26 Knowledge Organizations: ISKO, CRG and EDUG,etc
Dr M P Satija
1. Knowledge Organization as a Discipline:
Classification is an old age activity but only over the last century of research and studies it has acquired the status of a nascent discipline. To qualify as a discipline it has acquired the following dimensions and features:
- It has different schools of thought by methods and philosophy as well as based on nationalities. There are Indian, British, American and French school of thought in KO.
- K O is a practice based upon a sound theory.
- It has an enormous literature as reflected in ICIB (International Classification andIndexing Bibliography by I. Dahlberg) in five volumes covering literature of 1952-1987. Current bibliography is published serially and regularly in the Journal Knowledge Organization.
- Theory and practice of knowledge organization is taught at the university level throughout the world.
- It has many independent and exclusive journals namely Knowledge Organization,Cataloguing and Classification Quarterly, Journal of Internet Cataloguing,etc. In addition research papers on KO are published in almost all the journals in the LIS field.
- It has National and International professional organization for its promotion and researchwhich provide venues for continued professional development of its members both directly and indirectly.
- Conferences and seminars are regularly held by these organisations to report and discuss new development in the field.
1.1.Objectives of a professional association:
An Association of professionals seeks to stimulate participation and interaction among its members by affording them an environment for substantive professional exchange. It encourages and supports personal and professional growth through opportunities for members to extend their knowledge and skills, develop and use professional networks, pursue career development goals and assume leadership roles in the association and in the community. It sets norms for quality work, and formulates code of conduct for professional uprightness of its members. It liaisons with the government and acts an interface with the public.Some of the professional organizations engaged in the promotion of study and research in KO are given below:
2. Classification Research Group (CRG)
CRG was founded in 1952 in London on a suggestion from the well-known scientist J.D. Bernal (1901-1971) after the Royal Society Scientific Information Conference in 1948.Among its members were Derek Austin, Eric Coates, Jason Farradane, Robert Fairthorne, Douglas Foskett, Barbara Kyle, Derek Langridge, Jack Mills, Bernard Palmer, Jack Wells, and Brian Campbell Vickery. The group formed important principles forfaceted classification and also worked on the theory of integrative levels. The CRG members came mostly from industrial, special and academic libraries and information centers. Some of them had already been influenced by S.R. Ranganathan. Many of them were actively engaged in constructing schemes for arranging and indexing their own collections. They reached a conclusion that none of the published schemes provided a satisfactory answer either in arrangement or in depth of details. Earlier discussions centered on methodology and facet analysis. Agreement was quickly reached on necessity for both analysis and synthesis in classification construction. The CRG accepts facet analysis but does not restrict number to five only.
Early work of CRG is contained in ‘Sayers’ Memorial Volume edited by D.J. Foskett and Bernard Palmer in 1961. This group rejected all the existing scheme of classification as unsatisfactory for the purpose of modern documentation. So first few years were spent on foundations and principles of classification. After the initial discussion, then CRG published their manifesto “The need for a faceted classification as the basis of all methods of information retrieval, published in Library Association Record (LAR), July, 1955, Pages 262-268.
Soon afterwards the members began to produce individual depth schemes for special subjects such as soil science, garment technology, diamond technology, pharmaceuticals and occupational safety and health. All these schemes were faceted in nature . B C Vickery also wrote a small manual for designing faceted library classifications in 1960 . In late 1950s Barbara Kyle joined the group and tried in vain to produce classification without postulating main classes and wanted to divide entire concepts into personality and energy categories not named as such. The result of the work on special schemes led the CRG members to believe that this was not a right way so search began for new direction and they got a small grant of 14000 U.S. dollars from NATO. Ultimately it was to seek new principles for library classification. They also tried to devise Universal General Classification system. But they could never produce a new system. Ultimate aim was set to formulate a generalised information retrieval language with vocabulary and grammar.This grant lead to the development of PRECIS by Derek Austin(1921-2001) for use in the BNB. They have mostly refined Ranganathan’s methodology including simplification of notations. But most of the work later concentrated upon revising Bibliographic Classification of HE Bliss in its meetings under the editorship of J. Mills. In addition to this CRG has been collaborating with other bodies in organising international study conferences on classification. The CRGhas made a significant contribution to classification research and theory in the field of library and information science in the latter half of the 20th century.
