Arguing that inadequacy of subject access in online catalogs lies with the database used as a foundation, this essay discusses the weaknesses of Library of Congress subject cataloging and MARC records, electronic card catalogs, enhancement of data, publisher warnings, Boolean search strategy inadequacies, and changes in the national standard. (EJS)

Rules and guidelines are provided for subject indexing in the ERIC system. The principle of "subject access" is discussed with particular reference to "coordinate indexing," which involves designating subject content by unit terms (or tags) that may be put together or "coordinated" for subsequent retrieval. The nature…

Rules and guidelines are provided for subject indexing in the ERIC system. The principle of "subject access" is discussed with particular reference to "coordinate indexing," which involves designating subject content by unit terms (or tags) that may be put together or "coordinated" for subsequent retrieval. The nature…

The present report is the twenty-first in a series describing research in information storage and retrieval conducted by the Department of Computer Science at Cornell University. The report covering work carried out by the SMART project for approximately two years (summer 1970 to summer 1972) is separated into five parts: automatic content…

This essay addresses issue of uniformity or consistency in application of subject headings--as distinct from consistency among headings--to books on any given topic. Discussion covers purpose of subject headings or descriptors, reliability of choices made by catalogers when assigning subject headings, and card and online catalogs. (18 references)…

This paper analyzes proposals for augmenting library bibliographic records for improved subject searching in online catalogs by providing access to parts of books. Arguments for and against adding book content indexing, possible fields for enrichment, and feasibility of 11 alternatives for providing such information are presented. Twenty-two…

Proposes a rationale to be used in comparing and evaluating alternative library computer catalogs, based on varieties of bibliographic data processed, kinds of indexes constructed, and desired search strategies. A glossary of terms related to computerized catalogs is appended. (Author/CLB)

Reports the results of research that used descriptor subfiles in the online version of "MLA Bibliography" to quantify literary warrant in the domain of scholarly work about fiction. Topics discussed include domain analysis; the interaction between literary works, scholars, and library classification systems; and further research…

The Simple Index Method overcomes the difficulties in building a core list for serials in interdisciplinary fields by using multiple indexes which cover various aspects of the subject. Collection-development librarians can develop a core list when standard bibliographies or specific indexing and abstracting tools are lacking and can tailor that…

A method is defined for library cataloging of magnetic tape files. The needs of the reference librarian and the patron are taken into consideration, as well as the particular requirements inherent in the form of material. Basically, the catalog record must serve three functions: (1) it must present a conventional and approachable record of library…

THE FIRST-GENERATION APPROACH BY CONCEPT (ABC) STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL METHOD, A METHOD WHICH UTILIZES AS A SUBJECT APPROACH APPROPRIATE STANDARDIZED ENGLISH-LANGUAGE STATEMENTS PROCESSED AND PRINTED IN A PERMUTED INDEX FORMAT, UNDERWENT A PERFORMANCE TEST, THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF WHICH WAS TO SPOT DEFICIENCIES AND TO DEVELOP A SECOND-GENERATION…

Describes a project intended to improve subject access in an online catalog by adding multiword terms from the table of contents and index to MARC records for each book. The discussion covers a preliminary evaluation of the impact on workload, resources, and subject access to information. (seven references) (Author/CLB)

Reviews the 1990 literature that concerns subject analysis. Issues addressed include subject cataloging, including Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH); classification, including Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), Library of Congress Classification, and classification in online systems; subject access, including the online use of…

The Bibliographic Automation of Large Library Operations Using a Time-sharing System (BALLOTS) is a computer-based interactive system which supports the acquisition, cataloging, and bibliographic searching processes in the Stanford University Libraries. This document provides extensive descriptions of: (1) the BALLOTS system, (2) its files and…

The growth in the size of the Internet has resulted in much effort being spent on indexing its contents. The most popular solutions are created by automatic methods, and although offering impressive coverage, they are disappointing where precision of meaning is required. Alternative services created by human beings arrange and index resources…