Introduction to controlled vocabularies : terminology for art, architecture, and other cultural works

This is a practical tool and comprehensive introduction to the use of controlled vocabularies. This authoritative and detailed volume presents readers with a how-to guide to building controlled vocabulary tools, cataloguing and indexing cultural materials with terms and names from controlled vocabularies, and how to use vocabularies in search engines and databases to enhance discovery and retrieval online. «Introduction to Controlled Vocabularies» also features in-depth discussions on a number of topics, including: What are controlled vocabularies and why are they useful? Which vocabularies exist for cataloguing art and cultural objects? and how should they be used for indexing and retrieving? This book provides organizations and individuals with a practical tool for creating and implementing vocabularies as reference tools, sources of documentation, and powerful enhancements for online searching. This detailed book is a "how-to" guide to building controlled vocabulary tools, cataloging and indexing cultural materials with terms and names from controlled vocabularies, and using vocabularies in search engines and databases to enhance discovery and retrieval on line. Also covered are the What are controlled vocabularies and why are they useful? Which vocabularies exist for cataloging art and cultural objects? How should they be integrated in a cataloging system? How should they be used for indexing and for retrieval? How should an institution construct a local authority file? The links and relationships in a controlled vocabulary ensure that relationships are defined and maintained for both cataloging and retrieval, clarifying whether a "rose window" and a "Catherine wheel" are the same thing, or how "pot-metal glass" is related to the more general term "stained glass." Introduction to Controlled Vocabularies provides organizations and individuals with a practical tool for creating and implementing vocabularies as reference tools, sources of documentation, and powerful enhancements for online searching. This primer on the characteristics, scope, uses, and methods for building and maintaining controlled vocabularies for art and cultural materials explains how vocabularies should be integrated in cataloging systems; utilized for indexing and retrieval; and structured to group synonyms and arrange concepts into categories. The updated edition reflects recent developments in the field, including new national and international standards, current trends such as Linked Open Data, and revisions to the Getty vocabularies. The glossary and bibliography have also been updated. Controlled Vocabularies In Context -- What Are Controlled Vocabularies? -- Relationships In Controlled Vocabularies -- Vocabularies For Cultural Objects -- Using Multiple Vocabularies -- Local Authorities -- Constructing A Vocabulary Or Authority -- Indexing With Controlled Vocabularies -- Retrieval Using Controlled Vocabularies. Patricia Harpring. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 239-244). Presents an introduction to the use of controlled vocabularies. This book presents readers with a "how-to" guide to building controlled vocabulary tools, and indexing cultural materials with terms and names from controlled vocabularies, and how to use vocabularies in search engines and databases to enhance discovery and retrieval online.