Subject Cataloging Research Articles

SOCIAL TAGGING AND THE NEXT STEPS FOR INDEXING

Social tagging, as a particular type of indexing, has thrown into question the nature of indexing. Is it a democratic process? Can we all benefit from user-created tags? What about the value added by professionals? Employing an evolving framework analysis, this paper addresses the question: what is next for indexing? Comparing social tagging and subject cataloguing; this paper identifies the points of similarity and difference that obtain between these two kinds of information organization frameworks. The subsequent comparative analysis of the parts of these frameworks points to the nature of indexing as an authored, personal, situational, and referential act, where differences in discursive placement divide these two species. Furthermore, this act is contingent on implicit and explicit understanding of purpose and tools available. This analysis allows us to outline desiderata for the next steps in indexing.

Why appoint professionals?

Students have provided cheap successful labour for routine retrospective cataloguing projects. The current article examines a library project which went further, using university students with minimum training to catalogue its undergraduate stock from the book in hand to AACR2, level 2, allegedly to professional standard. The article discusses the faults made in MARC coding, descriptive cataloguing and subject cataloguing, noting the nature of the errors and their results. The investigation concludes that intelligence alone does not guarantee library ability, and that cataloguing beyond the creation of minimum records is not an intuitive task to be picked up without training. Hidden expenses are attached. A derisory attitude towards library skills is unjustified, and a place remains for qualified librarians to do qualified library work.

Catalogue of Subjects in the Socio-medical Sciences for the German Medical Licensing Regulations (revised June 27, 2002)

Catalogue of Subjects in the Socio-medical Sciences for the German Medical Licensing Regulations (revised June 27, 2002)

Subject cataloging process of Slovenian and American catalogers

PurposeAn empirical study has shown that the real process of subject cataloging does not correspond entirely to theoretical descriptions in textbooks and international standards. The purpose of this is paper is to address the issue of whether it be possible for catalogers who have not received formal training to perform subject cataloging in a different way to their trained colleagues.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative study was conducted in 2001 among five Slovenian public library catalogers. The resulting model is compared to previous findings.FindingsFirst, all catalogers attempted to determine what the book was about. While the American catalogers tried to understand the topic and the author's intent, the Slovenian catalogers appeared to focus on the topic only. Slovenian and American academic library catalogers did not demonstrate any anticipation of possible uses that users might have of the book, while this was important for American public library catalogers. All catalogers used existing records to build new ones and/or to search for subject headings. The verification of subject representation with the indexing language was the last step in the subject cataloging process of American catalogers, often skipped by Slovenian catalogers.Research limitations/implicationsThe small and convenient sample limits the findings.Practical implicationsComparison of subject cataloging processes of Slovenian and American catalogers, two different groups, is important because they both contribute to OCLC's WorldCat database. If the cataloging community is building a universal catalog and approaches to subject description are different, then the resulting subject representations might also be different.Originality/valueThis is one of the very few empirical studies of subject cataloging and indexing.

Corporate body name changes: Helping the user search efficiently and effectively

The Library of Congress Subject Cataloging Manual: Subject Headings (H460 Name Changes in Non-Jurisdictional Corporate Bodies) instructs catalogers to assign the heading for the name used by the body during the latest period covered by the work being cataloged. If users want to find resources about corporate bodies that have changed names over time in the OPAC, they will often have to find them through “see also” references linking corporate names from earlier names to later names in the OPAC, which may be hard for users to understand. This paper aims to find a way to help users efficiently access works through the OPAC about corporate bodies that have changed names over time.

Putting it together online: Information need identification for the domain novice user

AbstractDomain novice users in the beginning stages of researching a topic find themselves searching for information via information retrieval (IR) systems before they have identified their information need. Pre‐Internet access technologies adapted by current IR systems poorly serve these domain novice users, whose behavior might be characterized as rudderless and without a compass. In this article we describe a conceptual design for an information retrieval system that incorporates standard information need identification classification and subject cataloging schemes, called the INIIReye System, and a study that tests the efficacy of the innovative part of the INIIReye System, called the Associative Index. The Associative Index helps the user put together his or her associative thoughts—Vannevar Bush's idea of associative indexing for his Memex machine that he never actually described. For the first time, data from the study reported here quantitatively supports the theoretical notion that the information seeker's information need is identified through transformation of his/her knowledge structure (i.e., the seeker's cognitive map or perspective on the task for which information is being sought).

