Professional paper
Subject cataloguing in the National and University Library in Zagreb: the return to the principles
Vlasta Doležal
; Nacionalna i sveučilišna knjižnica, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
In the National and University Library in Zagreb, content processing based on the internationally recognized norms does not have a long tradition, particularly in the area of subject cataloguing. Starting from the assumption that the application of fundamental principles is the main prerequisite for the construction of a subject retrieval system which would be compatible with subject retrieval systems on the international level, the article analyzes the application of eleven principles defined in the document Principles underlying subject heading languages published by IFLA in 1999. It was estimated as a good opportunity to analyze the present subject cataloguing practice in the National and University Library in Zagreb. The sample for testing the application of these principles was the subject Women, all social aspects and health in general. The analysis showed the need for re-examining the existing subject indexing practice by taking a clear stance regarding the principles and their applicability in our subject indexing practice. The work on the national subject indexing policy should be intensified, both for subject indexing and for classification, providing detailed instructions and guidelines for subject cataloguers. Prior to drafting the national subject cataloguing policy, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the present state and future developments of subject retrieval systems in the library.
Keywords
subject cataloguing; subject systems; knowledge organization; bibliographic control; IFLA
Hrčak ID:
165677
URI
Publication date:
12.9.2006.
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