Information Organization in Libraries

Recommended Prerequisites

n.a.

Teaching Methods

The content is presented in theoretical and practical classes, supported by practical cases, with the aim of introducing core concepts and principles, specifically bibliographic description and authority control in the catalogue of authors and titles, as well as document analysis and information representation using classification systems. Students will be encouraged to participate through exercises and discussion of practical cases. This approach will be complemented by recommended reading for students to further explore the basic concepts and procedures.

Learning Outcomes

This course unit aims to provide students with the basic knowledge for organising information in library services. Thus, at the end of the course, students should:
a) understand the structuring role of information organisation in libraries as a foundation for the retrieval, dissemination, preservation and access to knowledge;
b) explain the contribution of document analysis to the process of information organisation in libraries;
c) apply the Consolidated ISBD in the description of information resources (monographs);
d) understand the role of authority control (authors and titles) in the library catalogue;
e) identify classification languages as a tool for subject representation in libraries.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Information organisation in libraries: conceptualisation and contextualisation
1.1. What is organising?
1.2. Functions of information organisation

2. Introduction to document analysis
2.1. Definition of document analysis
2.2. Functions of document analysis

3. Introduction to bibliographic description and authority control: principles and methodologies
3.1. International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD): Consolidated Edition
3.1.1. Purpose of bibliographic description
3.1.2. Specification of areas and their elements
3.1.3 Problem-solving exercises
3.2. Authority control in the catalogue of authors and titles
3.2.1. Basic terminology
3.2.2. Phases/steps for establishing access points
3.2.3. Determination of main entries

4. Introduction to subject representation: principles and methodologies
4.1. Introduction to subject representation procedures
4.2. Bibliographic classifications for subject representation

Head Lecturer(s)

Ana Lúcia Silva Terra

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 30.0%
Frequency: 70.0%

Bibliography

IFLA. (2012). Descrição Bibliográfica Internacional Normalizada (ISBD): edição consolidada. Lisboa: BN.
Joudrey, D. N. (2025). The organization of information. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing
Joudrey, D. N.; Taylor, A. G.; Miller, D. P. (2015). Introduction to cataloging and classification (11th ed.). Libraries Unlimited.
Machado, R. de S., & Zafalon, Z. R. (2020). Catalogação: dos princípios e teorias ao RDA e IFLA LRM. João Pessoa: Editora UFPB.
Regras Portuguesas de Catalogação. (2000). Lisboa: Biblioteca Nacional.
Rodríguez Bravo, B. (2011). Apuntes sobre representación y organización de la información. Gijón: Trea.
Salaba, A., & Chan, L. M. (2023). Cataloging and Classification: An Introduction. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Simões, M. da G. (2011). Classificações bibliográficas: percurso de uma teoria. Coimbra: Almedina.