Anforderungen an eine zukunftsorientierte Sozialmedizin

With the new national licensing regulations for physicians subsections of the social medicine became discrete subjects. The question arises, which contents the social medicine can have in the future, with consideration of important basic conditions. Such are the progress of medical knowledge, the representation of social medicine at medical faculties, changes of the medical supply, the transformation of jobs and the globalization. On a long-term basis effects of the demographic development, changes of the family structure and the financing of health and illness are important too. The social medicine should promptly make quality-assured contents available with consideration of the Internet. Such contents could be the comprehensive consultation, investigation and control of patient careers as well as the consultation and investigation from health problems in municipalities and in the society. In addition an inductive and practical oriented curriculum should be compiled, using the subject catalogue of the social medicine as well as a new basic textbook of social medicine.

Subject Indexing in the Servizio Bibliotecario Nazionale

SUMMARY Over the last ten years, the Servizio Bibliotecario Nazionale (SBN) has become the largest Italian network of bibliographic services. The creation of the SBN Index database and its growth through shared cataloging were the focus of attention during the early phase, and for years, discussion was limited to questions of author cataloging and bibliographic description. Subject cataloging was excluded from the cooperative activity of the member libraries. In 1990 the Working Group on Subject Headings and Classes was established to examine this situation. First, a partial solution was found, to permit the launch of the network itself. This was followed, several years later, by the development of the SBN OPAC and the creation of the file of subject headings and classes in the SBN Index. From an operational perspective, the choice was made to forego managing the subject headings file in accordance with shared cataloging principles, with mixed results. In order for the subject file to have broader coverage and to further encourage cooperative subject cataloging, the SBN Index Development Program, in which the Istituto Centrale peril Catalogo Unico delle Biblioteche Italiane (ICCU) has been engaged for about two years, aims at enriching services of the database and opening up new and diversified types of usage. Almost simultaneously the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze (BNCF) initiated a feasibility study on the revision of the Soggettario delle biblioteche italianne (List of Subject Headings in Italian Libraries) for the catalogs of Italian libraries. Both the BNCF and the ICCU share the goal of building a new, consistent vocabulary for documentation of subject matter.

Teach Yourself Thesaurus: Exercises, Readings, Resources

SUMMARY A rationale for self-instruction in thesaurus-making is presented. Some definitions of a thesaurus are given and sources suitable to begin self-tuition indicated. A sound grasp of grammar is emphasized and appropriate readings and exercises recommended. Readings in classification, facet analysis, and subject cataloging are described. An approach for deconstruction and reconstruction of sections of classification systems and thesauri is proposed and explained. Procedures for using exercises in thesaurus construction are detailed. The means of examining individual thesauri is suggested. The availability and use of free software are described. The creation of opportunities for self-learning is considered.

Building a Collection of American Indian Children's Literature at the University of Washington Libraries

ABSTRACTThe American Indian Children's Literature Collection is a significant body of historical children's materials written by and about American Indians. This article describes the recent creation of this collection and covers issues pertaining to identification and maintenance, assessment, historical and literary context, collection development, access, subject cataloging, promotion and preservation.

Recent Work in Cataloging and Classification, 2000–2002

This article provides a review of cataloging and classification publications that appeared in the last two years. The review considers the papers in two categories. Cataloging Theories and Practices covers descriptive cataloging, authority control, classification, subject cataloging, cataloging nonbook materials, electronic resources and metadata, and international cooperation. The second section covers other issues related to cataloging, including management, and education and training. Throughout the review, the author identifies trends and important developments in the area of cataloging and classification.

