Way back when I first started library school and was taking the basic intro courses the first week of class was always laid back and easy. There would be a few things to read and discuss but mostly it was let’s get to know each other time. How things have changed. The first week is still get to know each other but in addition to that the reading is piled on and we are expected to have it read it, digested it and jump into discussion within a few days. It’s kind of stressful and it takes me a week or two to find a rhythm.
My class this summer is “content representation.” Here is the description about the class from the course syllabus:
Focuses on fundamental decisions in designing subject access systems and alternative approaches to indexing. Explores current issues in content representation: principles of subject analysis; natural language vs. vocabulary control; manual, computer-assisted, and automatic indexing; faceted indexing and classification systems; image indexing and retrieval; indexing and the World Wide Web. Includes evaluation of indexer consistency and indexing system performance.
This is a very different description than the class listing online which makes the class sound like cataloging with an emphasis on electronic resources. I actually much prefer the class this has turned out to be. I have always been fascinated by indexing and once, a long time ago, investigated how to become a professional book indexer. So in spite of the 100 pages or so I read these last couple of days with new terms and theories I had to learn, it is fun and interesting.
This week our readings and discussion are about automatic (computer) indexing vs human indexing and in conjunction with this we are also discussing user-centered indexing (user chooses the terms) vs controlled vocabulary (someone else has chosen the terms). It is quite interesting as it gets into asking questions about what information is, how we search for information and why, and the basics of how we create knowledge about the world.
There will be two big projects and several small assignments mostly relating to the projects. One of the projects has a group component to it but I don’t think it will be bad because it seems like we will each have completed a major portion of the project on our own before we have to finish it as a group.
So this is what I will be doing over the next ten weeks. I think as far as my non-school reading goes, if the school reading is going to be as heady every week as it was this week, I’ll be looking for books that won’t be taking much brain power to read. I already have some ideas, so we’ll wait and see. One thing I am really excited about, this is the last time I will be in school over the summer. Next summer I will be free and oh, the reading I will do then!
So exciting!! You are getting so close.
I know you are looking forward to finishing and to having next summer free to read for yourself! You’ve put in so much time and work, you deserve the free reading time that will be available next summer.
Daphne, I know! It’s making it hard sometime to concentrate and be motivated.
Good Luck in this summer class. I don’t know how you find time to leisure read while working & going to school. That’s admirable
I had to index one of my own projects once; it was shockingly difficult. But then, I had no information studies background whatsoever.
Congrats on being in the home stretch!!!
Is there no tinge of preemptive nostalgia at all in all of this? The idea to be done by the same time next year… That sounds exhilarating and a little “disappointing” to me.
Or perhaps that’s because I’m just one year into going back to school, and I can’t think of a better “professional” decision I ever made… And I wish you the same feeling!
I’ve always thought working in a library would be heaven. Of course, you’re already doing that, but you are getting very close to your goal and I say “Bravo” to you. (Although I’ll have to say to as a “civilian” the syllabus description is enough to make me quake!)
Wow, what happened to my comment? I know I wrote a comment on this last night. Maybe I forgot to post it. Anyhow, indexing fascinates me too. I loved my course on it way back when and would love to do a formal update on it. I hope you post some of the things you learn along the way because I think this issue is fundamental to what is happening today and too few people really appreciate the significance of indexing and of good search software. I’d love to hear some current thinking as you interpret it. Congratulations on reaching your last semester!
oooh the end is in sight! You know I have such admiration for you working your way through this long and complex course whilst holding down the day job. You rock! And I’m very glad to know you – I loathe indexing and next time I have to write one, I’m coming straight to you for tips!
Helen, thanks! Most reading takes place on my public transit commute and whatever bits of time I can eke out.
Colleen, there is definitely an art to indexing.
Charlotte, no preemptive nostalgia. I’ve been taking a class every quarter since fall 2007 and I am tired and looking forward to having a life again. I am glad I have done it though. No regrets. Good luck with your schooling!
Grad, thank you! Working in a library is pretty close to heaven. Your civilian comment made me laugh. The course description makes it sound harder than it really is.
whisperinggums, sorry if wordpress ate your comment. I searched my spam file just in case but it wasn’t there. I will be sure to post about the especially interesting bits about indexing which will be easier knowing you are interested in it
Litlove, you’re such a sweetheart! The closer I get to the finish line the antsier I get to be done. and of course I’ll be glad to provide any tips, advice or support for you when next you have to write an index.