BLI-223

(Q1) Differentiate between ‘subject cataloguing’ and ‘subject indexing’. Discuss the problems of subject
indexing and how are they resolved.

Ans) In library and information science, cataloging (or cataloguing) is the process of
creating metadata representing information resources, such as books, sound recordings, moving
images, etc. Cataloging provides information such as creator names, titles, and subject terms that
describe resources, typically through the creation of bibliographic records. The records serve as
surrogates for the stored information resources. Since the 1970s these metadata are in machine-
readable form and are indexed by information retrieval tools, such as bibliographic
databasesor search engines. While typically the cataloging process results in the production oflibrary
catalogs, it also produces other types of discovery tools for documents and collections.

Bibliographic control provides the philosophical basis of cataloging, defining the rules for
sufficiently describing information resources to enable users to find and select the most appropriate
resource. A cataloger is an individual responsible for the processes of description, subject analysis,
classification, and authority control of library materials. Catalogers serve as the "foundation of all
library service, as they are the ones who organize information in such a way as to make it easily
accessible

Subject indexing is the act of describing or classifying a document by index terms or other symbols
in order to indicate what the document is about, to summarize its content or to increase
its findability. In other words, it is about identifying and describing the subject of documents. Indexes
are constructed, separately, on three distinct levels: terms in a document such as a book; objects in
a collection such as a library; and documents (such as books and articles) within a field of
knowledge.

Subject indexing is used in information retrieval especially to create bibliographic databases to

retrieve documents on a particular subject. Examples of academic indexing services are Zentralblatt
MATH, Chemical Abstracts and PubMed. The index terms were mostly assigned by experts but
author keywords are also common.

The process of indexing begins with any analysis of the subject of the document. The indexer must
then identify terms which appropriately identify the subject either by extracting words directly from
the document or assigning words from acontrolled vocabulary.[1] The terms in the index are then
presented in a systematic order.

Indexers must decide how many terms to include and how specific the terms should be. Together
this gives a depth of indexing.
(Q2) Discuss the need and purpose of notation in library classification. Describe the qualities of
notation to be used in library classification

Ans) A library classification is a system by which library materials are arranged according to
subject. Library classifications use a notational system that represents the order of topics in the
classification and allows items to be stored in that order. Library classification systems group related
materials together, typically arranged in a hierarchical tree structure. A different kind of classification
system, called afaceted classification system, is also widely used which allows the assignment of
multiple classifications to an object, enabling the classifications to be ordered in multiple ways. The
library classification numbers can be considered identifiers for resources but are distinct from
the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) orInternational Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
systems, which are unique commercialproduct identifiers.Today many classification schemes are
available i,e, DDC, CC, UDC.

There are many standard systems of library classification in use, and many more have
been proposed over the years. However in general, Classification systems can be
divided into three types depending on how they are used.

 Universal schemes covering all subjects. Examples include Dewey Decimal

Classification and Library of Congress Classification
 Specific classification schemes. Examples includes Iconclass, British classification
of Music
 National schemes specially created for certain countries. Example is SAB.
In terms of functionality, classification systems are often described as

 enumerative: produce an alphabetical list of subject headings, assign numbers to

each heading in alphabetical order
 hierarchical: divides subjects hierarchically, from most general to most specific
 faceted or analytico-synthetic: divides subjects into mutually exclusive orthogonal
facets

(II)
(Q1) Discuss the uses of classification in a library
Ans) As a result of differences in Notation, history, use of enumeration, hierarchy ,
facets, classification systems can differ in the following ways

 Type of Notation - Notation can be pure (consisting of only numerals for example)
or mixed (consisting of both alphabets and numerals or other symbols).
 Expressiveness - This is the degree in which the notation can express relationship
between concepts or structure.
 Whether they support mnemonics - For example the number 44 in DDC notation
usually means it concerns some aspect of France. For example 598.0944
concerns "Birds in France." The 09 signifies country code, and 44 represents
France.
 Hospitality - The degree in which the system is able to accommodates new
subjects
 Brevity - Length of the notation to express the same concept
 Speed of updates and degree of support - The best classification systems are
constantly being reviewed and improved.
 Consistency
 Simplicity

