Puzzles and Pearls

Subject cataloging has long been considered one of the library world's most intellectually challenging activities. Broadly speaking, it is a two-step process: deciding the subject matter, or aboutness, of a particular document; and assigning the subject headings and classification numbers that best encapsulate it. However, despite centuries of organizing information, we know very little about how we actually analyze documents for this purpose.



Through observation, think-aloud procedures, and in-depth, semi-structured interviews, Daniel Joudrey offers a window into the world of subject determination processes: How do individuals approach the process of determining aboutness? Which bibliographic, content, and visual cues are most useful in finding important aboutness data? What patterns are common in the subject determination process?



Through a compelling combination of narrative text and user-friendly statistical support, we are not only introduced to the various processes and operations used to determine subject matter, but provided with workable models of practical use in libraries and information centers.