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Information and Communication Technology Applications

With this in mind, traditional libraries usually employ LCSHs as a controlled vocabulary that is
Notes capable of providing meaningful descriptors for the subjects of their underlying collections. Despite
the debate concerning the ‘cost-benefit analysis’ of creating LCSHs for subject-based indexing of
information resources, as stated in Schwartz , ‘the application of LCSHs by catalogers has not changed
substantially and even some newly-created digital libraries use LCSHs’.
By taking a closer look at LCSHs, a number of significant advantages can be seen that potentially
could explain the wide dissemination of LCSHs within OPACs and digital libraries. Thus, as stated
in Dean , LCSHs constitute an extensively employed (thus promoting interoperability between library
and/or digital library systems), rich vocabulary that covers all subject areas and enjoys strong
institutional support from the Library of Congress. Moreover, LCSHs impose synonym and
homograph control, as well as have a long and well-documented history.
The semantic quality of LCSHs can be further witnessed when taking into consideration the theory
that underpins their application to information resources. Thus, as stated in Bates , proper
employment of LCSHs dictates that they are not meant to be single-concept terms.
On the contrary, the resulting subject heading string (being comprised of the main heading plus its
subdivisions) is meant to describe all by itself the whole information resource. Consequently, the
expressivity of the resulting subject heading string is generally quite broad, often much broader
than individual concept index terms. Instead of a few tenths of keywords per information resource
used with concept indexing languages, just one or two subject headings are typically applied to an
information resource. The types of subdivisions allowed are strictly controlled, as is their order of
appearance in the subject heading.

Search Engines
A web search engine is designed to search for information on the World Wide Web and FTP servers.
The search results are generally presented in a list of results often referred to as SERPS, or “search
engine results pages”. The information may consist of web pages, images, information and other
types of files. Some search engines also mine data available in databases or open directories.
Unlike web directories, which are maintained only by human editors, search engines also
maintain real-time information by running an algorithm on a web crawler.

12.2 Search Engines and Libraries

Internet Search Engines are a quick and simple way to access information on the World Wide Web.
Traditional information providers, such as libraries, have been impacted by the ease with which
the public can access information using online search. Search engines provide opportunities
for libraries to supplement traditional services, and may also facilitate the development of new
services. However, search engines may threaten certain traditional library services, such as reference
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enquiries, as the use of the internet as an information source becomes increasingly commonplace.
Beneficial Impacts

Supplementing Traditional Library Services
The use of search engines has allowed libraries to augment their traditional core services. Many
libraries have developed an effective ‘virtual’ presence through their websites. This ‘virtual’ library
is available all over the world to anyone who has access to the internet, and presence in a list of
search engine results can provide useful publicity for libraries. As part of wider efforts by libraries
to embrace new technology, Library Review editor David McMenemy has stated that a library’s
“Internet identity is vital”.

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