Text Retrieval Systems for Libraries: an overview

Abstract

Text retrieval (TR) systems are also commonly referred to as information retrieval (IR) systems. Essentially they can be thought of as being equivalent to the cataloguing and OPAC modules of library housekeeping systems — but with a difference. They are especially suited to the “special library or information unit, or a special collection within a larger library system”: this is particularly true where the stock to be catalogued is non‐standard material such as report literature, conference proceedings, journal articles. TR systems are more useful than housekeeping systems when the record contains a great deal of text — for example, a lengthy abstract or the full text of an article, report or letter.

Citation

(1992), "Text Retrieval Systems for Libraries: an overview", VINE, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 3-8. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb040479