University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Queens College of the City University of New York will investigate the use of automated Help systems provided by digital libraries. Digital library users to do not have the same level of support as do users of physical libraries, especially in the help seeking process. The great promise of digital libraries-universal access-will go unrealized if people cannot learn to use them effectively. The project will compare automated Help systems with human help interactions to develop effective automated interaction strategies. The project will also develop design principles for automated Help systems for the novice user of digital libraries.