3. International Society for Knowledge Organization (ISKO)
The International Society for Knowledge Organization, or ISKO, is the principal professional association for scholars of knowledge organization, knowledge structures, classification studies, and information organization and architecture. Founded in 1989 in Germany, its mission is “to advance conceptual work in knowledge organization in all kinds of forms, and for all kinds of purposes, such as databases, libraries, dictionaries and the Internet.” An interdisciplinary association, its worldwide membership of 400+ professionals and institutions is drawn from fields such as information science, philosophy, linguistics, library science, archive studies, science studies, and computer science. ISKO “promotes research, development and applications of knowledge organization systems that advance the philosophical, psychological and semantic approaches for ordering knowledge; provides the means of communication and networking on knowledge organization for its members; and functions as a connecting link between all institutions and national societies, working with problems related to the conceptual organization and processing of knowledge.”
The Society publishes the quarterly academic journalKnowledge Organization and holds biennial international conferences. It may not be out of place to mention that it held its 2nd such international conference in India in 1992 to commemorate the birth century of Ranganthan. It officially recognizes national chapters in Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. ISKO cooperates with international and national organizations such as UNESCO, the European Commission, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T), the Networked Knowledge Organization Systems/Services, and the International Information Centre for Terminology.
3.1. Mission of ISKO
ISKO is the leading organization with a truly global influence on the progress of research in KO. Its scope is broad and interdisciplinary with a mission to advance conceptual work in knowledge organization in all kinds of forms, and for all kinds of purposes, such as databases, libraries, dictionaries and the Internet. In order to achieve its mission and goals, ISKO works to:
- promote research, development and applications of knowledge organization systems that advance the philosophical, psychological and semantic approaches for ordering knowledge
- provide the means of communication and networking on knowledge organization for its members
- function as a connecting link between all institutions and national societies, working with problems related to the conceptual organization and processing of knowledge
3.1.1. Activities:
To achieve its missions its important activities are:
- international conferences every two years
- national and regional conferences on special topics
- publication of the leading quarterly journal in the field: Knowledge Organization (KO), formerly International Classification, founded in 1974
- ISKO News, published in Knowledge Organization
- the series Advances in Knowledge Organization (AKO)
3.2. Organisation
ISKO is democratically organized in an Executive Board with 7 members, and a Scientific Advisory Council currently with 22 members. General body meetings are arranged every two years at the time of ISKO biennial conference. ISKO has a number of national or regional chapters. ISKO cooperates with international and national organizations such as UNESCO, the European Commission, and ISO (the International Organization for Standardization). In addition it collaborates with:
- IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions), in particular the Section on Classification and Indexing,
- ASIS&T SIG/CR (the Special Interest Group on Classification Research of the American Society for Information Science and Technology),
- NKOS (Networked Knowledge Organization Systems/Services), and
- Infoterm (the International Information Centre for Terminology).
At present it is the most active and dominant association in the field of KO. Its stature and influence are a living tribute to the vision and efforts of founder PresidentMrs.Dr. I. Dahlberg who is much influenced by the work of Ranganathan.
4. FID Committee on Classification Research (FID/CR) (1952-2001):
It was a specialized committee of FID concerned with classification. It was founded in 1952 and named FID/CA. Ranganathan was its Rapporteur General. During 1951-1961 its office was in India and Ranganathan was its chairman. In 1961 its name was changed to FID/CR and its office remained rotated with the change of chairperson.
