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We are pleased to announce the publication of a new book by Dr. Ali Shiri, Associate Professor in the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. * * *Powering Search: The Role of Thesauri in New Information Environments* By Ali Shiri Published on behalf of the American Society for Information Science and Technology by Information Today, Inc. (ASIS&T Monograph Series) http://books.infotoday.com/asist/Powering-Search.shtml This book provides a comprehensive treatment of the role of thesauri in search user interfaces across a range of information search and retrieval systems—from bibliographic and full-text databases to digital libraries, portals, open archives, and content management systems. It takes a new approach to thesauri by examining, analyzing and synthesizing perspectives, projects, practices, and services from a variety of communities who share an interest in thesauri, including search behavior, usability studies, search user interfaces, information architecture, and interactive information retrieval. The book addresses and examines the ways in which information retrieval thesauri, with sophisticated semantic networks, have been and are currently being used in a wide variety of web-based search and browsing user interfaces. Furthermore, the book provides a detailed discussion of empirical evaluations as well as usability studies that have made use of thesauri by a broad range of users, from online search specialists, indexers, and catalogers to end-users. * * *Table of Contents: * Chapter 1: Thesauri: Introduction and Recent Developments Chapter 2: Thesauri in Interactive Information Retrieval Chapter 3: User-centred Approach to the Evaluation of Thesauri: Query Formulation and Expansion Chapter 4: Thesauri in Web-based Search Systems Chapter 5: Thesaurus-based Search and Browsing Functionalities in New Thesaurus Construction Standards Chapter 6: Design of Search User Interfaces for Thesauri Chapter 7: Design of User Interfaces for Multilingual and Meta-thesauri Chapter 8: User-centred Evaluation of Thesaurus-enhanced Search User Interfaces Chapter 9: Guidelines for the Design of Thesaurus-enhanced Search User Interfaces Chapter 10: Current Trends and Developments "I'm really impressed! A unified vision of the enhancement of searching vocabulary throughout the current information technology world. Beautifully written, comprehensive, and revealing of the many possible uses of vocabulary enhancement in improving online searches." —Marcia J. Bates, editor, *Understanding Information Retrieval Systems**.*** "A brilliant synthesis that explains how controlled vocabularies and thesauri can be integrated with search systems to dramatically improve findability and the overall user experience. ... a must read for all information architects!" —Peter Morville, co-author, *Search Patterns: Design for Discovery**.* "This book is a significant contribution to the information management literature. As a reference book it is extremely well documented; lots of examples; covers the latest developments and research. Will be a useful resource for user interface developers."—Marjorie M. K. Hlava, president, Access Innovations, Inc. "After 50 years of evolution the thesaurus remains a potent tool. With experience of relevant practice-oriented research, Ali Shiri's account of the design, use, and evaluation of thesauri for interactive and web-based search and browsing is useful and readable." —Alan Gilchrist, Cura Consortium. ********************** October 2012, 336 pp. *hardbound/ISBN 978-1-57387-454-0*** Available from, amongst other stockists, http://books.infotoday.com/asist/Powering-Search.shtml http://www.amazon.com/Powering-Search-Thesauri-Information-Environments/dp/157387454X ______________________________________________________ Sophia Sherman, Office Administrator School of Library and Information Studies 3-20 Rutherford South University of Alberta Edmonton, AB T6G 2J4 Phone: (780)492-4578, Fax: (780)492-2430 E-mail: [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________ *CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This email message, including any attachments, is intended only for the exclusive view of named recipient(s) and may contain information that is confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you have received this message in error, or are not the named recipient(s), or it has been inappropriately forwarded to you, please immediately notify the original sender by reply email and delete this email message, including any attachments. Thank you.*