========================================================================= Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 13:10:05 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MCLAUGHB@cgsvax.claremont.edu Subject: the "events" ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Unbelievable Carol, are we working on the same book? I am indexing a book that uses the same phrase to describe the events, and was going to research it today. One reference in the book mentioned the Eventments (capitalized), with no explanation; the rest of the references are to the events of May 1968. I have been using May 1968, Paris uprising, but if I can determine if Eventments is an official term, I would probably do a see ref. I'll let you know Monday if I find anything. Bonny McLaughlin mclaughb@cgs.edu ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 13:10:59 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Robin Cover Subject: Book on alphabetization ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- 1) Can someone recommend a couple good books (or articles) on principles of alphabetization? What I have in mind is something more subtle, sophisticated, and comprehensive than what one encounters reading the Chicago Manual (14th), or the Gregg Manual, or a chapter on "filing" in a library cataloging textbook. I need a thorough discussion of problems of secondary and tertiary sorting -- from the perspective of multilingual text analysis. The book should treat in some detail issues like: *sort orders in different languages that vary according to the literary genre or textual domain *conventions for establishing a sort order for multiple languages (e.g., where tokens appear in different languages and character sets) *considerations of the different usages of punctuation characters in English and other languages, and the implications for sorting or filing. For example, the "." may be used as a sentence stop, decimal point, abbreviation end, list-item-enumerator end, etc; UNICODE distinguishes several kinds of SPACE and DASH, some of which might be word-forming and thus be significant for sorting, while others would not *considerations of special usages of characters (alphamerics or non-alphamerics) which make simple character sort inappropriate 2) Can someone supply the address (email, postal, phone) for the American Society of Indexers? I thought they might be able to recommend some good authorities on the above topic. If there's a better resource to consult, please supply the pointer. Many thanks -- in advance. Robin ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robin Cover Email: robin@utafll.uta.edu ("uta-ef-el-el") 6634 Sarah Drive **In case of link failure, try: Dallas, TX 75236 USA Email: Robin.Cover@sil.org Tel: (1 214) 296-1783 or (1 214) 709-3346 FAX: (1 214) 709-3380 ======================================================================== ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 13:11:21 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Elinor Lindheimer Subject: Re: Q for history buffs ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >Is there a standard way of referring to the student uprising in Paris in >May 1968? My text, written by a Frenchman, just says, "the 'events' of May >1968," and my husband tells me that the French do just refer to it as "May >1968." But in American indexes, is it typically listed in one of the >followings ways? > >student uprising (Paris, May 1968) >Paris uprising >May 1968 Paris uprising >May 1968 (student uprising, Paris) > >Thanks, y'all. > >Carol Roberts, indexer and copy editor, e-mail: Carol.Roberts@mixcom.com >"There is only one success--to be able to spend your life in your own way." >--Christopher Morley > >What about adding: Paris uprising (May 1968)?? It depends, of course, on what kind of book this is. You might want "student uprising (May 1968)" as well, and a reference to the "May 1968 student uprising," with cross-references if there are lots of subentries. Interesting problem--the event that doesn't yet have a standard name that everyone knows. Is this something like "Prague Summer?" Elinor Lindheimer ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 13:11:37 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Paula Presley Subject: Re: ABSTRACTS In-Reply-To: In reply to your message of FRI 14 OCT 1994 16:04:09 CST ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Yours is not the first query about abstracts, so I'll plunge in. Yes, yes, yes!!!! Abstract, abstract, abstract! You might want to start with an old standby, that I still use: Harold Borko, _Abstracting concepts and Methods_ (New York, 1975) Or, take a look at the NFAIS(National Federaltion of Abstracting and InformationServices) Newsletter, now in its 36th vol. Since notes here should be kept rather short, I won't launch into my standard speech to my authors about the value of a proper abstract. The printed sources are replete with this information. Whereas abstracts were once just nice little "extras" for an article or book chapter, they are now an absolute necessity. There is an art to writing abstracts, just as there is to writing indexes. We insist that all our authors provide an abstract. We find that we must rewrite many of them (because, e.g., they are too wordy, or the author uses them as an extensive footnote with information that didn't make it into