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Transcript of Indexing with the AIRS/211 LA County Taxonomy Indexing with the AIRS/211 LA County Taxonomy A...
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Indexing with theAIRS/211 LA County Taxonomy
A Workshop for the2009 AIRS Conference
in RenoDick Manikowski,Editor, AIRS [email protected]
Last revised 5/27/09 3:36p
Workshop Objectivesn To review the Taxonomy’s structure and design;
n To introduce basic principles and practices in indexing;
n To help participants recognize some of the decisions that have to be made when using the Taxonomy;
n To discuss Taxonomy maintenance and customization procedures;
n To have �fun � while we’re learning. (But we won’t spill the beans to your colleagues who couldn’t come. What happens in Reno . . . )
Note—This is a two-part workshop. Anyone who can’t attend the second half won’t get the real substance of it. Anyone who skips the first half will likely be lost during the second half.
The content is heavily based on the model devised by Margaret Bruni for workshops offered at previous Conferences and has hugely benefited from suggestions from Georgia Sales and many others.
Why Do We Index Databases & Directories?
n So we can sift through the contents efficiently
n Goal should be for the index to allow the user to find
– All relevant resources
– Only relevant resources
– As easily as possible
n Indexes exist for the convenience of the user and not that of the indexer
– There’s an inverse relationship between ease of use of a database or directory and ease of indexing. To create an index that the user can navigate easily and effectively, the indexer has to work hard and smart.
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What Is a Taxonomy?
tak-SON-â-mē2: The systematic distinguishing, ordering and naming of type groups within a subject field: CLASSIFICATION(Webster’s Third New International Dictionary)
Taxonomies include:• telephone Yellow Pages headings• the system of binomial nomenclature used to assign names to plant and animal species (homo sapiens)
• Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress systems for classifying library materials
• I&R directory indexes
Watch Your Terminology!n The taxonomy we use is the AIRS/LA 211 Taxonomy
n That taxonomy is composed of terms that users search under to locate needed services
n Don’t embarrass yourself by saying “I’m looking for a taxonomy for a program that . . . .” You’re looking for a term, not a taxonomy.
If you make that faux pas in this workshop or in the future, I will make sure you regret it.
The AIRS/211 LA County Taxonomy
n Is specifically designed for indexing community resource files
n Has been endorsed by both AIRS and United Way of America
n Has been developed in consultation with experts in a broad range of fields
n Uses language from relevant fields
n Includes carefully crafted definitions
n Is integrated into most I&R software packages
n Continues to evolve to meet the needs of indexers
n Is not only the de facto standard for indexing I&R files, but . . .
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n It has been mandated by the AIRS Standards for Professional Information& Referral and Quality Indicators(Version 6.0; January 2009)
Standard 9: Classification System/TaxonomyThe I&R service shall use the AIRS/211 LA County Taxonomy of Human Services (formally titled A Taxonomy of Human Services: A Conceptual Framework with Standardized Terminology and Definitions for the Field) to index and facilitate retrieval of resource information, increase the reliability of planning data, make evaluation processes consistent and reliable, and facilitate national comparisons of data. Additional classification structures such as keywords may supplement the Taxonomy, but must must be connected to the Taxonomy rather than functioning as independent indexing systems.
The AIRS/211 LA County Taxonomy
n Finally, by using a standardized classification system, I&Rs are better able to share resource records. (It’s not quite that simple. Some ramifications that shared records present for database managers will be briefly discussed later in this presentation.)
The AIRS/211 LA County Taxonomy
Taxonomy Web Sitewww.211taxonomy.org
After many years of planning, the taxonomy Web site was unveiled on 2/11/05.
Subscribers have password-protected access to a frequently updated copy of the master Taxonomy, with the ability to download updates in a variety of formats and sorts.
(Visitors without passwords are permitted to access some of the features of the site in order to get a taste of how the site works.)
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Taxonomy Web SiteAuthorized users search for terms
Taxonomy Web SiteAuthorized users can view recent changes
Taxonomy Web SiteAuthorized users can download the Taxonomy as a data file
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Important—The Taxonomy subscription permits your agency to download the taxonomy files (which have only been available in XML format since 6/30/07). But in order to implement the changes, your software publisher must develop a mechanism for incorporating the updates into your database. Neither AIRS nor 211-LA County can do this for your software.
Taxonomy SubscriptionRates (2009)
$600Non-Members(for profit)
$200Non-Members (non-profitor governmental)
$450AIRS Members (for profit)
$150AIRS Members (non-profit or governmental)
Annual RateSubscriber Category
Why should my agency have to pay a subscription fee for the
Taxonomy on top of our AIRS membership dues? We have a
tight budget!