Work of FID/CR was to promote and co-ordinate study and research in classification. It had published country reports and maintained a clearing house. It also published who’s who in classification and Indexing (1983). Its newsletter was started in 1972 which was continued from West Germany. Later it was included in the International journal International Classification. It has done considerable work in standardized terminology of classification. More important work was organising International Study Conferences on classification. First conference held in 1957 in Dorking where its manifesto was approved. Ranganathan inaugurated this conference. Second conference was held in 1964. (Denmark) to approve the definition of classification. The DRTC Bangalore remained secretariat of FID/CR from 1971-1978 under the chair of Prof. A. Neelameghan and successfully organized 3rd International Conference on Classification Study and Research in Bombay in the year 1975. The topic was the problem of classifying multi-disciplinary subjects and to find some universal order system. 4th conference was held in Augsberg in Germany in 1980. The problem was classification as a tool for research. 5th conference was held in Canada 1991; and 1997 in London Classification. In 1994 the name of the FID/CR was changed to FID Committee on Classification Research for Knowledge Organisation. Accordingly its scope was “extended” to promote, sponsor and engage in research in the field of classification as it applies to all aspects of knowledge organization in storage and retrieval systems and all areas of information handling.
4.1. Activities of FID/CR:
Historically FID wasalso the proprietor of the UDC which it maintained through its another committee FID/CCC till it was handed over to a newly formed UDC Consortium in 1992. Among its other major accomplishments, it provided the know-how and other technical guidance in compilation of the Broad System of Ordering (BSO, 1978) which is a standard roof classification to act as a switching language between various indexing systems. The BSO edited by Eric J. Coates though not a shelf classification is known for its sound theoretical underpinnings. The DRTC, Bangalore in 1975 instituted the “FID/CR Ranganathan Award” which was awarded biennially to an individual who has made a distinguished contribution to classification research. Its recipients, among others, include Derek Austin (1976), Jack Mills (1984), A. Neelameghan (1992), I. Dahlberg (1996) and Elaine Svenonius (1998).
FID ceased to exist on 31st March 2001 due to financial reasons, and thus came an abrupt end to a dynamic organization whose seminal contributions to international library and information science especially in classification will always be felt andvisibly seen.
5. IFLA: Classification and Indexing Section
It was established in 1981 with Robert P. Holley as the founder chairperson. Thoughits aim is somewhat similar to that of FID/CR but at that time it had not been that affective as was FID/CR. This section holds its one day seminar at the time of annual IFLA conferences. Some of its important functions are:
1. Advocacy for classification.
2. To gather knowledge about current developments in classification
3. Sponsoring research in the area
4. Publishing and publicizing international developments in the field
5. Formulating standards in classification data representation in MARC
6. Serving as a forum for the Third World needs, very particularly about the needs of Developing Countries.
7. Acting as a clearing house
8. Preparing country reports on the state of the art in classification there.
The essential aim of this IFLA Section is to act as a forum for users and producers of classification and subject indexing tools. Its terms of reference are to promote standardization and uniform application of classification and subject indexing tools by institutions generating or utilizing bibliographic records: to initiate and promote advice on research in the subject approach to information, and, to disseminate research results through open meetings and research publications. Since the closure of FID/CR it has taken over some of its functions to carry on.
5.1. Scope
The Classification and Indexing Section focuses on methods of providing subject access in catalogues, bibliographies, and indexes to documents of all kinds, including electronic documents. The Section serves as a forum for producers and users of classification and subject indexing tools, and it works to facilitate international exchange of information about methods of providing subject access in libraries and information services of all types.
It promotes standardization and uniform application of classification and indexing tools by institutions generating or utilizing bibliographic records. It initiates and gives advice about research in the subject approach to information, and it disseminates the results through open meetings and publications. It works closely with the other sections of the IFLA Division of Library Services and with the IFLA UNIMARC Core Activity.
6. ASIS&T (Associationfor Information Science and Technology)
Since 1937, the US based Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) has been the association for information professionals leading the search for new and better theories, techniques, and technologies to improve access to information.It brings together diverse streams of knowledge, focusing what might be different and varied approaches into novel solutions of common problems. ASIS&T bridges the gaps not only between disciplines but also between the research that drives the practices that sustain new developments.
Its 4000 members from all over the world are drawn from information specialists from such fields as computer science, linguistics, management, librarianship, engineering, law, medicine, chemistry, and education.They all share a common interest in improving the ways society stores, retrieves, analyzes, manages, archives and disseminates information, coming together for mutual benefit.
