Robert Saxton Taylor 1918-2009.[1]
Taylor's professional career: Lehigh University: Librarian 1956-67; Prof. and Director of the Center for the Information Sciencea; Director of Library Center and Prof. of Language and Communications, Hampshire College 1967-72; Syracuse University School of Information Studies : Professor 1972-83; Dean 1972-81.
He published articles in user studies. He used the value-added approach to information services.
In 1956, he was named a Fulbright Lecturer.
In 1963, Taylor argued behavioral sciences provide fundamental approach to information science, as well as logic and mathematics, linguistics, and systems analysis. Taylor suggested breaking the 4 approaches to information science into information sciences and information engineering. Information engineering would apply to any discussion of the development, design, or operation of information systems, indexing and abstracting services, information services, etc.
In 1972, Taylor received an award for the Best Information Science Book from ASIS (now ASIST - The American Society for Information Science and Technology), and in 1992 received that organization's Award of Merit.[2]
Taylor served on the ASIS Executive Council from 1959–61, and was elected President in 1968.
In 1986, Taylor published "Value-added processes in information systems" (Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing). In this work, he presented his important User Criteia and Value-Added framework, including the six categories of value-added services in library and information systems: Ease of use; Noise reduction; Quality; Adaptability; Time savings; Cost savings.[3]
His papers have been deposited at Syracuse University Library, in the Special Collections Division - but have not yet been processed.
In a 1987 New York Times Magazine article, Ted Morgan cites U.S. government reports that Taylor was the member of the U.S. Counter Intelligence Corps (C.I.C.) that recruited Klaus Barbie (the "Butcher of Lyon") to work for the post-war allies in Europe. [4]
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