I recently went to the Nova Southeastern University's library and found a book on information retrieval. I wanted to touch on a couple of very important sections of the book that I found pertinent to information retrieval and the librarian's role in it. According to Meadow, Boyce, Kraft, & Barry (2007), one type of information retrieval is called interactive information retrieval which is found today in three primary modes:

(1) A local system operating in one single computer that has a database and software used to retrieve the information,
(2) A central service containing many databases that usually have one system used for retrieval which is operated remotely with the use of a telecommunications network for access, and
(3) A search engine that is on the Web that searches for sites of others, as it does not have its own database (p. 3-4).

It is very important to understand that in information retrieval, there is almost never just one way to access the information that is needed. Librarians, or information specialists, are generally expected to know within their institution:
1. What kinds of information is available
2. The mechanics of using the information systems
3. The common terminology used, and
4. The methods of performing a reference interview (Meadow, Boyce, Kraft, & Barry, 2007, p. 17).

Finally, Meadow, Boyce, Kraft, & Barry (2007) mention the role of a "search intermediary" in which the librarian "compliments the user's knowledge of subject matter with knowledge of how to search" (p. 291) This is a very important role, as it includes helping with understanding the range of sources, knowledge of database content and structure, knowledge of seach engine variations and communication procedures, how to use post-processing functions that are available, and how to conduct the reference interview effectively to help the user realistically interpret and evaluate the output (Meadow, Boyce, Kraft, & Barry, 2007, p. 291).

Meadow, C. T., Bert, B. R., Kraft, D. H., & Barry, C. (2007). Text informatin retrieval systems. Amsterdam: Academic Press.

Click on the image above to view the chart at it's full size.

This is a modified version from one located at http://www.cdtl.nus.edu.sg/brief/v6n6/sec4-1.gif
Based on this project, I have modified this chart to show the chart from the librarian's perspective, especially in helping a customer retrieve information through the library in such a way that they could perhaps do it again themselves.

Leng, Y. L. (2003, June). Bibliographic instruction: Search strategy for graduate students . Retrieved April 14, 2008, from CDTL Brief Web site: http://www.cdtl.nus.edu.sg/brief/V6n6/sec4.htm