The ASIS&T envisions to make its members effective information professional and indispensable to company, institution or organization they serve. It aptly feels “Techniques and technologies emerge daily in the fields of library and information science, communications, networking and computer science. Yet information professionals in one discipline are often unaware of key developments in others. What an irony that a field advocating the development, sharing and use of information is itself isolated.”
6.1. Purpose
ASIS&T increases the influence of information professionals among decision-makers by focusing attention on the importance of information as a vital resource in a high-technology age and promotes informed policy on national and international information issues by contributing to the formation of those policies. As an association it supports the advancement of the state-of-the art and practice by taking a leadership position in the advocacy of research and development in basic and applied information science.
To accomplish these goals, ASIS&T edits, publishes, and disseminates publications concerning research and development; convenes annual meetings providing a forum for papers, presentations, discussions, and major policy statements. It regularly holds annual conferences in addition to smaller chapter and special interest meetings, as well as special symposia; and acts as a sounding board for promotion of research and development and for the education of information professionals.
6.2. SIG/CR(Special Interest Group: Classification Research)
It studies the fundamental principles, underlying processes, and systematic construction of classification schemes and procedures by manual or machine methods. It is concerned with organizing information, and includes indexing, index construction, indexing language, thesaurus construction, terminology, classification of information in any form, and testing and evaluating the effectiveness of these products. It is also concerned with the ability to develop theories from practical experience. Theoretical emphases include cognition, grouping and organization of groupings, and linguistics.
7. Documentation Research and Training Center (DRTC, Bangalore):
Founded by Ranganathan in 1962 on the invitation of Government of India to promote research andimparttraining in documentation work,its initial work has been mostly concerned with classification theory and development of Colon Classification which was hisfavourite field. Ranganathan was the National Research Professor in Library Science from the year 1965-1972.The initial work of the centre is concentrated upon designing very depth schedules for different special subjects. In general Centre is concerned with entire theory of Library Classification:
1. To do research in the designing of classification methodology: Idea, Verbal and Notational Planes.
2. To study the modes of growth of knowledge.
3. The latest work of the centre is reflected in POPSI and Research in SIL (Subject Indexing Languages) by M.A. Gopinath and G. Bhattcharyya. The centre holds seminars, courses, professional annual seminars.
4. DRTC earliercopublished the journal ‘Library Science with slant to documentation since 1964 and now the name has bit changed “Library Science with slant to Documentation and information”. It is no more published.
5. Centre also did theory work on the feasibility of using Colon Classification in computerized classification system. The 7th edition of Colon Classification published in 1987 was edited by M.A. Gopinath who was Professor at DRTC.
8. The European DDC Users Group (EDUG).
Over the past ten years, extensive translation projects have been completed in Europe to produce the French, Italian and German editions of the Dewey Decimal Classification. Experience has shown that the translation and adaptation of the DDC in the European context can be difficult.It is in this context that EDUG was established in with OCLC to foster cooperation in the development of DDC in Europe. In particular, EDUG aims:
- To promote professional interests of all users of the DDC in Europe by the exchange of experience in the use of the DDC;
- To coordinate proposals for the development of the DDC according to the bibliographic needs of European libraries and users in collaboration with the Dewey Classification Editorial Policy Committee (EPC) and OCLC;
- To encourage the development and dissemination of techniques, applications, software, documentation and procedures in the areas of translation and access;
- To encourage and promote co-operation in the translation of the DDC into European languages.
8.1. Members
The current members of EDUG are:
· Bibliotecanazionalecentrale di Firenze
· Bibliothèquenationale de France
· Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
· National Library of Norway
· National Library of Sweden
· ÖsterreichischeNationalbibliothek(The Austrian National Library)
· Swiss National Library
· The British LibraryClassification Research Group
At the moment it has four active working groups for Law, Education, Archives and Technical issues.
9. Societies for Indexers:
Indexing is a core act and area of knowledge organisation which involves ordering of all type of knowledge.Index is defined as“ordered arrangement of entries … designed to enable users to locate information in a document or specific documents in a collection”(ISO 999: 1996). Usually indexers are involved in preparing back of the book indexes which is a highly technical and professional task.For the promotion of such fields many independent organisations of indexers have come up in many countries especially in the UK, USA, Canada, China and Australia.Here isgiven brief description about only two such societies active in the UK and USA, respectively.
