The Process of Question Answering
The Process of Question Answering

Author: Wendy G. Lehnert

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2022-11-01

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 1000649172

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Originally published in 1978, The Process of Question Answering examines a phenomenon that relies on many realms of human cognition: language comprehension, memory retrieval, and language generation. Problems in computational question answering assume a new perspective when question answering is viewed as a problem in natural language processing. A theory of human question answering must necessarily entail a theory of human memory organization and theories of the cognitive processes that access and manipulate information in memory. This book describes question answering as a particular task in information processing. The theoretical models described here have been built on a formulation of general theories in natural language processing: theories about language that were developed without the specific problem of question answering in mind. By requiring programmers to be concerned with the precise form of information in memory, and the precise operations manipulating that information, they can uncover significant problems that would otherwise be overlooked. An early insight into artificial intelligence, today this reissue can be enjoyed in its historical context.

Conducting the Reference Interview, Third Edition
Conducting the Reference Interview, Third Edition

Author: Catherine Sheldrick Ross

Publisher: American Library Association

Published: 2019-07-03

Total Pages: 345

ISBN-13: 0838917275

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Based on the latest research in communication theory but tailored specifically for real-world application, this updated manual speaks equally to the needs of students preparing to enter the profession and those who are already fielding reference inquiries. The authors, working in consultation with a stellar advisory board of scholars and practitioners, present a convenient and comprehensive resource that will teach you how to understand the needs of public, academic, and special library users across any virtual setting—including email, text messaging, and social media—as well as in traditional and face-to-face models of communication. Packed with exercises and examples to help you practice effective reference transactions and avoid common pitfalls, this book tackles the fundamentals of the reference interview, from why it’s important in the first place to methods for setting the stage for a successful interview and techniques for finding out what the library user really wants to know; covers the ins and outs of the readers’ advisory interview; examines a wide range of contexts, such as children, young adults, parents, seniors, adults from diverse communities, and those with disabilities; presents case studies of innovative reference and user encounters at a variety of libraries; offers updated coverage of virtual reference, including new research, virtual reality transcripts, and a look at crowd-sourcing reference via social media; features new content on common microaggressions, with guidance on how to use awareness of emotion as a factor in reference interactions to ensure better outcomes; discusses topics such as respecting/protecting privacy, overcoming assumptions, implicit judgment, the importance of context, determining the real information need, and many other lessons learned from challenging reference encounters; and thoroughly addresses policy and training procedures, as well as the unique challenges faced by paraprofessionals and non-degreed staff. Find your bearings in the continually evolving hybrid reference environment through proven strategies, advice, exercises, and research from three experts in the field.

Reference and Information Services
Reference and Information Services

Author: Kay Ann Cassell

Publisher: American Library Association

Published: 2023-01-17

Total Pages: 537

ISBN-13: 083893644X

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From the ongoing flood of misinformation to the swift changes occasioned by the pandemic, a myriad of factors is spurring our profession to rethink reference services. Luckily, this classic text is back in a newly overhauled edition that thoughtfully addresses the evolving reference landscape. Designed to complement every introductory library reference course, Cassell and Hiremath's book also serves as the perfect resource to guide current practitioners in their day-to-day work. It teaches failsafe methods for identifying important materials by matching specific types of questions to the best available sources, regardless of format. Guided by a national advisory board of educators and experts, this thoroughly updated text presents chapters covering fundamental concepts, major reference sources, and special topics while also offering fresh insights on timely issues, including a basic template for the skills required and expectations demanded of the reference librarian; the pandemic’s effect on reference services and how the ingenuity employed by libraries in providing remote and virtual reference is here to stay; a new chapter dedicated to health information, with a special focus on health equity and information sources; selecting and evaluating reference materials, with strategies for keeping up to date; a heightened emphasis on techniques for evaluating sources for misinformation and ways to give library users the tools to discern facts vs. “fake facts”; reference as programming, readers’ advisory services, developmentally appropriate material for children and young adults, and information literacy; evidence-based guidance on handling microaggressions in reference interactions, featuring discussions of cultural humility and competence alongside recommended resources on implicit bias; managing, assessing, and improving reference services; and the future of information and reference services, encapsulating existing models, materials, and services to project possible evolutions in the dynamic world of reference

Digital Library and Information Developments
Digital Library and Information Developments

Author: Ray Booth

Publisher: Scientific e-Resources

Published: 2018-09-24

Total Pages: 334

ISBN-13: 1839473061

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The information technology explosion and its applications in every aspect of life have changed the entire scenario of the present world. The IT revolution and information explosion has led to the emergence of electronic information era. Advanced in internet technologies have made it seemingly possible and easy to create digital collections, repositories, archives and libraries. However, supporting diverse information usages that facilitate interaction beyond searching and browsing is in the early stages. Interactive digital libraries and digital archives are still evolving. The digital preservation techniques have brought revolutionary changes in the organization and management of libraries and archives. Digital Library improves the organizational efficiencies by leveraging data processing, data storage and data communication technologies. Existing network facilities can be utilized to achieve great savings in labour costs and the reduction of paper storage and handling facilities. This book has written for use in Library and Information Science professionals and students. It will be useful of all levels of Library and Information Science Professionals and Students. It will also helpful for those preparing for organizing Digital Library in their own premises. This book aims to delineate for the readers the principles, methods and techniques which are involved in the digital library management and information development.

