   
Section on Classification and Indexing
Archive - Historical Material
Medium Term Programme 1998-2001
Scope statement
The Section on Classification and Indexing focuses on methods of providing subject access in catalogues, bibliographies, and indexes to documents of all kinds, including electronic documents. The Section serves as a forum for producers and users of classification and subject indexing tools, and it works to facilitate international exchange of information about methods of providing subject access. It promotes standardization and uniform application of classification and indexing tools by institutions generating or utilizing bibliographic records. It initiates and gives advice about research in the subject approach to information, and it disseminates the results through open meetings and publications. It works closely with the other Sections of the IFLA Division of Bibliographic Control, with the IFLA Core Programme for Universal Bibliographic Control and International MARC (UBCIM), and with the IFLA Section on Information Technology. It is interested in provision of subject access in libraries and information services of all types.
Goals, 1998-2001 - Action Plans, 1998-1999
- Goal 1
Monitor and provide information about trends in the provision of subject access in libraries.
- Actions:
- 1.1 Include papers on (1) a cooperative indexing project in the Netherlands (20-30 libraries working together) and (2) use of Library of Congress Subject Headings and Library of Congress Classification in a non-North American environment in the Section's Open Programme for Amsterdam.
- 1.2 Include in the Section Newsletter and share at Standing Committee meetings information about trends in the provision of subject access in libraries.
- 1.3 A working group will follow up on the State of the Art Survey of Subject Heading Systems. The survey sought to learn what countries provide subject access, how long they have done so, what systems they use, and whether they have manuals to provide guidance in application. 45 out of 123 national libraries responded.
- 1.4 Encourage papers from a broad range of countries.
- Goal 2
Provide information about new developments in classification and subject indexing tools.
- Actions:
- 2.1 Include a paper on the Russian edition of the DDC in the Section's Open Programme for Amsterdam.
- 2.2 Sponsor a half-day workshop on UDC at the Amsterdam conference.
- 2.3 Sponsor a half-day workshop on the French translation of DDC at the Amsterdam conference.
- 2.4 Include in the Section Newsletter information about new developments in classification and subject indexing tools.
- Goal 3
Develop or review needed standards and guidelines related to subject access.
- Actions:
- 3.1 Revise Principles Underlying Subject Heading Languages (SHLs) in response to comments received during world-wide review and ask UBCIM to arrange for publication.
- 3.2 Approve translation and publication of Principles Underlying Subject Heading Languages (SHLs) in Russian.
- 3.3 Prepare a 3-4 page position paper from the Section to be given to attendees before the International Conference on National Bibliographic Services in 1998.
- 3.4 Monitor and support implementation of the recommendations of the Joint Working Group on a Classification Format of the IFLA Sections on Classification and Indexing and Information Technology. Implementation involves modification of the USMARC Format for Classification Data and development of a UNIMARC format for classification data.
- 3.5 Contribute to the Division project on OPAC displays.
- 3.6 In cooperation with the Section on Cataloguing, investigate the need for improved multilingual thesauri and vocabularies.
- Goal 4
Monitor trends in provision of subject access to electronic documents, especially those available on the Internet; promote and disseminate results of research about the best methods for providing subject access to electronic documents.
- Action:
- 4.1 Report on trends in provision of subject access to electronic documents at Standing Committee meetings.
- Goal 5
Provide information about the work of the Section and Standing Committee.
- Actions:
- 5.1 Prepare and distribute the Section Newsletter.
- 5.2 Report on Section activities during the Open Forum of the Division of Bibliographic Control.
- 5.3 Provide information for publication in IFLA Journal and on IFLANET.
- 5.4 Contribute to updating the Division's brochure.
- Goal 6
Promote membership of the Section and broader geographic representation on the Standing Committee.
- Actions:
- 6.1 Target libraries that may be interested in joining the Section.
- 6.2 Seek members and/or corresponding members from Third World countries not currently represented on the Standing Committee.
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