9.1. The Society of Indexers (UK)
Founded in 1957, the Society of Indexers is the only autonomous professional body for indexers in the United Kingdom and Ireland and is associated with other indexing organizations around the world. It is an Organization in liaison with the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (earlier the Library Association, London).Its office is in Sheffield, England, but has members worldwide.Membership is open to any person who is or intends to be directly involved in indexing and includes specialist indexers in more than a hundred different subjects, from accountancy to zoology. It exists to promote indexing, the quality of indexes and the profession of indexing.
9.1.1. Activities:
The Society runs its own distance-learning training course, offering a thorough grounding in the principles and practice of indexing and leading to the status of Accredited Indexer. Members may then progress to Advanced Professional Member and Fellowship. The Society also organizes an annual conference, produces a directory of Indexers Available. It started publishing its international journal, The Indexer ISSN 0019-4131 (print) ISSN 1756-0632 (online), in 1958 which continues today and is the official journal of all the indexing societies. Originally published twice each year, it is now quarterly. Issues are available online on its website .The society newsletter SIdelights is published quarterly and is only available to society members. A network of local groups and an email discussion listSIdeline help to keep members in touch with one another. It is no exaggeration to call it the mother of all indexing societies.
9.2. American Society for Indexing(ASI)
ASI is a nonprofit organization founded in 1968 as the American Society of Indexers to promote excellence in indexing and increase awareness of the value of well-written indexes. In March 2008 the name of the society was changed to the American Societyfor Indexing.ASI is governed by a Board of Directors elected from among the membership. The Headquarters Office of ASI handles member services, routine administrative tasks, and production of society’s bulletin, Key Words. The Headquarters Office of the American Society for Indexing is operated under contract by Sagebrush Association Management.
9.2.1. Purpose and Objectives
A nonprofit educational and charitable organization, ASI serves indexers, librarians, abstractors, editors, publishers, database producers, data searchers, product developers, technical writers, academic professionals, researchers and readers, and others concerned with indexing. It is the only professional organization in the United States devoted solely to the advancement of indexing, abstracting and database construction. ASI encourages the participation of all persons, groups, and organizations interested in indexing and related methods of information retrieval. Its mission isto advocate, educate, and provide the central resource for indexing.
ASI is affiliated with indexing societies in other countries and has members from around the world and chapters across the United States. The annual meeting are held in the spring or summer. Chapter meetings and workshops are offered on a regional basis. Membership is open to any interested persons – writers, freelance and salaried indexers, librarians, editors, publishers, and organizations employing indexers.
9.2.2. Functions:
ASI is committed to improving the quality of indexing and serving the needs of indexers. It works to accomplish these goals by:
- Increasing awareness of the value of high-quality indexes and indexing.
- Offering members access to educational resources that enable them to strengthen their indexing performance.
- Keeping members up to date on advances in indexing technology and the expanding role of indexing through conferences, workshops, and publications.
- Providing members with a variety of means of communication – through meetings, directories, publications, and electronic communication – with each other and related professionals.
- Defending and safeguarding the professional interests of indexers.
- Promoting index standards for indexers, editors, and abstractors.
- Providing liaisons to other professional organizations in information science
ASI serves members whose expertise includes indexing print and electronic media, database indexing, abstracting, writing and editing in all specialties, information development, information retrieval, library science, training and professional development, and standards development. . Such benefits include:
- Annual conferences and regional meetings on topics of concern to indexers, including workshops, exhibits, training sessions, and discussion groups
- Administration, judging, and presentation of the annual ASI-EBSCO Publishing Award for excellence in book indexing
- The Hines Award for distinguished service to the American Society for Indexing
- KEY WORDS, ASI’s electronic bulletin issued twelve times a year with one annual printed edition
- The opportunity to be listed in ASI’s widely distributed annual directory of freelance indexers
- An ASI Web site
- Organizational promotion of public education about indexing
- Opportunities to pursue mentoring relationships
- Networking
10. Glossary
FID:
FID was established on 12 September, 1895, in Brussels, as the International Institute of Bibliography (originally Institut International de Bibliographie, IIB) by two Belgian lawyers, Paul Otlet (1868-1944) and Henri La Fontaine (1854-1943). Its headquarters was changed to The Hague after 1934. FID was dissolved in 2001. It has gone through a number of changes in name as under that reflect changes of conceptualisation of the field in which it operates.
