Post‐coordinate indexing and the prescribed classification and cataloguing curriculum in ALA‐accredited library schools: a national case study together with proposals of general applicability

Abstract

The introduction of post‐coordinate indexing within the mandatory education in subject headings, classification and cataloguing at ALA‐accredited library schools was slow to follow the adoption of the technique in the library and information field. Surveys conducted in 1956, 1961 and 1966 produced no positive evidence of the teaching of the method. A recent study has found that rather less than half the schools were teaching coordinate indexing and most of these granted it only slight attention. Those schools that covered coordinate indexing were far more likely than the average school to include UDC in the classification part of the curriculum. Schools which featured modern integrated courses of wide scope nearly all taught coordinate indexing. There are strong vocational and academic arguments to warrant the incorporation of the model in all required instruction in concept and term analysis and special librarians can work towards this end through curricular consultation with the schools.

Citation

Thomas, A.R. (1978), "Post‐coordinate indexing and the prescribed classification and cataloguing curriculum in ALA‐accredited library schools: a national case study together with proposals of general applicability", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 30 No. 3, pp. 119-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb050622