Indexes, AbstractsIndexes, Abstracts

LIS 704LIS 704

Summer 2009Summer 2009

Reference & Online ResourcesReference & Online Resources

Qualities of Indexes and AbstractsQualities of Indexes and Abstracts

One of the oldest forms of library One of the oldest forms of library toolstools

These began as bibliographic These began as bibliographic projects launched with publishers projects launched with publishers back in the 1870sback in the 1870s

Poole’s IndexPoole’s Index It came from Buffalo – the early It came from Buffalo – the early

development after development after Poole’s IndexPoole’s Index

Robinson’s IdeaRobinson’s Idea “…“…invented a loose-leaf system for a invented a loose-leaf system for a

subject index to periodicals, and a loose-subject index to periodicals, and a loose-leaf index to over 200 volumes of essays leaf index to over 200 volumes of essays and general literature. He believed that it and general literature. He believed that it was the duty of the librarian to administer was the duty of the librarian to administer his library so that everything it contained his library so that everything it contained should be accessible to every reader, with should be accessible to every reader, with as little inconvenience as possible. He as little inconvenience as possible. He worried less about how many books his worried less about how many books his library had, or how much money he had to library had, or how much money he had to buy books. It was the usefulness of the buy books. It was the usefulness of the books that guided his administration.” books that guided his administration.”

Post PoolePost Poole

One standard guide for periodical One standard guide for periodical literature -- Harvard literature -- Harvard

From the Library of CongressFrom the Library of Congress From the Arts and Humanities From the Arts and Humanities

Research Council in Great Britain –Research Council in Great Britain –The Nineteenth Century Serials EditionThe Nineteenth Century Serials Edition

Qualities of Indexes and Abstracts Qualities of Indexes and Abstracts in the 21in the 21stst century century

They are often full text, nearly all have They are often full text, nearly all have abstractsabstracts

They are often expensive and come with They are often expensive and come with powerful search enginespowerful search engines

Libraries get involved on a limited basis or Libraries get involved on a limited basis or in direct response to a perception of being in direct response to a perception of being “overpriced”“overpriced”

Aimed at users, not librariansAimed at users, not librarians No longer about periodicals, but include No longer about periodicals, but include

other kinds of publicationsother kinds of publications

ExamplesExamples

JstorJstor Elsevier Science DirectElsevier Science Direct Project MuseProject Muse Academic Search PremierAcademic Search Premier Biological and Agriculture IndexBiological and Agriculture Index Cambridge University PressCambridge University Press Community of ScienceCommunity of Science History CooperativeHistory Cooperative

Cost and Management Cost and Management Expectations for LibrariesExpectations for Libraries

Managing these kinds of resources Managing these kinds of resources no longer library-centricno longer library-centric

Users seek a way to do “federated” Users seek a way to do “federated” searching of the literaturesearching of the literature

The fracture of multiple search The fracture of multiple search interfaces vs. the simplicity of Googleinterfaces vs. the simplicity of Google

Long term preservation and accessLong term preservation and access