• 211 LA County has a tight budget, too, but they subsidized Georgia Sales’ development of the Taxonomy for over 20 years. They deserve to be compensated for that support
• The Taxonomy is copyrighted. Unauthorized use is a violation of federal law.
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Taxonomy Hierarchy
n Divides all of human and social services into ten Major Service Categories (with a separate eleventh Target Group Section), each branching into up to six increasingly narrowly focused Levels of Classification
Taxonomy Term Code
n Each term has a unique identification number (Taxonomy Code) which reflects its placement in the hierarchy. (Note: The codes exist to help computers and indexers understand the relationship between terms. I know of no package requiring users to input codes while indexing or searching, and one does not have to memorize codes.)
Hierarchical RelationshipsBetween Terms
ND-1600.1800Exemplary Rehabilitation
Certification
ND-1600.2000Fidelity Bonding
Services
ND-1600.9500-300Home Work Permits
ND-1600.9500-950.15Unassigned Term
ND-1600.9500-950-25Unassigned Term
ND-1600.9500-950Youth Work Permits
ND-1600.9500Work Permits
ND-1600Employee Certification
ND-2000Employment Preparation
NDEmployment
NLPublic Assistance
Programs
NSSocial Insurance
Programs
NIncome Support & EmploymentLevel 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
There are 6 levels to the Taxonomy, but most concepts aren’t developed past the 3rd, 4th, or 5th level.
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Taxonomy Branch(Path Leading to a Specific Termfrom the Level I Term Above It)
ND-1600.9500-950.25Unassigned
ND-1600.9500-950Youth Work Permits
ND-1600.9500Work Permits
ND-1600Employee Certification
NDEmployment
NIncome Support & EmploymentLevel 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Terms and Cross Referencesn Each actual Taxonomy Term (technically called a
Preferred Term) has a code, uses language from its field, and has a precise and concise definition
n See Also References are provided to other related terms to help both indexers and end-users
n Use References point to actual (preferred) terms fromnon-preferred terms under which users might search for a concept
Taxonomy Locale
n While the Taxonomy was originally developed for use in the United States, partners have helped develop two Canadian versions of it (in English and in French).
n The Canadian versions reflect that country’s governmental and judicial structures as well as differences in terminology and spelling (First Peoplesrather than Native Americans) and spelling (favourite colour rather than favorite color)
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Six Types of Preferred Terms
1. Service Terms describe specific services (acts of help for assistance)
– Low Cost Meals– Long-Term Care Insurance
The vast majority of terms in Taxonomy branches B (Basic Needs) throughT (Organizational/Community/International Services) are service terms.
Six Types of Preferred Terms
2. Organization/Facility Type Termsdescribe what entities are, which often implies what they do
– Hospitals– Senior Centers– Voluntary Health Organizations
Organization/Facility Type terms are scattered throughout Taxonomy branches B through T. These terms can provide valid indexing shortcuts.
Six Types of Preferred Terms
2. Organization/Facility Type Terms (cont.) are also listed in the Related Concepts section of the Web site
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Six Types of Preferred Terms
2. Organization/Facility Type Terms (cont.)
One particularly useful organizational/facility type term is
Administrative EntitiesTF-0500Management offices that serve as headquarters for organizations and which provide services that plan, organize and control the activities of the organization but which offer no direct services to the public except peripheral administrative services like training, community awareness programs or materials and research. Included are the administrative offices of local city and county departments, state agencies and federal agencies as well as those that oversee the work of large non-governmental agencies.
Six Types of Preferred Terms
3. Named Program Terms describe major programs with commonly known names
– WIC– Medicare– Medicaid
Because human service workers have a good idea of what these programs encompass, there’s often no need to index the specific services which come under their umbrella.
Six Types of Preferred Terms
3. Named Program Terms (cont.) are listed in the Related Concepts section of the Web site
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Six Types of Preferred Terms
4. Target Terms* describe groups at whom services and programs are targeted and can be used to more narrowly focus indexing. Social Clubs/Events (a true service term) could be focused more narrowly by combining it with target terms like:
– Social Clubs/Events * Alcoholics– Social Clubs/Events * Pregnant Teens
*Only applicable if your I&R software package supports the ability to combine Taxonomy terms.
Six Types of Preferred Terms
4. Target Terms (cont.)
Don’t confuse the concepts of eligibility and targeting. A program may be targeted at a particular group but have eligibility criteria which are much broader.
