Kelly writes “Meet Lillian, the Virtual Librarian, online. According to her creator:
She is designed to answer user queries about books, and particularly library holdings. As well as being able to tell a user if a library holds a particular book she can also: Deep link them to the library’s own holdings page for the book, which may have availability and reservation data; direct them to another library that holds the book if the local library doesn’t; direct them to the right page on Amazon if the book is not held; advise them of books by a particular author held; advise them of books on a particular subject held; tell them what the book is about; tell them what other people thought of the book; tell them what books people like who also liked this book.
I was unable to get her to “understand” the name of various major towns in England, or even the suggested town of Bury; perhaps others will have better luck. My exchange fared little better — it reminded me of that old Interview with the Search Engine. We’re a long way from Vox.
Lillian
Lillian’s cute. When I saw her this AM, I don’t think she had glasses. Now, late in the PM, she does. Unfortunately, still can’t get her to find “Bury” or any other city in UK.
Re:Lillian
Well, she recognized Leeds. And if you hit the back button after several lines of conversation, she will repeat it all, backwards. That is quite a talent.
Re:Lillian
I couldn’t get to understand Leeds or Manchester or London or Brighton. Maybe you need to be more localized?
Lillian doesn’t have the answers
Lillian’s a big pain.
Here’s a bit of our conversation, transcribed:
You: when is the library open
lillian: Say again?
You: when is the library open
lillian: Why have you said the same thing twice?
You: cause you didn’t understand
lillian: Sorry, I didn’t understand. Could you re-phrase it? I can only talk about things to do with library access and books
You: I want a book
lillian: Why have you said the same thing twice?
You: I want a book on mushrooms
lillian: Say again?
You: I want a reference book of mushrooms
lillian: Sorry, I didn’t understand. Could you re-phrase it? I can only talk about things to do with library access and books
You: mUSHROOMS OF THE FOREST
lillian: Say again?
You: mushrooms of the forest
lillian: Say again?
You: MUSHROOMS OF THE FOREST
lillian: Sorry, I didn’t understand. Could you re-phrase it? I can only talk about things to do with library access and books
and on and on about shitakes, portobellos, etc. etc. etc.