Information retrieval linguistic instruments in e-catalogs of Russian large libraries

Abstract

The article is based on the findings of the study of linguistic instruments of information search used in e-catalogs of Russian largest libraries. For the study, the libraries with the collections of over 4 million entries were sele cted. The authors analyze search types applicable to e-catalog search interface. They specify the following search types applied in the above libraries: single-line (simple) search, standard (basic), advanced and professional search. The advanced search options are discussed, namely refinement systems, ranking and sorting of search results; at least one of these options is used in the e-catalogs under study. The authors also analyze the systems of search dictionaries, guidelines and use characteristics. The popular information retrieval languages are discussed with the conclusion made that the e-catalogs under study offer search options for various sets of bibliographic elements, among them author, title, year of publication, and subject search based on verbal languages (every library under study) and classification languages (majority of the libraries). The authors formulate the common features inherent in the libraries' e-catalogs and information retrieval linguistic instruments. They also offer recommendations on how to develop and efficiently use these instruments for upgrading library e-catalogs.