Example: A particular soup kitchen may be specifically targeted at the homeless population but have no eligibility restrictions.
Six Types of Preferred Terms
4. Target Terms (cont.)
If you try to reflect eligibility criteria in your indexing, you’ll make your database unsearchable and drive yourself nuts attaching target terms to service terms.
Soup Kitchens * Males
Soup Kitchens * Females
Soup Kitchens * Adults
Soup Kitchens * Young Adults
Soup Kitchens * Older Adults
Soup Kitchens * Albanians
Soup Kitchens * Asthma
Soup Kitchens * Ad Infinitum
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Six Types of Preferred Terms
4. Target Terms (cont.)
The Y branch of the Taxonomy encompasses target terms.
Six Types of Preferred Terms4. Target Terms (cont.)
And the YZ branch of it covers Topical
Identifiers/Issues which are useful for focusing indexing terms in the Public
Awareness/Education branch.
Six Types of Preferred Terms
4. Target Terms (cont.)
For a really thoughtful discussion of the issues involved in using target terms, see the article Indexing Using Target Population
Terms in the AIRS/INFO LINE Taxonomy by Diane Gatto (Barrett) and Cathleen Kelly. Originally published in 2004 in v. 26 of the AIRS Journal, it’s available online in the Library section of the Taxonomy Web site.
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Six Types of Preferred Terms5. Modality/Delivery Format Terms
describe how services are delivered. Taxonomy term Discrimination Assistance (a true service term) could be narrowed by combining it with modality terms:
– Discrimination Assistance * Legal Representationor
– Discrimination Assistance * Advocacy
Not all I&R software packages support the ability to combine Taxonomy terms.
Six Types of Preferred Terms
5. Modality/Delivery Format Terms (cont.) are listed in the Related Concepts section of the Web site
Six Types of Preferred Terms
5. Modality/Delivery Format Terms (cont.)
Modality/Delivery Format Terms are meant to be used to modify service terms and should never be used alone.
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Six Types of Preferred Terms
6. Orientation/Philosophy terms describe services which are provided in a manner which accommodates a particular philosophy. There are only a handful of this type of term. Three are in the Target Populations section:
– Feminist Organizational Perspective(YQ-2000)
– Partisan Political Organizational Perspective (YQ-6500)
– Religious Organizational Perspective(YQ-7000)
Six Types of Preferred Terms
6. Orientation/Philosophy terms (cont.)Additionally, true service term Pregnancy Counseling (LJ-2000.6500) is subdivided into two Orientation/Philosophy service terms:
• Pro-Choice Counseling(LJ-2000.6500-650)
• Pro-Life Counseling(LJ-2000.6500-700)
Six Types of Preferred Terms
6. Orientation/Philosophy terms (cont.)
Orientation/Philosophy Terms which are target terms are meant to be used to modify service terms and should never be used alone. But the terms that are also service terms can be used alone
Not all I&R software packages support the ability to combine Taxonomy terms.
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Summary: Six Typesof Preferred Terms
Type of Term
Can Be Used Alone
Should Never Be Used Alone
Service Term � Organization/Facility Type Term
�
Named Program Term � Target Term � Modality/Delivery Format Term
�
Orientation/Philosophy Term
� (if it’s also a service term—Pro-Choice or Pro-Life Pregnancy Counseling)
� (if it’s also a target term—Partisan Political or Feminist or Religious Organizational Perspective)
Five Types of Services(not Terms)
1. Primary Services are entry point services which an individual who meets the eligibility criteria can receive without already being affiliated with an agency.
– Always index primary services(unless they don’t fall within your agency’s inclusion/ exclusion criteria)
Five Types of Services(not Terms)
2. Secondary Services are services which an individual can’t receive unless she’s already receiving a primary service from an agency
– Don’t index secondary services (though it’s useful to mention them in text)
– If a job training program offers bus passes to program participants, don’t use the indexing term Local Transit Passes. Only index the primary service (Job Training).
Why not?
Because you won’t be referring callers to the agency for bus passes!
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Five Types of Services(not Terms)
3. Indirect Services are services which an agency doesn’t directly provide but for which it makes referrals to other agencies
– Don’t index indirect services . . . or at least index them under the proper term
– If an agency claims to operate a food pantry but is found to actually refer individuals to neighboring pantries, don’t index it as Food Pantries. If you’re going to index the activity at all, call it what it is: Information and Referral or Specialized Information and Referral.
Five Types of Services(not Terms)
4. Ancillary Services are services which an agency provides but which aren’t worth the effort to index
– Don’t index ancillary services– Every agency is happy to promote itself.