Cataloging and Classification History in Mexico

SUMMARY This article discusses cataloging and classification history in Mexico and how cataloging and classification have evolved according to the changes that libraries and library science have experienced on both a national and international level. The first part of the article refers to the first half of the twentieth century, detailing the origins of cataloging and classification history. The second part presents discussion of the development and consolidation of both cataloging and classification during the second half of the twentieth century. The article also discusses subject headings, automation, centralization, and union catalogs in Mexico. It discusses past difficulties in creating a union catalog at a national level and the advantages of automated systems in helping to develop this needed union catalog. The article discusses the need to resume publication of the Bibliografía Mexicana. One of the main problems that Mexican libraries have faced is a scarcity of librarians adequately prepared to perform cataloging and classification of their collections. This lack of librarians is even more acute in the Mexican states. There are insufficient numbers of students in library schools to provide the staffing that libraries demand not only for cataloging and classification but also for many other library activities. RESUMEN. Este artículo presenta la historia de la catalogación y clasificación en México. Menciona como la catalogación y clasificación nan evolucionado en nuestro país de acuerdo con los cambios que las bibliotecas y la bibliotecologia han experimentado como producto de la problemática nacional e internacional. En la primera parte se hace referencia a los inicios de la catalogación y clasificación durante la primera mitad del siglo veinte. El desarrollo y consolidación de la catalogación y clasificación en México tuvo lugar durante la segunda mitad del siglo veinte, lo cual es abordado en una segunda parte. Este artículo también hace referencia a la problemática de los encabezamientos de materia, la automatización, la centralización y los catálogos colectivos en México. Algunos de los puntos discutidos en el artículo son los siguientes: Es un hecho que no ha sido posible la creación de catálogos colectivos a nivel nacional. La elaboración de la “Bibliografía Mexicana” debe ser continuada. Los sistemas de automatización tienen una serie de ventajas para desarrollar los catálogos colectivos que el país requiere. Uno de los principales problemas que las bibliotecas mexicanas han enfrentado es la falta de recursos adecuadamente preparados para llevar a cabo la catalogación y clasificación de sus colecciones. Esta falta de bibliotecarios es mas acentuada en los estados. Aún en nuestros días, el número de estudiantes de las escuelas de bibliotecología es insuficiente para cubrir las demandas de las bibliotecas. no sólo en catalogación y clasificación, sino en otras muchas actividades.

Bridging the Gap Between Materials-Focus and Audience-Focus

Summary Traditional subject cataloging is based on the content of individual items without reference to user context. Hierarchical, browsable Web-based lists, using institutionally meaningful subject taxonomy, would provide desirable access for many users. Lists could be produced without double-maintenance of data if the local subject terms can be mapped from LC classification numbers already in catalog records. Creating such a mapping system poses many challenges, but also holds great promise.

Ambiguous Authorship and Uncertain Authenticity: A Cataloger's Dilemma

ABSTRACT Cataloging works whose authorship is unclear or whose authenticity is in question is a long-standing issue that presents a unique challenge to the cataloger. AACR2R provides detailed guidance for determining the main entry heading, and the Subject Cataloging Manual includes instructions for the use of subdivisions; however, they are of limited assistance when dealing with ambiguous works. This article looks at some recent works that have generated controversy in their respective disciplines, and discusses the ideological and ethical implications of cataloging decisions made for them. Suggestions for cataloging these uncommon but vexing works include using notes that reflect the principles stated in the “Library Bill of Rights,” and rethinking our use of reference sources.

On Teaching Subject Cataloging

SUMMARY The authors, Professor Arlene G. Taylor and her doctoral student, Daniel N. Joudrey, discuss their approach to teaching subject cataloging in the graduate library and information sciences (LIS) program at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Information Sciences. This essay discusses the authors' thoughts on the importance of subject cataloging in graduate LIS education, the theory versus practice debate, goals, class work, grading, making it concrete to the students, ordering topics in the courses, separating subject analysis from descriptive cataloging, and concerns for the future. In the not too distant past, library schools considered the teaching of Dewey Decimal Classification and Library of Congress Subject Headings to be totally adequate preparation for graduates to function subject-wise in their chosen profession. As time has moved on we have gone through periods in which even these were considered unnecessary “because keyword searching is better than subject headings” and “classification is only a location device.” The complexities of the current world of subject access (or lack thereof), however, demand that a more complex and thorough approach be taken.

