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At present, there are several obstacles to efficient information retrieval regarding the world's standards. There is no uniformity in subject classification, although most standards are classified by the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC); there are no international indexes to the subjects covered; foreign standards and superseded standards (sometimes needed for legal purposes) are generally unavailable at national standards institutions. The proposed Centre would (1) standardize the usage of UDC for standard classification by assigning approved and uniform UDC-numbers; (2) convert all data relating to the world's standards to machine-readable form (punched cards and magnetic tape) for information retrieval by subject, country, language, etc., and for exchange of data between information centres and users of standards; (3) store all current standards as hard copy and on microfiche; (4) store all superseded standards on microfiche only; (5) publish lists and indexes as well as polyglot subject dictionaries. Procedures for assignment and control of UDC-numbers are outlined and a tentative proposal for coding of data on 80-column cards is made. (Author)

The 384 references in this bibliography represent a selection of recent literature (post 1960) on the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC). More selectivity is applied to earlier literature, and only the more significant items, generally of substantial importance, are chosen from publications earlier than 1950. The objective is to assemble a list in English and other languages that would present a well-balanced record of the nature of the UDC as a major ordering system among the established classification systems. Publications of the UDC (full or abridged) individual schedules, and amendments are not included. (Author)

A set of twenty five questions was processed against a computer-stored file of 9159 document references in the field of ferrous metallurgy, representing the 1965 coverage of the Iron and Steel Institute (London) information service. A basis for evaluation of system performance characteristics and analysis of system failures was provided by using questions which had previously been processed by the American Society for Metals against a data base which contained many of the same documents. The Cuadra-Kratter model for describing the system evaluation environment was used. The results, which were highly satisfactory, led to observations and recommendations which contrast the requirements for class definition, indexing policy, and search strategy between manual and computer-based systems which use UDC. (Author)

THE BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE PROJECT ARE REVIEWED BRIEFLY. SPECIFIC AREAS DISCUSSED ARE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE UDC SCHEDULES, A COMPUTER-BASED UDC FILE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, DATA BASES FOR RETRIEVAL EXPERIMENTS, AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM EVALUATION. THE CONCLUSIONS DEAL WITH THE USEFULNESS OF THE UDC FOR MECHANIZED RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS, NEEDED RESEARCH, NEEDED ORGANIZATIONAL EFFORT, AND A PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR. APPENDIX 1 GIVES A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF AIP/UDC PROJECT REPORTS WITH ABSTRACTS. APPENDIX 2 GIVES INFORMATION ABOUT THE AIP/UDC PROJECT MAGNETIC TAPES AND OTHER TAPES CONTAINING AIP/UDC PROJECT MATERIALS. THESE MATERIALS INCLUDE ABOUT 50,000 UDC-INDEXED DOCUMENT REFERENCES AND THE UDC ENGLISH LANGUAGE MASTER FILES. APPENDIX 3 GIVES A SUMMARY OF THE STATUS OF THE UDC IN ENGLISH. APPENDIX 4, ISSUED SEPARATELY AS LI 000 584, IS THE UDC ENGLISH MEDIUM EDITION MANUSCRIPT. APPENDIX 5, ALSO ISSUED SEPARATELY AS LI 000 585, CONTAINS THE UDC ENGLISH LANGUAGE MASTER FILES. (AUTHOR/RP)

The papers presented at a symposium on subject retrieval held at the University of Maryland in May 1971 are contained in this proceedings volume. The titles of the speeches are as follows: (1) Subject retrieval in the seventies -- methods, problems, prospects; (2) Recent research trends in the field of information retrieval languages; (3) A general model for indexing languages: the basis for compatibility and integration; (4) The work of the British classification research group; (5) Thesaurofacet -- a new concept in subject retrieval schemes; (6) The PRECIS system for computer-generated indexes and its use in the British National Bibliography; (7) The Universal Decimal Classification as an international switching language; (8) The UDC in mechanized subject information; and (9) Library of Congress subject headings -- review and forecast. An edited version of the panel discussion, the list of symposium participants and a listing of the retrieval systems used by the participants are included. (SJ)

The stress of this symposium was on the role of the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) and other indexing languages, especially in multilingual and multidisciplinary information systems, rather than on its potential uses in mechanized retrieval systems. The consensus of the Symposium was: (1) that a system like the UDC cannot, without major structural changes, continue to serve as an internationally accepted ordering system for the rapidly proliferating new subject-fields that have to be handled in modern information retrieval systems; (2) UDC improvement should be based on better methodology and clearer guidelines for those working to revise specific fields and (3) that the International Federation for Documentation (FID) should aim at preparing, publishing and maintaining a Standard Reference (SR) scheme consisting of a "roof classification schedule" of not more than three or four hierarchic levels as the unifying/switching language, with suitably indicated points and symbol devices for coupling to specific classifications, thesauri, etc. leaving the responsibility for full editions with national members and special-subject editions with the specialized interests concerned. A list of symposium participants is appended. (Author/NH)