(Q2) Explain why some numbers in DDC are given in square brackets giving examples.
Ans) The DDC is built on sound principles that make it ideal as a general knowledge
organization tool: meaningful notation in universally recognized Arabic numerals,
welldefined categories, well-developed hierarchies, and a rich network of relationships
among topics. In the DDC, basic classes are organized by disciplines or fields of study. At
the broadest level, the DDC is divided into ten main classes, which together cover the
entire world of knowledge. Each main class is further divided into ten divisions, and each
division into ten sections (not all the numbers for the divisions and sections have been
used).
The main structure of the DDC is presented in the DDC Summaries in the beginning of
volume 2. The first summary contains the ten main classes. The second summary
contains the hundred divisions. The third summary contains the thousand sections. The
headings associated with the numbers in the summaries have been edited for browsing
purposes, and do not necessarily match the complete headings found in the schedules.

(Q3) Enumerate the different areas of a cataloguing entry. Explain the note area.

 Ans) In the grammatical sort order (used mainly in older catalogs), the most important word of
the title is the first sort term. The importance of a word is measured by grammatical rules; for
example, the first noun may be defined to be the most important word.
 In the mechanical sort order, the first word of the title is the first sort term. Most new catalogs
use this scheme, but still include a trace of the grammatical sort order: they neglect an article
(The, A, etc.) at the beginning of the title.

The grammatical sort order has the advantage that often, the most important word of the title is also
a good keyword (question 3), and it is the word most users remember first when their memory is
incomplete. However, it has the disadvantage that many elaborate grammatical rules are needed, so
that only expert users may be able to search the catalog without help from a librarian.

In some catalogs, persons' names are standardized, i. e., the name of the person is always
(cataloged and) sorted in a standard form, even if it appears differently in the library material. This
standardization is achieved by a process called authority control. An advantage of the authority
control is that it is easier to answer question 2 (which works of some author does the library have?).
On the other hand, it may be more difficult to answer question 1 (does the library have some specific
material?) if the material spells the author in a peculiar variant. For the cataloguer, it may incur (too)
much work to check whether Smith, J. is Smith, John or Smith, Jack.

For some works, even the title can be standardized. The technical term for this is uniform title. For
example, translations and re-editions are sometimes sorted under their original title. In many
catalogs, parts of the Bible are sorted under the standard name of the book(s) they contain. The
plays of William Shakespeare are another frequently cited example of the role played by a uniform
title in the library catalog.

(Q4) Explain MARC tags by giving an example.

Ans) Machine-readable: "Machine-readable" means that one particular type of machine, a

computer, can read and interpret the data in the cataloging record. The following pages will
explain why this is important and how it is made possible.

Cataloging record: "Cataloging record" means a bibliographic record, or the information

traditionally shown on a catalog card. The record includes (not necessarily in this order): 1) a
description of the item, 2) main entry and added entries, 3) subject headings, and 4) the
classification or call number. (MARC records often contain much additional information.)

1) Description: Librarians follow the rules in Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd ed., 2002
revision to compose the bibliographic description of a library item. This "description" is shown
in the paragraph sections of a card. It includes the title, statement of responsibility, edition,
material specific details, publication information, physical description, series, notes, and standard
numbers.

2) Main entry and added entries: AACR2 also contains rules for determining "access points" to
the record (usually referred to as the "main entry" and "other added entries"), and the form these
access points should take. Access points are the retrieval points in the library catalog where
patrons should be able to look up the item.
In other words, the rules in AACR2 are used to answer questions such as: For this book, should
there be entries in the catalog for more than one author or more than one title? Should the title of
the series be noted? How should the author's name be written? Is this a "title main entry" item
(no author)?

