Criticizes the 19th edition of "Dewey Decimal Classification" for violating traditional classification goals for library materials and ignoring the desires of libraries and other users. A total reform is proposed to eliminate Phoenix schedules and to accept only those relocations approved by an editorial board of users. (RAA)

Discussion of precision in information retrieval highlights a prototype online catalog, ILSA (Improving Library Subject Access), developed at Indiana University of Pennsylvania that uses subject clusters and classification. Topics addressed include problems with keyword searching, controlled vocabulary, and thesauri; natural language mapping…

In this research project, subject terms from the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) Schedules and Relative Index were incorporated into an online catalog as searcher's tools for subject access, browsing, and display. Four features of the DDC were employed to help searchers browse for and match their own subject terms with the online catalog's…

Bibliographic records taken from books listed in "OCLC Selected Titles for Research and University Libraries" are used to determine whether the use of terms in the title for subject searching is an effective alternative to the use of Library of Congress subject headings among the 10 divisions of Dewey Decimal Classification. Terms in…

Investigation of retrieval performance of controlled vocabulary derived from natural language terms in tables of contents and book indexes assumed that controlled vocabulary representative of users' queries should adequately represent documents' contents. Queries were indexed using Library of Congress Subject Headings (LSCH), Dewey Decimal…

Recommends an expansion of MARC codes for decimal class numbers to enhance automated subject retrieval. Five values for a second indicator and two new subfields are suggested for encoding hierarchical relationships among decimal class numbers. Additional subfields are suggested to enhance retrieval through analysis of synthesized numbers in…

Discusses theoretical and practical progress made in the classification of information for retrieval in the last 20 years and suggests alternatives to the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classification systems. (JVP)

Discusses the history and development of the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC). Topics include the relationship with Dewey Decimal Classification; revision process; structure; facet analysis; lack of standard rules for application; application in automated systems; influence of UDC on classification development; links with thesauri; and use…

Offers illustrations of anomalies and prejudices found in common information retrieval tools: "LC Subject Headings" (9th edition), "Dewey Decimal Classification" (19th edition), "Universal Decimal Classification" (3rd abridged edition). Index terms in areas of sexual bias, social strata, politics, knowledge, customs,…

The Dewey Decimal Classification was not fulfilling genealogical researchers' needs, who search for ancestors by place (not subject). A new system that was developed at Rowan Public Library (Salisbury, North Carolina) is described. Also given are suggested additions to the Library of Congress Subject Headings to provide geographic orientation.…

This paper examines how the nature of the World Wide Web and characteristics of networked resources affect subject access and analyzes the requirements of effective indexing and retrieval tools. The current and potential uses of existing tools and possible courses of future development are explored in the context of recent research. The first…

Examines the use of intelligence tutoring systems (ITS) instead of conventional computer-assisted instruction and computer-assisted learning. Discusses how data banks can be searched using closed, semi-closed, and open methods by means of Boolean methods and the Dewey system. (Author/AEF)

Use of computer techniques is being more generally applied within public libraries but details of purpose, development and operation are of interest to those on the brink of change. A recent application of computer techniques to a bilingual library book-stock is briefly outlined. The catalog records were computerized by section, and a bilingual…

Explores the potential usefulness of the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) system as a tool in online retrieval. Unique features of LCC are described and a theoretical analysis of its potentials and limitations in terms of subject browsing, enhanced vocabulary, and class number searching are presented. (CDD)

This paper argues that the ancient people of Kemet (Egypt), "the black land," built and operated the first major libraries and institutions of higher education in the world. Topics of discussion include the Ancient Egyptians as an African people; a chronology of Ancient Kemet; literature in Kemet; a history of Egyptian Librarianship; the…