I recall many arguments in the late 1980s about the role and value of thesauri, a crucial component in making information accessible. Somewhere along the line publications on this core issue of information organisation and retrieval diminished. In this book Shiri succeeds in bringing the power of thesauri to the forefront again. The role of thesauri in user interfaces across a spectrum of information retrieval systems are portrayed, ranging from bibliographic and full-text databases to digital libraries, portals, open archives and content management systems.
This is a well-structured and well-written publication. Ten chapters with clear and meaningful sub-headings (something to which I became very sensitive after recently reviewing a few other books) cover what the reader should know in order to grasp the power of thesauri. Chapter 1 introduces thesauri, moving from history to present day developments. Chapter 2 explores the role of thesauri in interactive information retrieval, Chapter 3 the user-centred approach to the evaluation of thesauri, and Chapter 4 the role of thesauri in web-based search systems. Chapter 5 moves on to thesaurus-based search and browsing functionalities in the latest standards for thesaurus construction, Chapter 6 deals with the design of search user interfaces for thesauri, and Chapter 7 with the design of user interfaces for multi-lingual and meta-thesauri. The last three Chapters (8-10), respectively, cover user-centred evaluation of thesauri-enhanced search user interfaces, guidelines for the design of thesaurus-enhanced search user interfaces, and in conclusion a reflection on current trends and developments. I especially appreciate the welcome reminder of information behaviour models such as the models of Marchionini (p. 45), Toms (p. 46), Larsen et al. (p. 52) and Vakkari (p. 55), as well as the reminder to relate information organisation and retrieval (and thus thesauri) to findings of studies of information behaviour.
Shiri states the object of the book is:
[…] to bring together research, development and scholarship from areas such as information retrieval, knowledge organization, human computer interaction, information architecture, and information search behaviour to emphasize the importance of effective and efficient user interfaces to thesauri for the purpose of supporting users in their information search process (p. xiii).
This is well achieved. Ali's command of the subject and ability to explain it clearly to the novice, but still keeping the interest of the expert scholar, is evident throughout the book. This is a very timely publication to remind us that it (thesauri) is a potent tool (Gilchrist – back cover). I fully agree with Marcia Bates (back cover) – “I'm really impressed”, and Peter Morville (back cover) – “A brilliant synthesis”. My addition would be that it is a must read publication for every trainer in information literacy. Information literacy programmes need to take up the challenge of bringing the power of thesauri, so aptly portrayed in this book, to students and scholars.
The volume has a 22 page index offering micro-level access to the content. Lists of references are offered at the end of each chapter; in this regard an additional comprehensive list of references at the end of the publication would have been useful. This book is aimed at information architects, taxonomists, web site developers, information and knowledge management professionals and scholars and students of library and information science and technology. I can whole-heartedly recommend it to this group.