(Q5) Differentiate between KWIC, KWOC , KWAC, KWWC and KEYTALPHA by means of an
example.
Ans) Each entry in KWIC index consists of three parts
i) Keyword: Significant words of the title which serve as
approach/access teems.
ii) Context: The rest of the terms of the title provided along with the
keywords specifies the context fo the document.
iii) Identification or Location Code: A code (usually the social
number of the entry) which provides address of the document where its
full bibliographical details will be available.
In order to indicate the end of the title a “/” symbol is used. The
identification code is put on the extreme right to indicate the location of
the document

In KWOC system, keyword or the access point is shifted to the

extreme left at its normal place in the beginning of the line. It is followed
by the complete title to provide complete context. The keyword and the
context are written either in the same line or in two successive lines.
Both the formats are displayed below.
Example-Title: Computerisation of Libraries in India
FORMAT1
COMPUTERISATION Computerisation of libraries in India 1289
INDIA Computerisation of libraries in India 1289
LIBRARIES Computerisation of libraries in Indian 1289

FORMAT 2
COMPUTERISATION
Computerization of libraries in India 1289
INDIA
Computerisation of libraries in India 1289
LIBRARIES
 Computerisation of libraries in India 1289
These entries are then filed in an alphabetical sequence in the file
of the KWOC index.
It should be noted that the changing of format in KWOC index has
provided only limited improvement. Since it follows the same indexing
technique there is hardly any difference in its retrieval efficiency.
Keyword Augmented in Context (KWAC)
The acronym KWAC also stands for Keyword and Context. The
KWAC system provides for the enrichment of the keywords of the title
with additional significant words taken either from the abstract f the
document or its contents. Since titles do not always represent the
contents of a document fully, the enrichment minimises this limitation.
The problem of false retrieval, which is inherent in a purely title based
indexing system, is solved to some extent.
For example consider a title of a document ‘Expert System’. Here in
this case the title is not clearly expressing the contents of the document.
So the abstract of the document or even the contents itself may be
consulted to find the significant words, which should be added to the
title to make it expressive. E.g. the above example may result in,
Expert System in Library then the index should be prepared either by
KWIC or by KWAC system
3.1.4 Key-Term Alphabetical (KEYTALPHA)
In the Key-Term Alphabetical index, keywords are arranged side by
side without forming a sentence. Entries are prepared containing only
keywords and location excluding the context.
Example: Computerisation of libraries in India
The Keytalpha index entries are:
COMPUTERISATION, INDIAN, LIBRARIES 1289
INDIA, LIBRARIES, COMPUTERISATION 1289
LIBRARIES, COMPUTERISATION, INDIA 1289

(Q6) Enumerate the different types of metadata explaining their purposes

Ans) There are three main types of metadata:

• Descriptive metadata describes a resource for purposes such as discovery

and identification. It can include elements such as title, abstract, author, and
keywords.
• Structural metadata indicates how compound objects are put together, for
example, how pages are ordered to form chapters.

• Administrative metadata provides information to help manage a resource,

such as when and how it was created, file type and other technical
information, and who can access it. There are several subsets of
administrative data; two that are sometimes listed as separate metadata
types are:

− Rights management metadata, which deals with intellectual property

rights,
and
− Preservation metadata, which contains information needed to archive and
preserve a resource.

(III)
(Q1) What is a sectorising digit? Give an example
Ans) The determination of the sequence of facets in different subjects should not be left to be
determined ad-hoc in each subject. On the other hand if their sequence is determined by some
guiding priniciples of a general nature applicable to all subjects, the law of impartiality will be
satisfied. Some may hold that another ground for deciding the sequence of facets is the relative
numerousness of the readers, who’s needs will be satisfied by the different sequences.

(Q2) Discuss the purpose of different levels of description of an entry

Ans) Once the groundwork is established, the newly explored field needs more information. The next
step is descriptive research, defined as attempts to explore and explain while providing additional
information about a topic. This is where research is trying to describe what is happening in more
detail, filling in the missing parts and expanding our understanding. This is also where as much
information is collected as possible instead of making guesses or elaborate models to predict the
future - the 'what' and 'how,' rather than the 'why.

