-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Library Knowledge Bases
Date: Wed, 8 May 2002 16:01:55 -0500
From: Gerry Mckiernan <gerrymck@IASTATE.EDU>

                                   Library Knowledge Bases

   I am greatly interested in learning about other Library Knowledge Bases
for inclusion in my working registry KBL(sm): A Registry of Library
Knowledge Bases

         [  http://www.public.iastate.edu/~CYBERSTACKS/KBL.htm ]

[I'm particularly fond of the image used for this registry and its
associated link :->]

  Excellent examples of Library Knowledge Bases include

VID Knowledge Base 2000-2001 [http://libweb.mnsfld.edu/vid/vid-kb.asp ]

and

EARS (Electronic Access to Reference Services)
[http://library.unn.ac.uk/ears/ ]

Perhaps the most sophisticated Knowledge Base is the one planned as part
of the OPAL Project, "an eighteen month research project which is
exploring the development of a fully automated online 24/7 reference
service for students." [BTW: OPAL = Online Personal Academic Librarian]
[ http://oulib1.open.ac.uk/wh/research/opal/]

"The project team is currently developing and testing a prototype
automated reference system designed to answer common questions from
[Open University] distance learners."
[ http://oulib1.open.ac.uk/wh/research/opal/intro.html ]

   As Always, Any and All contributions, questions, comments,
critiques,  or  Cosmic Insights, are Most Welcome.

  Regards

/Gerry McKiernan
Theoretical Librarian
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50011

gerrymck@iastate.edu