Organization of Information

As we move forward to Week #2, into the unit "Organization of Information," we will begin to understand something of what libraries are and how they organize information. We will also begin to discuss how libraries are adapting the concept of Web 2.0 specifically to library applications. Library 2.0 is allowing patrons more online "interaction" with the library staff and with the online databases

Libraries have always been "organized" places and and librarians have always been organized people. Librarians understand how to "structure" information in order to make it easier for patrons to gain access to specific information resources such as books. Some students may remember the old card catalog (now of course replaced by the online book catalog) which, if you recall, allowed you to locate a book by the author, title and subject each on a separate card. Print periodical indexes (those print books which helped you locate specific articles in magazines, journals and newspapers) were organized in much the same way and of course available as online periodical databases. Enter the online databases which allow for many more options (access points) to locate the information. As the complexity of these online databases increase, it becomes more important for the "average" patron to understand how online databases are put together and how they search for information (how they are different and how they are the same). You will also have to learn to "go beyond" mere general keyword searching if you are to maximize the effectiveness of your search and bring about efficiently the desired results.

One of the most valuable ways of searching any database now is through the "subject headings" or "controlled vocabulary terms." These terms are assigned to book records and periodical records and define what the book or the article is all about. They are terms that already exist and are applied to each unique record in the database. Librarians still look at books they wish to add to the collection and assigned these terms based on what they think the book is about. The "big red" books mentioned in this unit (Library of Congress Subject Headings) is simply the print version of this list of controlled vocabulary terms. Identifying/using these terms for your particular topic will assist you in performing a more focused search.