(Q3) What should be the heading of a book when the principal responsibility is not indicated ?
Ans) The chief source of information is the title page. If there is no title page, use the part of the
item supplying the most complete information, whether this is the cover (excluding a book
jacket), half title page, caption, colophon, running title or other part. If information traditionally
given on the title page is given on facing pages without repetition or with only partial
repetition, consider these pages together as the chief source. Do not combine separate title
pages or added title pages.
When no statement of responsibility is given on the chief source, but information appears
prominently on the title page verso, pages preceding the title page, or cover, the information is
transcribed as remainder of title and enclosed in square brackets.
(Q4) What references are given for non-preferred to preferred headings and between
synonymous headings.
Ans) Entry terms, sometimes called "See cross-references" in printed listings, are
synonyms, alternate forms, and other closely related terms in a given MeSH record
that are generally used interchangeably with the preferred term for the purposes of
indexing and retrieval, thus increasing the access points to MeSH-indexed data.

(Q5) Prepare a KWIC Entry for the subject, “Treatment of Digestive Problems of Children by Home
Remedies”
Ans) A KWIC display helps users to quickly scan through a number of search results by
only showing a chunk of text surrounding each match. eXist provides a general-purpose
KWIC module, which is not bound to a specific index or query operation. It can be applied
to query results from all indexes that support match highlighting. This includes the Lucene-
based fullt text index as well as the ngram index.

The documentation search function in eXist-db's demo service is a good example. It

queries documents written in the docbook format.

(Q6) Why are classification schemes published as full and abridged editions?

Ans) An abridgement (or abridgment) is a condensing or reduction of a book or other

creative work into a shorter form while maintaining the unity of the source. The
abridgement can be true to the original work in terms of mood and tone, capturing the parts
the abridging author perceives to be most important; it could be a complete parody of the
original; or it could fall anywhere in-between, either generally capturing the tone and
message of the original author but falling short in some manner, or subtly twisting his words
and message to favor a different interpretation or agenda. Compare/contrast with epitome.A
written work may be abridged to make it more accessible to a wider audience; for example,
to make an adaptation of it as an audio book or a television show, to make a more
convenient companion to an already established work, or to create a shorter reference
version.

(Q7) Explain the meaning of a sought link and unsought link with examples

Ans) Unsought Goods are goods that the consumer does not know about or does not normally
think of buying, and the purchase of which arises due to danger or the fear of danger and lack of
desire.

The classic examples of known but unsought goods are funeral services, encyclopedias, fire
extinguishers and reference books. In some cases even an airplane/helicopters can be cited as
examples of unsought goods. The purchase of these goods may not be immediate and can be
deferred. Hence, unsought goods require advertising and personal-selling support.

Marketers have classified products on the basis of durability, tangibility and use (consumer or
industrial). Based on the consumer products classification arise Unsought Goods
(Q8) Explain the concept of SKOS

Ans) Simple Knowledge Organization System (SKOS) is a W3C recommendation designed for
representation of thesauri, classification schemes, taxonomies, subject-heading systems, or any
other type of structured controlled vocabulary. SKOS is part of the Semantic Web family of
standards built upon RDF and RDFS, and its main objective is to enable easy publication and use
of such vocabularies as linked data.
(Q9) Discuss the concept of directory in MARC format.

Ans) It deals with what librarians using a library automation system will see and need to
understand on their computer screens when adding, editing, or examining records. The emphasis
will be on those areas commonly used in cataloging for schools and small public libraries, i.e.
books and audiovisual materials. However, what is covered in this section applies equally to all
forms of materials, including sound recordings, computer software, maps, and other non-book
items.Recently approved changes, some of which have already been implemented, to the MARC
21 bibliographic format have involved the concept of Format Integration. "Format Integration"
means that the same "signposts" are used to mark data in records for all types of publications,
rather than having different sets of "signposts" for each type. More technically, under Format
Integration, one group of tags is used for records of all types of materials rather than having a tag
set defined for each type.

(Q10) Explain the concept of relevance ranking in online search

Ans) Relevancy ranking is the process of sorting the document results so that those documents
which are most likely to be relevant to your query are shown at the top.

But what does it mean to be "relevant"?

There are two schools of thought as to what makes a document relevant:

Hard Core Definition: The document actually answers the question or solves the problem which
caused you to perform the search to begin with.

This is more of a magical black-box approach to relevancy, as in "it worked, and I don't care
how".

User Understandable Definition: It is readily apparent to the end-user why the search engine
retrieved this document