Introduction. In a working meeting recently, I heard a phrase like "attracting knowledge". The image that came to mind was someone entering the library to find books and articles flowing "magnetically" to them without the patron having to search for each item. Here are some thoughts about library service due in part to hearing that phrase.
Example. Visitors of Bill Gates at his house have the option of receiving information services like that. Visitors wear an identifier pen, and sensors determine where the pen is within the house and adjust settings according to the visitor's previously recorded requests. So, a person can listen to classical music while walking from room to room through the house, and the music and lights turn on in the room they approach and turn off in the room they walk out of.
Application. One method of storing and using that kind of information in a library is research profiles. (Related phrases include "current awareness service" and "selective dissemination of information".) A research profile is a continuing request for particular information. When a research profile is stored in computer form, then the information within the profile can be used by library personnel or as part of the technology that we use in serving patrons. One fairly easy application is using part of the data that a research profile should include--keywords of the research description--for the purpose of identifying a set of related databases that patrons could search. For example, when a patron begins to search for databases, he or she could input "airplanes" as the general research description and then be offered a list of databases (with availability information) that should have information about airplanes. Direct use of research profile information could have the list of databases having to do with airplanes be offered to the patron at login without the need of inputting a keyword.
Other applications include email reporting of the following automated services - searches of local bibliographic applications, receipt of journals, search request validation, extended listing of related research collections, book availability, and WWW searches.
These kinds of applications use what seems to be well-known computer technologies like databases, scripting, and a set of applications designed to be accessible through scripting languages. The script is written to do the work of the computer user. The script gets the particulars from the research profile, performs searches, and sends the report to the email address from the research profile.
Another level of service may be imagined through the use of computer programs called intelligent agents. Patrons could interact with a library expert system through the WWW or could invite the collaboration of an intelligent agent.
(list of articles)
Should the search be continued now or in an email report? (Yes, Email, or No)?
No
May the agent service offer a research comment?
Yes
There is a noteable number of references to CO2 generation in plants in recent articles about photosynthesis. An increasing trend has been observed in recent articles
about photosynthesis having to do with use of the phrases "computer model" and "computer simulation". Over 12 articles from scientific journals in the last year have referenced CO2 and computer applications of some kind without using the word "photosynthesis". (These items have not been listed in the search results. Please use the followup search request "expand" to branch off from the original search words.)
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Benefit. With a research profile available, reference work can be done outside the time of the customer's visit. The request could be forwarded to another work unit that has related information or available personnel to work with the request. Multiple profiles can be dispersed to workers according to subject specialization. Multiple requests for related information could either share the same answer or at least receive answers using shared content. Others who may benefit include subject selectors, patrons in knowing what databases to use, patrons receiving notice of new acquisitions, and new employees being introduced to the research of faculty in their subject specialization.
Data. Name, College, Field/Major, Email address, Campus Address, WWW address, Research Projects, Phases of projects, Information Level (for school or writing book), Courses taught/taken, When information is needed, Permitted level of profile use, Password, Logon ID.
Concerns. Privacy, additional work, unknown benefit, research profile could (possibly) be an optional library-defined record that could be linked to patron records within an integrated information system.
References (with A&M call numbers)
"Microcomputer-Based Faculty Profile", V. T. Borovansky, Information Technology and Libraries (Z678.9.A1 J68), v. 4, n. 4 (12/85) p. 300-5
"Faculty Research Profile Created for use in a University Library", Jeanne Richardson, Journal of Academic Librarianship (Z675.U5 J6), v. 16 (July '90) p. 154-7
"Creating and Using a Faculty Interests Database", M. F. Earl, Bulletin of the Medical Library Association (MSL Technical Services Stacks), v. 81, n. 1 (Jan 1993) p. 66-8
"A Current Awareness Service Using Microcomputer Databases and Electronic Mail", John T. Butler, College & Research libraries (Z 671 C6), v. 54, n. 2 (1993) p. 115-123
"Current-Awareness Service for Special-Libraries Using Microcomputer-Based Current-Contents on Diskette", R. S. Allen, Special Libraries (Z671 .S72), v. 85, n. 1 (Win 1994) p 35-43