the edited article). Go to your library stacks and look at several worthwhile scholarly journals. Read abstracts as you read Borko's book, and determine which type of abstracts are used in various journals. (Some journals, by the way, require the author to provide proposed subject headings to use along with the abstract; I don't require that, but I do informally ask if there are any subject headings the authors think I might find useful for the annual index.) You might note, too, that Gale Research (that large company) publishes the Abstracting and Indexing Services Directory. Take a look at that and see just how many companies provide these kinds of services! Its an important and necessary service, especially in the Information Age and the proliferatin of electronic and online information sources! (And, yes, those trained in library and information services are "the" folks to handle these tasks!) Paula Presley Assoc. Editor, The Thomas Jefferson University Press Copy Editor, The Sixteenth Century Journal Northeast Missouri State University McClain Hall 111L Kirksville, MO 63501 (816) 785-4525 FAX (816) 785-4181 Bitnet: AD15@NEMOMUS Internet: AD15%NEMOMUS@Academic.NEMOState.EDU ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 13:11:59 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Paula Presley Subject: Re: Q for history buffs In-Reply-To: In reply to your message of FRI 14 OCT 1994 16:04:04 CST ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Carol, Happily,l can sit at my computer and answer email, edit MSS, and access remote library catalogs--all at the same time. I just happen to have the Harvard Hollis Library catalog "up," while answering you. I did a subject search for May 1968. Got nothing. Then did KW May 1968 search. Turns up 234 items. The first is: Reader, Keith, The May 1968 events in France : reproductoins and interpretations (Basingstoke : Macmillan, 1993), incl bib and index. ISBN 0333497570. The LC subject headings are: Riots--France--Paris ; Student movements--France--Paris--History--20th century ; Radicalism--France--Paris--History--20th century ; France--History--1958- . [I suspect that last subject heading (1958) is in error.] The next relevant title is: _The Finger points at the moon : inscriptions from Paris, May 1968 / tr Oliver Bernard (London: Tuba Press, 1989). 12 leaves. Notes: "The main sources are the walls of the Sorobonne [sic] and of the streets in the Latin Quarter. Some wre written in the Odeon Theatre"--T.p. ISBN 0907155162 (unbound). Subject heading: Student movements--France--20th century--Sources. KEYWORD SUBJ: France; Paris; Students; Protest movements; history There ya go... I hope this helps. Paula Presley Assoc. Editor, The Thomas Jefferson University Press Copy Editor, The Sixteenth Century Journal Northeast Missouri State University McClain Hall 111L Kirksville, MO 63501 (816) 785-4525 FAX (816) 785-4181 Bitnet: AD15@NEMOMUS Internet: AD15%NEMOMUS@Academic.NEMOState.EDU ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 15:38:17 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Gadoury Lynda ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Looking for information on "indexing with indexing modules in word-processing software" Thank you ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 15:39:15 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Neva J. Smith" Subject: Art indexers? ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Greetings INDEX-Lers: I'd like to "meet" any of you who index art books of any type. Art history, how-tos, biographies of artists, and anything related. My interest, of course, is to develop a resource group in the subject specialty for shop-talk and advice. And to be one of many, rather than one alone. If you would like to join such a group, send me a note off-list. The address is njsmith@bga.com. Cheers- Neva J. Smith DataSmiths Information Services, & njsmith@bga.com Editor, _Library_Currents_ ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 20 Oct 1994 13:54:45 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Paula Presley Subject: Re: Indexing modules In-Reply-To: In reply to your message of MON 17 OCT 1994 14:40:50 CST ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- See the archives for Index-L for recent discussions on this subject. See also "The Changing Landscapes of Indexing, The Proceedings of the 26th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Indexers" May 1994. available from ASI, P.O. Box 386, Port Aransas TX 78373 Paula Presley Assoc. Editor, The Thomas Jefferson University Press Copy Editor, The Sixteenth Century Journal Northeast Missouri State University McClain Hall 111L Kirksville, MO 63501 (816) 785-4525 FAX (816) 785-4181 Bitnet: AD15@NEMOMUS Internet: AD15%NEMOMUS@Academic.NEMOState.EDU ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 20 Oct 1994 13:58:15 ECT Reply-To: LWill@willpowr.demon.co.uk Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Leonard Will Subject: Re: Book on alphabetization ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- In message <9410172130.aa28180@post.demon.co.uk> Robin Cover writes: > ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- > 1) Can someone recommend a couple good books (or articles) on > principles of alphabetization? . . . Two sources I would check are: (1) British Standard for alphabetical arrangement (2) British Library. BLAISE filing rules. 