A dynamic look toward classification and retrieval

Abstract

In this article the relationship between classification/indexing and retrieval is discussed. In library and information science, classification and retrieval have always been closely associated with each other. But in certain ages, because of a lack of interest in applying knowledge, it was thought that libraries were just a place for gathering and keeping books and other documents as assets. And therefore, people thought that classification was simply for arrangement, in order to have a kind of system for objects that they considered to be luxuries. The reason for this lies in their static view of things, including libraries. Changing attitudes and having a dynamic view of the world of reality will change everything. Thus, if we define that the library is not only a place for book collection but is a place where people fill their information needs, and also that librarianship is not mainly about classification, but is a discipline by which we retrieve information and receive knowledge, we may see a great change in the retrieval process. © 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.