Information organization has never been more complex—or more important. In today's digital landscape, where data flows constantly across platforms and disciplines, understanding how to structure, categorize, and retrieve information effectively has become a critical skill for information professionals everywhere.
This comprehensive 4th edition brings you up to speed with the latest developments in information organization, from traditional library systems to cutting-edge digital approaches. You'll explore the historical foundations that shaped current practices, then dive into the modern tools and techniques that define today's information landscape.
The book begins by examining the evolution of information organization across different settings—libraries, archives, museums, and online platforms. You'll learn about various retrieval tools including catalogs, finding aids, indexes, bibliographies, and search engines, understanding how each serves different user needs and contexts.
Dive deep into the principles and functionality of metadata systems, exploring types, functions, and models like FRBR, IFLA-LRM, and RDF. The book explains how encoding works for effective use and sharing, covering standards such as MARC, XML schemas, and linked data approaches that power today's digital information ecosystems.
Master the key standards used in information professions, including RDA for resource description, DACS for archival contexts, and CCO for cultural heritage materials. Learn about access points, authority control, subject analysis using controlled vocabularies like LCSH and MeSH, and categorization systems such as DDC and LCC that organize knowledge across disciplines.
Whether you're a student beginning your LIS journey or a seasoned professional updating your skills, this authoritative guide provides the foundation you need to navigate the complex world of information organization with confidence and competence.
