Isn't this the same idea as the Office Assistant helper program found in
applications like MS Word? Will it be proactive and offer suggestions?

It might be possible to produce this in a highly constrained world like
the catalogue where you can predict the majority of problems a user might
have. However I would be wary of trying to extend it to more general
information access/retrieval or library use areas within the time
constraints of an MSc programme.

John Smith,
The Templeman Library,
University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.

On Fri, 4 Jun 2004, Oladeji Famakinwa wrote:

> Not quite. An Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS) is like a
> repository of knowledge captured in short "bites" that can be delivered to
> people performing specific tasks to assist them. Hence they receive more or
> less on-the-job training and skills as the task is being performed with
> information being provided when it is needed in the right quantity.
>
> The Catalogue is just one of many services provided by the library. But an
> EPSS could improve people's experience in using the catalogue in the
> following possible ways:
>
> 1. The catalogue for books available would say (through a shelfmark) where
> the book can be found in the library. If the user is not familiar with the
> layout of the library he or she is now stuck. They can then turn to the
> help desk personnel (presuming they summon the courage) or make attempts on
> their own to locate it.
>
> 2. For items not found in the catalogue many people are not aware of the
> other services the library provides in acquiring those items for them or
> alternative places they can continue their search. An EPSS could provide
> valuable assistance and direction in this area.
>
> Thanks.
>
> regards,
> Deji.
>
>
> On Wed, 2 Jun 2004 11:26:40 +0100, Andrew Buxton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> >Isn't this the library catalogue re-invented?
> >
> >Andrew Buxton
> >IDS, Brighton
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Oladeji Famakinwa [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> >Sent: 01 June 2004 23:11
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Electronic Performance Support System for Libraries
> >
> >
> >Hello LIS-LINK,
> >
> >I am presently working on designing and implementing an Electronic
> >Performance Support System (EPSS) for libraries as part of my MSc work
> >at
> >the University of Teesside. I would like to know if members of this list
> >are aware of any work that my have been done in this area?
> >
> >By the way an EPSS is an electronic system that provides integrated, on-
> >demand access to information, advice, learning experiences, and tools to
> >enable a high level of task performance with a minimum of support from
> >other people. Essentially we're trying to see how such a system could
> >assist library users in improving their library experience.
> >
> >Thank you very much for your time.
> >
> >regards,
> >Deji.
> >
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> those of IDS.
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