Ask a Manager
Ask a Manager

Author: Alison Green

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Published: 2018-05-01

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 0399181822

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From the creator of the popular website Ask a Manager and New York’s work-advice columnist comes a witty, practical guide to 200 difficult professional conversations—featuring all-new advice! There’s a reason Alison Green has been called “the Dear Abby of the work world.” Ten years as a workplace-advice columnist have taught her that people avoid awkward conversations in the office because they simply don’t know what to say. Thankfully, Green does—and in this incredibly helpful book, she tackles the tough discussions you may need to have during your career. You’ll learn what to say when • coworkers push their work on you—then take credit for it • you accidentally trash-talk someone in an email then hit “reply all” • you’re being micromanaged—or not being managed at all • you catch a colleague in a lie • your boss seems unhappy with your work • your cubemate’s loud speakerphone is making you homicidal • you got drunk at the holiday party Praise for Ask a Manager “A must-read for anyone who works . . . [Alison Green’s] advice boils down to the idea that you should be professional (even when others are not) and that communicating in a straightforward manner with candor and kindness will get you far, no matter where you work.”—Booklist (starred review) “The author’s friendly, warm, no-nonsense writing is a pleasure to read, and her advice can be widely applied to relationships in all areas of readers’ lives. Ideal for anyone new to the job market or new to management, or anyone hoping to improve their work experience.”—Library Journal (starred review) “I am a huge fan of Alison Green’s Ask a Manager column. This book is even better. It teaches us how to deal with many of the most vexing big and little problems in our workplaces—and to do so with grace, confidence, and a sense of humor.”—Robert Sutton, Stanford professor and author of The No Asshole Rule and The Asshole Survival Guide “Ask a Manager is the ultimate playbook for navigating the traditional workforce in a diplomatic but firm way.”—Erin Lowry, author of Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together

The Principal
The Principal

Author: Bruce M. Whitehead

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Published: 2012-10-17

Total Pages: 521

ISBN-13: 1483305759

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The path to becoming a leader for your students, faculty, and community begins here. The Principal: Leadership for a Global Society is the core textbook for aspiring and practicing K-12 school principals. Taking a practical and research-grounded approach, this inspiring text prepares school leaders to successfully face the challenges that they will deal with on a day-to-day basis and throughout their careers. From curriculum development to staff development to policy and discipline, it addresses the most up-to-date practices in developing leadership skills. The book provides a wide array of pedagogical features to help practicing and aspiring school principals improve programs, create a safer and more enriching environment for students and faculty; meet school, district, community, state, and national ideologies and standards; and much more. After reading The Principal, the educational leaders of tomorrow will be equipped with innovative, practical, and successful leadership concepts and ideas that will help them make a powerful impact on not just those who walk through the school doors, but the community as well.

Reference Assessment and Evaluation
Reference Assessment and Evaluation

Author: Tom Diamond

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-01-11

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 1136445994

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Learn effective ways to assess and evaluate reference services in YOUR library Innovation and the constant evolution of technology continually spur academic librarians to find superior ways to deliver high quality reference service to students, faculty, and researchers. Reference Assessment and Evaluation offers librarians and administrators a plethora of fresh ideas and methods to effectively assess and evaluate reference service in any academic library. Leading experts share their own best practices in delivering digital reference, training staff and student workers, and providing instruction through case studies from academic libraries of all sizes. Because of fiscal pressures, the need to attract the best and brightest students and faculty to the academy, and increased competition from Internet search engines, the evaluation and assessment of reference service remains one of the most important challenges for academic libraries. Reference Assessment and Evaluation provides practical tips and clear examples on assessing and evaluating several diverse aspects of reference services. This book discusses in detail case studies from various colleges and universities on wide-ranging issues such as virtual reference evaluation, merging reference desks, peer evaluations, library instruction, and staff development. Academic libraries of all types will find opportunities to modify these innovative ideas to remain at the forefront of reference service. Topics in Reference Assessment and Evaluation include: a case study of the library at the University of Colorado at Boulder’s efforts to implement a drop-in research consultation program for students enrolled in the introductory writing course coordination of an annual professional development program for specialized instruction targeted at faculty and staff members at Colorado State University peer observation between the reference staff members of Augustana College Library and St. Ambrose University Library the merging of San Jose State University’s government publication desk with the reference services desk—along with the public library’s reference desk Valparaiso University’s main library’s training and use of student assistants analyzing user and librarian satisfaction within virtual reference transactions evaluation of the University of South Alabama’s Baugh Biomedical Library’s chat reference service evaluation of the University of Texas at Arlington’s virtual reference service library technology’s impact on reference desk statistics statistical analysis of reference desk data for staffing needs at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Reference Assessment and Evaluation is timely, important reading for academic references librarians and supervisors.