Thesaurus of Library and Information Science Terms

Book Details

• Publisher: Ess Ess Publication
• ISBN: 8170003784
• Year of Publication: 2004
• Language: English
• Binding: HardBound

About the Book

This book focuses on the importance of controlled vocabulary and thesaurus construction in Library and Information Science for effective information storage and retrieval. Information sources form the foundation of services provided by libraries and information centres, and their systematic organization is essential for accurate and efficient retrieval of information.

The publication explains how subject representation in document surrogates requires the use of controlled vocabularies to ensure consistency, precision, and effective retrieval regardless of time and place. It discusses the limitations of natural language in information retrieval systems, including issues caused by synonyms, homonyms, singular and plural forms, and uncontrolled term coordination, all of which can negatively affect recall and precision during information searches.

The book highlights the thesaurus as one of the most important vocabulary control tools used to overcome these problems in information storage and retrieval systems. It explains how a thesaurus helps standardize subject terminology, improve indexing consistency, and enhance the retrieval of relevant information in both print and digital environments.

Special attention has been given to the rapidly expanding interdisciplinary field of Library and Information Science, where the growth of literature has created an urgent need for a specialized thesaurus for LIS terminology. The publication presents one of the earliest and unique thesaurus projects in India for Library and Information Science, developed through a combination of a priori and posteriori approaches.

The book also includes a specially designed depth classification schedule of LIS terms and provides detailed explanations of the methodologies used in constructing both the classification schedule and the thesaurus. Organized into six chapters, the volume discusses the uses of thesauri, concepts related to depth classification, literature reviews, definitional analysis, and practical approaches to vocabulary control in information systems.

Written in a scholarly and practical style, this publication serves as a valuable resource for librarians, information scientists, researchers, teachers, students of Library and Information Science, and professionals involved in indexing, classification, information retrieval, and knowledge organization.