Abstract. Users as actors in interactive information retrieval (IIR) are seen in the contexts of their perceived work tasks and information seeking behaviour. The paper models IIR processes by demonstrating a variety of approaches, ranging from Ingwersen´s cognitive communication model for IR interaction, over Saraceveic ´ stratified model which includes a typology of relevance conceptions, to Borlund´s model of work task perception, information need development and relevance assessments. Other associated models and perspectives of IIR are discussed when appropriate to the major focus points of the contribution: information need development and typology; understanding of relevance in IIR; and experimental problems in IIR. 1

Uncertainty, in general, is a fundamental aspect of human activity and underlies much of our decision making. The notion of uncertainty in information seeking, in particular, dates back to Shannon and Weaver (1949) and since then has been investigated in many forms. Kulthau’s (1993) work on information uncertainty is perhaps the most extensive. Through two specific examples, this article proposes uncertainty as a unifying heuristic in information architecture. Measurements of uncertainty can serve a diagnostic function in both the design and evaluation of information technologies and user interfaces. As a relatively new field of practice and study, information architecture borrows from established disciplines, such as computer science, human-computer interaction, and graphic design. Historically, library and information science (LIS) has proven to be a major source of guidance and of inspiration. For instance, existing knowledge from LIS on controlled vocabularies and facets informs thought on those subjects in information architecture. Borrowing from prior research in information-seeking behaviour, this essay explores the idea of identifying a common, overarching principle in information

Librarians and the claiming of new roles: how can we try to make a difference?

THISARTICLE EXAMINES THE QUESTION, “What differences do libraries and librarians make? ” primarily from the perspective of geographical communities. The article first states the reasons why this is an essential research question and describes the contributions of current public library planning tools to the determination of impact. It then takes a broad look at the framework that is essential for the intellectual development of this topic and the ability to answer the question, including methodological approaches and theoretical frameworks that will be discussed throughout. While the authors pose this research problem as an evaluation question, this article examines contributions of research in several areas-particularly professional prac-tice, especially reference research that has been informed by qualitative methods-to its solution. Finally, the authors examine approaches to studying context as a framework for determining the impacts of library services and include a brief presentation of findings from a recent study of “How

The concept of value co-creation and its notion of the customer as co-creator of value have gained much academic interest, notably in marketing and operations research. While several competing perspectives have been conceptually discussed in literature, research on the practical implications of value co-creation is scarce. Using the example of sales-oriented advisory, we show gaps between existing co-creation concepts and current practice in five problem areas. We develop four general solution perspectives on the advisor-client encounter as guidelines to overcome these gaps and discuss design requirements of their technological instantiations in advisory support systems. We present exemplary implementations of such systems in two domains: travel counseling and financial advisory. Revealing the practical implications of value co-creation on advisory encounters, these examples also demonstrate that the solution perspectives have to be implemented quite differently for individual domains.