So you don’t need to index with the Speakers/Speakers Bureaus term to advise the call specialist that a caller looking for someone to speak about the local Job Corps center should be referred to the local Job Corp center. She already knows that!
Five Types of Services(not Terms)
5. Phantom Services are services which an agency claims to offer but is rarely able to actually provide.
– Don’t index phantom services– If a local charity claims to provide
persons in emergency situations with used cars when they can but has only been able to do so once in the past three years, who would be served by using the indexing term Automobiles? Neither the charity nor the caller.
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Summary: Five Types of Services (not Terms)
Type of Service Should Be Cited in Text?
Should Be Indexed?
Primary Service Yes Yes Secondary Service Selectively No Indirect Service Selectively Selectively . . . but
use the right term! Ancillary Service Selectively No Phantom Service No No
Four FundamentalPrinciples of Indexing
1. Ease of Searching
– The end-user should only have to search under one term to locate all resources in the database which provide a particular service
– Reliance on keywords or a shotgun approach to indexing actually complicates the search
Note—This isn’t one of the Three Fundamental Principles of Indexing formulated by Margaret Bruni. I’ve added it because I think it provides the philosophical underpinning for the other three principles.
Four FundamentalPrinciples of Indexing
2. Accuracy in Indexing– Choose the most specific term available*
which fully describes what is being indexed*Availability of terms will be discussed later
– If needed, use multiple terms to describe what is being indexed
Organization provides small supply of groceries and used clothing to families in emergency situations.• Index as Food Pantries• Index as Clothing
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Four FundamentalPrinciples of Indexing
3. Avoid Redundant Indexing (Double Indexing)
– Redundant indexing is using two terms from the same Taxonomy branch anywhere in your database, such as terms* Employment (ND)
and* Job Finding Assistance (ND-3500)
Four FundamentalPrinciples of Indexing
More on Avoiding Redundant Indexing:When you have a legitimate need to index a service group at what seem to be multiple levels, look for a generalized form of the lower level term– Example—Rather than indexing a program
under the terms Dental Care (LV-1600) andOrthodontics (LV-1600.6350), use Level 4 terms General Dentistry (LV-1600.2400)and Orthodontics (LV-1600.6350)
– Unfortunately, situations will arise when double indexing can’t be avoided . . . but do your best to minimize double-indexing in your database.
Notify Georgia if you think a new generalized lower level term is needed.
Four FundamentalPrinciples of Indexing
4. Consistency in Indexing (cont.)
– Once a term has been used to index one record, it should also be used for all other records to which it applies.
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Four FundamentalPrinciples of Indexing
4.Consistency in Indexing (cont.)
If you index Agency A as providing Job Fairs (ND-3500.3500-360), you can’t index Agency B as providing Job Information (ND-3500.3500). By using the Level 5 term Job Fairs, you’ve tacitly agreed not to use any other terms in that branch of the Taxonomy anywhere in your database.Any programs that offer any service within the ND-3500.3500 branch will have to be indexed at a Level 5 term.
Consistent Indexingwithin a Branch
BR-3000.5000Mortgage Payment
Assistance
BR-3000.7000Rent Payment
Assistance
BR-3000.7250Rental Deposit
Assistance
BR-3000 **Housing Expense
Payment Assistance
BR-8900.9100-180 **Electric Bill Payment
Assisistance
BR-8900.9100-250 **Gas Bill Payment
Assistance
BR-8900.9100-850 **Telephone Bill
Payment Assistance
BR-8900.9100-950 **Water Bill Payment
Assistance
BR-8900.9100Utility Bill Payment
Assistance
BR-8900Utility
Assistance
BRTemporary
Financial Aid
BBasicNeeds
** = Term authorized for use in indexing
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2
3
4
5
Tracking Status of Terms in Your Implementation of the Taxonomy
B Basic Needs BR Temporary Financial Aid
BR-8900 Utility Bill Payment Assistance
BR-8900.9100 Utility Bill Payment
Assistance
*BR-8900.9100-150 Electric Bill Payment
Assistance
*BR-8900.9100-250 Gas Bill Payment
Assistance
*BR-8900.9100-950 Water Bill Payment
Assistance
BR-8900.9200 Utility Bill Disconnection
Notification
* = Term has been used
Text = Term available for indexing
Text = Term unavailable for indexing Why?
