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Date:         Mon, 14 Dec 1992 10:02:03 CST
From:         CJORGENSEN%COLGATEU.BITNET@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Subject:      "Expert" system for government documents reference

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Fellow Govdocs-L subscribers:
     My name is Corinne Jorgensen and I am a Ph. D. student at
Syracuse University. I am doing a research practicum with Dr.
Charles McClure developing specifications for an "expert" system for
assisting government depository library patrons in finding and using
government documents. I have had previous experience developing such
a system for general reference work, and because finding and using
government documents is problematic for many patrons this project
seems to be a useful extension of this work. It is my hope to be
testing a prototype system by spring of 1993.

     The main concern of this project is twofold: to create a clear,
usable framework for intellectual access to government information,
and to describe the contents of such a system. Research of this type
could also be applied to the need for accessing electronically-
stored government information through proposed projects such as
WINDO.

The objectives of the research are to identify:
1. The various aspects of government information that are frequently
   and widely sought in a college, university, or large public
   library.
2. Common research activities, such as compiling a legislative
   history, which create a demand for government information
3. The processes of seeking information about specific subjects
   (how people categorize their needs)
4. Methods commonly used to instruct library patrons in the use
   of government documents
5. Other extant systems for assisting patrons in using
   government documents

     I would like to ask for your input on this project and would be
grateful if you would answer the following questions (but please
don't feel limited by these questions either - I would like to hear
any and all ideas). Please reply to me directly and I will summarize
for the list. I will also keep those of you who express an interest
informed of my progress! Please send replies to:
BITNET:    CJORGENSEN@COLGATEU
INTERNET:  CJORGENSEN@CENTER.COLGATE.EDU
(these are different addresses than my GOVDOCS-L address).

You may respond by simply typing answers to the questions in
numerical order. Please respond by January 5.

1. What do you think the primary goal(s) of an expert system
   for government documents should be? (Inclusive, selective, a filter,
   a pointing tool, an instructional tool, etc.)

2. What do you perceive as the benefits of having such a system
   available? Which group (the users, the librarians, para-
   professionals or student assistants) would experience the greatest
   benefits?

3. What areas in government documents are in greatest need of
   such an approach? (Support for undergraduate information needs,
   advanced research, specific course requirements, community
   information needs, computerized/online resources, etc.)

4. What are the most frequently-asked questions about
   government documents that you encounter? Have there been any significant
   changes in these recently?

5. What are the most frequently-used sources for answering
   these questions?

6. Do you encounter a significant number of 'process' questions
   as opposed to 'topic' questions? If so, what are they? (By process
   question I mean one that requires tracking through time, such as a
   legislative history, or one that involves progressively more complex
   sources).

7. What instructional methods for government documents are
   currently used in your library? To what extent do you think an
   expert system could assist in instruction?

8. Would users in your library use such a system (assuming it
   is easy to use)?

9. Do you know of other existing systems or systems under
   development for assisting or teaching patrons in the area of
   government documents? (I am familiar with POINTER and the GDRA
   project at Stanford).

And now, a few demographic questions:
1. Type of library/size of institution:
2. Degree/Position held:
3. Number of years directly assisting patrons with government
   documents:

Thank you for your help in this project - I am looking forward
to your replies!