If computer databases can organize large formal information collections, perhaps they can also help individuals to organize their personal collections. For example, perhaps software can help scholars access their copious personal collections of books, papers, notes, and correspondence in ways that makes them just as accessible as library catalogs and web-based search engines.

The Wide Area Information Server (WAIS) project in the early 90's was one of the first attempts to construct such a tool. Based on the Z39.50 protocol, users could develop personal information collections that were full-text searchable through user-friendly tools. Because this protocol also forms the basis for information sharing among library catalogs and other large databases, users could move smoothly between formal and personal information collections using the same search tools. The software technology within WAIS has been absorbed within commercial search engines, such as AltaVista, but WAIS has largely disappeared as a named entity.

Meanwhile, other groups are continuing the research ways to organize personal collections. Some examples include:

• Project Haystack at MIT