The Central Library and Documentation branch of the ILO conducted a survey of users' needs to enable it to adapt its catalogue system to deal with the problems of scattered…
Abstract
The Central Library and Documentation branch of the ILO conducted a survey of users' needs to enable it to adapt its catalogue system to deal with the problems of scattered offices and a wide range of subject‐interests. A cross‐section of the CLD's users was interviewed, and filled out questionnaires which dealt with documentation needs in general, but focused in particular on the use made of the existing catalogues and what users ideally required. Results confirmed that the existing catalogue was too inaccessible, and indicated the type of indexes which, used in a system of co‐ordinate indexing, could make documents more easily known and available.
Information retrieval is a new name for an old problem, and a new name may emphasize new elements to the neglect of the old. Information, whether defined as transferable…
Abstract
Information retrieval is a new name for an old problem, and a new name may emphasize new elements to the neglect of the old. Information, whether defined as transferable knowledge, or the records of such knowledge, is expanding so rapidly in content and quantity as to make it in effect a new element. Here we use the term ‘information’ to mean both the documents and their contents; both have dramatic new dimensions. The effort to keep up with the accelerating output of information has required the development of new methods and patterns in retrieval systems. The retrieval of information, in our meaning here, may involve locating a fact or locating a document; in either case there are new approaches and new tools available and necessary.