Collaborating in information space

摘要

This paper describes the development of subject-based information spaces at the BT Labs Digital Library. These information spaces are built and maintained both by library professionals and by end-users. The spaces form a browsable and searchable information source on topics of interest to library users. Any library user can create an information space for their own use. If they wish, they can publish their space so that other users can share this resource. The spaces improve information retrieval and navigation because they are subject focused. At present, Information Spaces are fed with content from traditional databases, such as Inspec. In the future, they will be enhanced with information from other sources, such as users' bookmark files and the results of internet searches. Basic relevance-ranked retrieval has been supplemented by building knowledge of the databases' metadata into the search tool. Users are encouraged by the interface to browse through the spaces by keyword, classification code and other features rather than rely on simple keyword searching. Database records are enhanced with links through to the full text of journal articles, where these are available, or to the Library's disintermediated document delivery system where an online version of the article is not available.