How is a Document Relevant?
Michael Buckland
The concept of relevance is central to information studies but has resisted clear analysis. Prior discussion at the Seminar led to (i) a narrow definition of relevance as transient, existing only during reasoning, and (ii) a linear model relating contexts, documents, document properties (aka affordances or powers), perceptions, and reasoning. I will discuss this model more fully with special attention to properties and reasoning. This builds on recent work with Wayne de Fremery.
This seminar will be held both online & in person. You are welcome to join us either in South Hall or via Zoom.
For online participants
Online participants must have a Zoom account and be logged in. Sign up for your free account here. If this is your first time using Zoom, please allow a few extra minutes to download and install the browser plugin or mobile app.
Michael Buckland is emeritus professor in the School of Information and co-director of the Electronic Cultural Atlas Initiative. He grew up in England and studied history at Oxford and librarianship at Sheffield University. He trained at the Bodleian Library in Oxford and moved to the University of Lancaster Library in 1965. In 1972, Buckland moved to the United States to be Assistant Director of Libraries for Technical Services at Purdue University Libraries before becoming Dean of the School of Library and Information Studies at Berkeley from 1976 to 1984. He served from 1983 to 1987 as Assistant Vice President for Library Plans and Policies for the nine campuses of the University of California. Professor Buckland’s interests include bibliography, library services, search and discovery, cultural heritage, and the history and theory of documentation.
Contact
If you have questions about this event, please contact Michael Buckland.