- 1931 – The International Institute for Documentation (Institut International de Documentation, IID)
- 1937 – The International Federation for Documentation (FédérationInternationale de Documentation, FID)
- 1988 – The International Federation for Information and Documentation (FédérationInternationaled’Information et de Documentation, FID)
IFLA:
Founded in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1927 The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. As the global voice of the library and information profession, it has now over 1500 Members in approximately 150 countries around the world. IFLA was registered in the Netherlands in 1971. The Royal Library, the national library of the Netherlands, in The Hague, is headquarters.
Professional Association:
Known by various names such as Societies, Group, Forum, Associations etc., it is a non-political, non-government democratic body of professionals belonging to a specific subject or profession to promote the profession and to provide a forum to individual members to work collectively for technical progress and better image of the profession in the society. It liaisons with the government and the society at large for the betterment of the profession and its members.
11. References
- Afolabi, M. 1985. “A sociological study of the Classification Research Group”. Library Science with a Slant to Documentation, 22(2), 77-85.
- Dahlberg, Ingetraut. 1981. “35 years of FID/CR” Int. Forum for Inf. & Documentation.” 6(3):20-26.
- Dahlberg, Ingetraut. 2010 “International Society for Knowledge Organization (ISKO)”, Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences, Third Edition, NY: Taylor & Francis, pp.2941- 2949.
- EDUG: http://www.slainte.org.uk/edug.index.htm
- Foskett, D. J.1971. “The Classification Research Group 1952-1968”. In Kent, A.; Lancour, H. Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science,Vol. 5. New York: Marcel Dekker. pp. 141–145.
- Hopkins, F. 1973. “General classification theory: a review of the CRG work”. Library Resources and Technical Services17 (2): 201–210.
- McIlwaine, I.; Broughton, V. 2000. “The Classification Research Group: then and now”.
- Knowledge Organization27 (4): 195–199.
- Satija, M.P. 1993. “A deserted bastion: Classification and Indexing in India: A State of the Art” Int.Cat& Bib Control. 22(3): 51-54.
- Smiraglia, R. 2002 “The progress of Theory in Knowledge Organisation” Library Trends. 50(3):303-359.
- Spiteri, L. F. 1995. “The Classification Research Group and the Theory of Integrative Levels”. Katharine Sharp Review1 (Summer): 1–6.
- Wilson, T. D. 1972. “The work of the British CRG”. In Wellisch, H.; Wilson, T. D. Subject Retrieval in the Seventies: New Directions. Proceedings of an International Symposium held at the Center of Adult Education, University of Maryland, College Park, May 14–15, 1971Westport, Conn.: Greenwood. pp. 62–71.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_Indexers (Accessed on 25 July 2014)
- http://www.asindexing.org/about/history/ (Accessed on 25th July 2014)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Society_for_Indexing(Accessed on 25th July 2014)
Learn More:
Module LIS/KOP – C/18: Knowledge Organisation: ISKO, CRG and EDUG, etc.
- Do you know
- It is essential for a subject to have a professional association to get the status of a discipline.
- ISKO is the first independent international organisation in classification and indexing which was founded in 1989 in Germany by Dr. Mrs. Ingetraut Dahlberg.
- Points to remember
- Classification over the years has gained the status of an independent discipline.
- There are national and international organisations to promote study and research in classification and indexing.
- There are journals, textbooks and research literature in abundance on classification.
- In 1950s and 1960s the best brains in LIS were engaged in the study of and research in classification.
- Classification Research Group, London established in 1952 was a very active and influential group of volunteers engaged in classification studies and research.
- Sadly there is no association even organisation devoted to the research in and promotion of the CC.
- IFLA, American Society for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) have Working Groups on classification and indexing.
- Websites: