Navigator Interface

The Yale University Science Libraries have implemented a Navigator system, designed by David Stern (former Director of Science Libraries and Information Services), that helps users determine - and in many cases transparently link to - the most appropriate source for their information need(s) in the sciences.

This approach begins with the type of information desired ... a definition, short description, annual review, the latest information, etc ... and then moves on to subject and source determination. It assumes that users have no idea of the plethora of resources available upon entering an information maze. It attempts to identify the best and other relevant sources for a particular need.

An expert system is one in which the knowledge of experts is embedded into a programmatic system.

Some `expert' portions of the Navigator system are:

• 1. the logical series of questions that determine which [what type] of information source is required (i.e. encyclopedia vs journal article)
  ((this emulates the accumulated knowledge of a good reference librarian)),

• 2. the subject-specialist linking of related databases within the `Consider these other databases' portions of the help,

• 3. the selection of databases to be presented
  ((filtering from among the many possible options)),

• 4. the redirections that help mistaken selectors find the better/ more appropriate tools for their desired information
  ((finding journal article title words as opposed to journal name words)),

• 5. customized views for different user populations
  ((i.e. the Geology vs Physics pages with differing options)).

I am delighted that you have chosen to review the Yale Science Libraries WWW NAVIGATOR, including the HELP expert systems component. I would welcome any constructive critisism that you might be willing to share.

The major requirements for the development of this site were:

(1) expertise developed through years of science librarians' activities,
(2) the development of adequate HTML capabilities to build web pages,
(3) the development of adequate web server support to load and maintain these tools
(including simple web pages, search capabilities, and cgi scripting),
(4) the development of a scheme to structure the many non-linear connections,
(5) the time to build these pages, links, and webbed algorithms

The next stage of this tool will be the creation of a background database (using Microsoft ACCESS) and the implementation of a SQL search capability to create web pages on-the-fly according to user prompts and selected characteristics. This will make the complex links and redirections among related objects automatic (or at least much simpler based upon standard database properties and HTML conventions).

The only published (or paper) documentation of this system, which is intended to be self-explanatory and training-free, is:

"Expert systems: HTML, the WWW, and the Librarian" Computers in Libraries 15 (4): 56-58 (April 1995).

Biographical information:

David Stern is former Director of Science Libraries and Information Services, Yale University. His research involves electronic retrieval and transmission of data, focused primarily upon scholars workstations. He is currently involved in the development of end-user search systems for both local and remote hosts.

His current research efforts focus on the following area:

Interfaces (expert systems)
The Yale University Science Libraries have developed intelligent front-end interfaces using nested WWW HTML screens. These non-linear pathways direct users to the most appropriate types of sources for their particular needs. Further specificity identifies the best source for a specific need.

( http://www.library.yale.edu/science/help/sources.html )

Communications should be addressed to:
Joe Murphy,
Kline Science Library,
Yale University,
219 Prospect Street,
P.O. Box 208111,
New Haven, CT 06520-8111,