A New Look at US Graduate Courses in Bibliographic Control

SUMMARY The current state of graduate bibliographic control education in the United States is examined through reviewing the literature, analyzing Web sites for 48 LIS programs, and corresponding with and interviewing bibliographic control educators. In reviewing the recent bibliographic control education literature, six primary themes were identified: background/ contextual information, theory versus practice, responsibilities and skills needed by catalogers, relations between educators and practitioners, the universality of cataloging, and curricular issues. Each of these areas is examined in depth. The study conducted examined the number and types of bibliographic control education available in LIS programs in the US. It also collected information on which textbooks were being used in each course. It appears from the study that some courses are increasing in number. The primary areas of bibliographic control education examined include organizing information, technical services, classification theory, indexing, thesaurus construction, cataloging technology, and basic, advanced, descriptive, subject, non-book, Internet resources, and music cataloging courses.

The Subject Cataloging of Monographs with the Use of Keywords

ABSTRACT The overall objective of this study was to examine the implementation of a different approach to the expression of the subject content of monographs in the cataloging record, i.e., the use of a post-coordinate, thesaurus of keywords, using inter-indexer consistency testing and in-depth analysis of mistakes in indexing. A sample of 50 non-fiction monographs was subject cataloged by 16 library science students (non-experienced indexers) using the new Hebrew Thesaurus of Indexing Terms (1996). The 800 indexing records of the non-experienced indexers were compared to the “correct indexing records” (prepared by a panel of three experienced indexers). Indexing consistency was measured using two different formulas used in previous inter-indexer studies. A medium level of inter-indexer consistency was found. In the analysis of mistakes, it was found that the most frequent mistake was the assignment of indexing terms to minor subject matter (i.e., subjects that were less than 20% of the content of the book). Among possible explanations offered for these finding are: sparseness of scope notes in the thesaurus, the priority given by Israeli public libraries to Hebrew language materials in the development of their non-fiction collection, and the size of the output of the Israeli publishing industry of non-fiction materials in Hebrew. The results of the consistency tests and the mistakes analysis were also examined in light of several factors: (1) the number of indexing terms assigned; (2) the length of the monographs (number of pages); and (3) subject area of each monograph. The same examinations were carried out for the subject cataloging records prepared by the Israeli Center for Libraries (ICL) for these monographs.

Subject Catalogue for the Second Medical State Examination in Germany in the Subsphere of Sociomedicine

Subject Catalogue for the Second Medical State Examination in Germany in the Subsphere of Sociomedicine

REVIEWS

BOOK REPAIR: A HOW-TO-DO-IT MANUAL, Second Edition. Kenneth Lavender. New York, NY: Neal-Schuman, 2000, ISBN 1-55570-408-5. by Kenneth Lavender Reviewed by Mary O'Donnell. GUIDELINES ON SUBJECT ACCESS TO INDIVIDUAL WORKS OF FICTION, DRAMA, ETC., Second Edition. Subcommittee on the Revision of the Guidelines on Subject Access to Individual Works of Fiction, Subject Analysis Committee, Cataloging and Classification Section, ALCTS. Hiroko Aikawa, Jan DeSirey, Linda Gabel, Susan Hayes, Kathy Nystrom, Mary Dabney Wilson, and Pat Thomas, Chair. Reviewed by Mark Crotteau. TECHNO-HUMAN MESH: THE GROWING POWER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES. Cynthia K. West. Westport, CT: Quorum Books, 2001, ISBN 1-56720-409-0. Reviewed by Arne J. Almquist PRESERVATION: ISSUES AND PLANNING. Paul N. Banks and Roberta Pilette (Eds.). Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 2000, 360 pp., ISBN 0-8389-0776-8. Reviewed by Rutherford W. Witthus.

‘A woman of university standing…’: the early history of the Tate Library

The title is taken from the Tate Board Minutes in 1929, where it was suggested that such a woman might offer to make a subject catalogue and new card index ‘without pecuniary remuneration’. It sums up the approach taken to the early development of the library within the gallery setting. The library’s position has always been determined by the Tate’s fortunes and reliant on the support of directors whose agendas were broader than the provision of a research library. This article, which is condensed from an MA dissertation, demonstrates how these varying agendas have affected the resources that have been available to the library and the corresponding effects on its collection and culture.