An investigation was made of the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) as an indexing language for computer retrieval. Problem areas were identified (notation, schedules, application), new developments reviewed (combining precedence devices, subject analysis matrices, guidelines for schedule revision, pilot schedules, parenthesis-free notation for searching), and a broad overview and history of the UDC are presented in ten papers. Faceted classification techniques applied to the UDC are recommended throughout the investigation for better consistency in application. (Author)

A single issue of Nuclear Science Abstracts, containing about 2,300 abstracts, was indexed by Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) using the Special Subject Edition of UDC for Nuclear Science and Technology. The descriptive cataloging and UDC-indexing records formed a computer-stored data base. A systematic random sample of 500 additional abstracts, taken from a collection of about 196,000, was also indexed by UDC. An experimental design was developed such that the potential result of retrieval tests with the full collection could be inferred from actual results obtained from the two smaller data bases. Sixty questions were collected from nuclear science research organizations in North America and Europe. Two search analysts, neither of whom was familiar with the policies and practices of the indexers, formulated logical search statements with UDC numbers. The resulting queries were processed against the UDC-indexed data bases. They were also processed by two other information services. Twelve questions, a subset of the original sixty, were chosen for more detailed analysis. The results are presented in the report. (Author)

The objectives of the seminar were to report on: (1) the American Institute of Physics (AIP) Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) project work; (2) the UDC work, trends and opinions in Germany, the United Kingdom and other countries and (3) the production and development of UDC schedules and indexes, and Perreault's work on "relators." Twelve of the seminar papers are included. (MF)

The text provides an application of programmed learning to the teaching and study of classification and indexing. It is aimed at students in library schools to familiarize them with the principles and techniques of the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC). The book can also be used as a manual for self-instruction in UDC for those unable to receive formal training. The user is led through the task of classing documents as they are actually encountered in existing libraries and information centers. The selected titles represent a cross-section of subjects and every main class of UDC is represented in proportion to its significance and extent in the scheme. Filing of classified entries is treated briefly. (AB)

THIS APPENDIX TO THE FINAL REPORT OF THE AIP/UDC PROJECT (LI 000 583) INCLUDES THE COMPLETE, MERGED SET OF UDC SCHEDULES ACCUMULATED BY THE AIP/UDC PROJECT FROM 1965-1967. PART 1 OF THE FILE CONTAINS 110,759 RECORDS. EACH RECORD INCLUDES THE UDC NUMBER, A CODE WHICH REPRESENTS THE SOURCE OF THE RECORD, AND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE EQUIVALENT OF THE UDC NUMBER. MANY RECORDS ALSO CONTAIN CROSS REFERENCES AND SCOPE NOTES WHICH SERVE TO FURTHER DEFINE AND DELIMIT A CONCEPT. PART 2, THE REVERSE CROSS REFERENCE FILE, CONTAINS 24,140 RECORDS OF CROSS REFERENCES IN THE ORDER OF THE UDC NUMBERS REFERRED TO BY A GIVEN RECORD. THESE FILES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON MAGNETIC TAPE RECORDED AT A DENSITY OF 800 CPI IN IBM BCD CODE FROM THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS, 335 EAST 45TH STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10017. BOTH 7 AND 9-TRACK VERSIONS EXIST. A RELATED DOCUMENT IS LI 000 584, UDC ENGLISH MEDIUM EDITION MANUSCRIPT. (RP)

This report describes an experimental system for remote direct access to files of computer-stored information which has been indexed by the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC). The data base for the experiment consisted of references from a single issue of Nuclear Science Abstracts. The Special Subject Edition of UDC for Nuclear Science and Technology was also stored in the computer so users could discover how to translate their questions from natural language to logical statements containing UDC numbers. The author conclude that the technical feasibility of use of existing classification and indexing tools, such as UDC, has been demonstrated. However detailed attention to all facets of man-machine communication is a necessity if systems are to be designed which will be voluntarily used. AUDACIOUS is reviewed and criticized from this point of view. The authors also conclude that the use of UDC in an on-line, interactive system may have important ramifications for the development of international information networks. Conversion tables (schedules) already exist which would allow speakers of many languages to search files indexed by UDC without regard to national or linguistic boundaries. (Author)

Surveys the most recent developments in the complete revision or reform of the Universal Decimal Classification. (Author/PF)

Surveys the development of applied library classification during the past quarter century. (PF)

Source cataloging consists of preparing a definitive card from an advance copy of a book. This card is promptly sent to the publisher to be duplicated for insertion in every copy of the book before distribution. (NH)