1980. isbn 0-900220-83-X As used in the automation programmes of the British Library. Available for 25 pounds sterling for overseas orders from: The British Library NBS Tel: +44 1462 672555 Turpin Distribution Services Ltd Fax: +44 1462 480947 Blackhorse Road Letchworth Herts. SG6 1HN United Kingdom I don't have copies of either to hand at the moment, so I can't give you the full and proper references but I have read both of them and found them useful. You should be able to track them down on some Internet OPAC. Leonard -- Dr Leonard D Will Tel: +44 181 366 7386 Information Management Consultant Fax: +44 181 366 0916 27 Calshot Way, ENFIELD, Middlesex Email: LWill@willpowr.demon.co.uk EN2 7BQ, United Kingdom ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 21 Oct 1994 16:29:45 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MNORTH@GUVAX.BITNET Subject: card catalog vocabulary ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- PURGING PREJUDICE FROM CARD CATALOG By DEB PRICE Detroit News WITH his nose buried in a card catalog, librarian Sandy Berman caught a whiff of something rotten while working at the University of Zambia 25 years ago. He smelled raw prejudice and realized to his horror that it was being imported from a hallowed American institution, the Library of Congress. Since the turn of the century, English-language libraries around the world have cataloged their book collections by adopting exactly the same subject headings as the Library of Congress. While this uniformity simplifies the work of librarians and researchers, it also means that even a putrid blunder at the Library of Congress gets duplicated at countless smaller libraries. QUESTIONED 'KAFIR' Berman's upsetting discovery back in 1969 was that, because the Zambian library followed the Library of Congress' catalog, he was obligated to categorize books about black South Africans under a racist term, "kafirs." "I felt I was being compelled to do something essentially inaccurate and dishonest and, in a way, immoral," he recalls. He immediately sensed that by nosing around a bit more he'd uncover "a whole lot more muck." Berman laid bare his discoveries about the Library of Congress' offensive terminology in his 1971 book, "Prejudices and Antipathies." He pointed to dozens of card catalog subject headings written in the language of the oppressor. For example, "Jewish Question," a chilling phrase straight out of the mouth of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels, and "Race Question," which Berman notes "smacks of white supremacy." Under "Sexual Perversion" he found the heterosexist notation "See also Homosexuality." Book-loving Berman is a matchmaker at heart. As a professional cataloger, he simply wants to make it easy for library patrons to connect with whatever they want to read and believes that anyone searching for works on a particular subject has a right "not be offended, prejudiced, confused, misled or repelled by the very terminology used to denote specific categories." If the giant Library of Congress hadn't stubbornly resisted Berman's good ideas, this David-and-Goliath saga would have ended with the little guy's total triumph decades ago. Instead, Berman has had to keep slinging suggestions, firing off petitions. His successes are a testament to persistence and the power of one person to trigger much-needed change: "Race Relations" replaced "Race Question" about a decade after his first volley. "Jewish Question" left the catalog in 1983. And after an 18-year siege, Berman, hailed by librarian Eric Moon as "our leading missionary, revolutionary, irritant, conscience and inspiration," defeated "Yellow Peril" in 1989. WORKED FOR GAYS Deleting the "perversion-homosexuality" link was an early victory for Berman, but he's still bothered by obstacles put in the way of gay readers. He first took an interest in helping gay people locate gay books in the mid-'60s, when he saw soldiers in U.S. Army libraries in Germany struggle to find gay novels without coming out of the closet. (A breakthrough work, "Gay and Lesbian Library Service," edited by Cal Gough and Ellen Greenblatt, was Berman's brainchild.) The innovative chief cataloger in Minnesota's Hennepin County Library for the past 21 years, Berman keeps prodding the "big, old, bureaucratic" Library of Congress to weed out headings that reek. "Criminal Justice Administration," for instance, still advises "See also Lynching." Berman's tireless campaign is a monument to true justice and simple fairness. Its successes smell mighty sweet. _______________________________ Deb Price is the news editor at the Washington bureau of the Detroit News. Write to her in care of the Mercury News, 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95190. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 21 Oct 1994 16:30:00 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Indexing Services Subject: Indiana Heartland ASI Meeting ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- American Society of Indexers Heartland Chapter Nov. 5 meeting at Pike Library Meeting Room, 6526 Zionsville Rd. Indianapolis, IN Business meeting at 2 pm est. Program at 3 pm est. Non-ASI members, $2 charge. Barbara Cohen will discuss her apprenticeship program for indexing. RSVP to Joan Griffitts, 317/297-7312 or indexsvc@indyvax.iupui.edu Hope to see you there!