A report of several comparisons designed to measure the retrieval effectiveness of machined-aided indexing and manual indexing. (Author)

Problems of indexing and index use lie at the heart of information use. They determine maximum possible use of information systems and sources, affect communication with users, influence the use of retrieved documents, and should form a more important field of research than past history indicates. Previous research provides some clues to user…

The interdisciplinary nature of the literature of American library history indicates that much of the best literature in the field is published in journals which do not fit within the familiar confines of "Library Literature." To illustrate the difficulties, a bibliography of 170 items relating to Pennsylvania library history was checked…

Problems in indexing library and information science literature occur because of the speed of introduction of new terms, the nature of class headings, and the uncertain terminology of the field. Vocabulary control requires control over the concepts selected (the depth of indexing), the form of expression of concepts and the syndetic apparatus of…

The use of locally produced dissertations by extramural scholars was examined in four Ohio academic libraries. The results include identification of users by type of institution; purpose for which the dissertations were used; and tools and approaches successfully used in identifying and locating the desired dissertations. (CLB)

The effectiveness of current subject cataloging practices for assigning geographical headings to local historical records in meeting the requirements of an escalating number of genealogist-patrons was examined. The findings indicated that catalogers use two general approaches in determining subject headings for local historical collections in the…

In 1965 the Syracuse University School of Library Science held a symposium to explore the nature of the relationship between the structure and transmission of knowledge, on the one hand, and the array of bibliographic devices which have been developed to facilitate access to that knowledge, on the other. Papers presented discussed the need for a…

This study examines the reliability of article coverage in the American Theological Library Association's (ATLA) Religion Database CD-ROM of two emerging theological fields: lesbian theology and womanist theology. Indexing predictability and consistency of coverage is important for the access of needed documents. There is concern that women's…