The possibilities of merging the terminology of the Universal Decimal Classification System with that of a term system - Engineers Joint Council's Thesaurus - for nuclear science and technology are explored. (12 references) (Author/NH)

Mechanization has been introduced in the preparation of UDC and alphabetical indexes using a KWIC Program to access directly documentation files. A special feature of the system is that the KWIC serial number equals the program sorting number equals the encoded UDC form equals the storage or shelving number. (9 references) (Author/NH)

English has become the primary language of most information retrieval tools. This makes it almost impossible for the non-English speaking world to take advantage of American abstracting and indexing services. One solution to this problem is to use the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) as a switching language. (Author/DH)

A proposal for a computer-aided method of building up an indexing language is made. The method involves linking terms relevant to any special retrieval system into the UDC, via a video terminal, producing a hybrid thesaurus-classification. (5 references)

The FID Central Classification Committee is responsible for UDC and its revision. The Standard Reference Code (SRC) has been developed to meet the FID need for a new superstructure of UDC and the UNISIST need for a Broad System of Ordering. UDC and SRC will have a strong influence on each other. (Author/JB)

THIS PAPER IS A CASE STUDY OF THE ADOPTION BY GEOSCIENCE ABSTRACTS OF UNIDEK, A COMPUTER-COMPILED SYSTEMATIC SUBJECT INDEX BASED ON THE UNIVERSAL DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION (UDC). EVENTS LEADING TO A DECISION TO ADOPT THE SYSTEM, SOME THEORY OF INDEXES, PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN CONVERSION, AND SOME OF THE RESULTS ACHIEVED ARE REVIEWED. UNIDEK MAKES POSSIBLE THE MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF COMPLETE UDC NUMBERS AND PROVIDES AN INDEX BY UDC NUMBERS, UDC HEADINGS, ARTICLE TITLES, AND ABSTRACT NUMBERS OF ARTICLES CITED. THE GREATEST WEAKNESS IN COMPUTER-AIDED INDEXING BY UNIDEK WAS FOUND TO BE THE LACK OF A COMPLETE MECHANICALLY SEARCHABLE FILE OF ALL UDC NUMBERS. MORE USE OF UDC SHOULD PROVIDE BETTER UDC SCHEDULES AND THEREFORE BETTER INDEXES. APPENDED IS AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOW A UNIDEK INDEX IS PREPARED AND USED, THE UNIDEK SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM, AND SAMPLE PAGES FROM A UNIDEK INDEX. AN EARLIER VERSION OF THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED TO THE 1965 FID CONGRESS (31ST, WASHINGTON, D.C., OCTOBER 7-16, 1965). THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE AS PB 175 926 FROM THE CLEARINGHOUSE FOR FEDERAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION, SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA 22151, $3.00 FOR HARD COPY, $0.65 FOR MICROFICHE, 31 PAGES. (AUTHOR/JB).

STARTING FROM A MODEL OF CONTEMPORARY MECHANIZED RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF INDEXING LANGUAGES USED THEREIN, THE AUTHORS DEVELOP A RATIONAL BASIS FOR USE OF THE UNIVERSAL DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION (UDC) IN THIS CONTEXT. PRACTICAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE USE OF UDC IN A MECHANIZED RETRIEVAL SYSTEM ARE DISCUSSED. EXAMPLES ARE REPORTED OF THE USE OF UDC AS THE INDEXING LANGUAGE WITH THE COMBINED FILE SEARCH SYSTEM, AN EXISTING RETRIEVAL SYSTEM FOR THE IBM 1401, USED BY SEVERAL LARGE INFORMATION CENTERS IN THE UNITED STATES. FINALLY, THE AUTHORS DISCUSS HOW UDC MIGHT BE USED AS A QUERY LANGUAGE IN A TYPICAL RETRIEVAL SYSTEM OF THE NEAR FUTURE IN WHICH THE USER INTERACTS DIRECTLY WITH THE COMPUTER-STORED DOCUMENT REFERENCE FILE. THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE THAT IT IS TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE TO USE UDC IN MECHANIZED RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS AND THAT, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT MAY BE DESIRABLE. SOME OF THESE CONDITIONS ARE THE EXISTENCE OF LARGE FILES ALREADY INDEXED BY UDC, STAFF ALREADY TRAINED FOR ITS USE, AND EXTENSIVE INTERNATIONAL USE OR EXCHANGE OF MATERIALS OF THE SYSTEM. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE FIC/IFIP CONFERENCE ON MECHANIZED INFORMATION STORAGE, RETRIEVAL, AND DISSEMINATION (ROME, JUNE 15, 1967). THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE AS PB-176-152 FROM THE CLEARINGHOUSE FOR FEDERAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION, SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA 22151, $3.00 FOR HARD COPY, $0.65 FOR MICROFICHE, 37 PAGES. (AUTHOR)