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B Basic Needs
BR Temporary Financial Aid
BR-8900 Utility Bill Assistance
BR-8900.9100 Utility Bill Payment
Assistance
*BR-8900.9100-150 Electric Bill Payment
Assistance
*BR-8900.9100-250 Gas Bill Payment
Assistance
*BR-8900.9100-950 Water Bill Payment
Assistance BR-8900.9200 Utility Disconnection
Notification
This approach would work if you opted to index utility bill payment at the 5th level of the taxonomy. Just because you’re using a 4th level term for Utility Bill Disconnection Notification, you’re not obligated to index everything at the 4th level. All that matters is that you never use a term that’s directly above or below another term used to index your database.
Your I&R software may provide options for deactivating terms (making them invisible to all users) or authorizing them (letting your indexers know that they’ve been approved for use).
Relax! Properly Using the Taxonomy Doesn’t Entail the Massive Workload It Initially Appears To
n By not indexing secondary services, ancillary services, indirect services, or phantom services, you’re greatly reducing the number of services you need to index.
n You’re not choosing from the entire pool of Taxonomy terms (which would be pretty intimidating)
n Both of these save you time and effort without compromising your resource database. (In fact, they’ll make your data more accessible to the searcher.)
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With Each Indexing Decision You Make, You Reduce Your Pool of Available Terms to a More Manageable Size
Terms in the TIP Database as of 4/14/08
"Real" Terms
(Branches B - T)
Target Terms
(Branch Y)
Total Taxonomy Terms 6,710 2,207
Terms Used for
Indexing1,317 88
Percentage of Total
Taxonomy Terms19.6274% 3.9873%
B Basic Needs
BD Food
BD-150 Communal Food
BD-180 Emergency Food
BD-180.100 Brown Bag Programs
BD-180.200 Food Pantries
BD-180.200-20 Food Lines
BD-180.200-62 Occasional Emergency Food
BD-180.200-64 Ongoing Emergency Food
BD-180.225 Food Vouchers
BD-180.250 Government Surplus Food
BD-180.800 Sack Lunches/Dinners
BD-180.820 Specialty Food Providers
BD-180.820-18 Drinking Water
BD-180.820-20 Food Supplements
BD-180.820-25 Formula/Baby Food
BD-200 Food Banks
BD-220 Food Gleaning Programs
BD-240 Food Outlets
BD-240.200 Farm Trails
BD-240.225 Farmers Markets
BD-240.250 Food Co-ops
BD-240.500 Mini Markets
BD-240.900 U-Pick Programs
BD-260 Food Production
BD-260.050 Agricultural Assistance
BD-260.050-33 Irrigation Assistance
BD-260.050-35 Home Gardening
Assistance
BD-260.150 Community Gardening
BD-260.450 Livestock Breeding/
Management
BD-260.700 Rent-A-Tree
BD-500 Meals
BD-500.145 Child Care Food Programs
BD-500.150 Congregate Meals
BD-500.350 Home Delivered Meals
BD-500.450 Low-Cost Meals
BD-500.500 Meal Vouchers
BD-500.510 Milk Programs
BD-500.520 Mobile Canteens
BD-500.800 School Breakfasts
BD-500.820 School Lunches
BD-500.830 Soup Kitchens
BD-500.850 Summer Food Service
Programs
Taxonomy’s Full Food (BD) Section
This and the following are old slides using the code format which has since been superseded.
Customized For a Comprehensive I&R:
BD-180.200 Food Pantries
BD-180.225 Food Vouchers
BD-180.250 Government
Surplus Food
BD-200 Food Banks
BD-260.050 Agricultural
Assistance
BD-260.150 Congregate
Meals
BD-260.350 Home Delivered
Meals
BD-260.830 Soup Kitchens
Customized Food Sections
Customized For a Senior I&R:
BD-180.100 Brown Bag
Programs
BD-180.820.20 Food Supplements
BD-240.500 Mini Markets
BD-500.150 Congregate Meals
BD-500.350 Home Delivered
Meals
BD-500.450 Low-Cost Meals
Customized For a Disability I&R:
BD-180.820-20 Food
Supplements
BD-500.350 Home Delivered
Meals
No agency would (or should) use all of the Food terms to index its file. Instead, each agency would choose a particular subset of terms to meet its needs.
This and the preceding are old slides using the code format which has since been superseded.
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n Feature was implemented during Winter 2007/2008
n Check 2007 AIRS Journal for more details on how it works
Filters Feature Enables Subscribers to Maintain or
Even Share Customized Versions of the Taxonomy
Factors to Consider inDetermining the Level at
Which to Index a Subject Arean What are your agency’s scope and priorities?n How many resources will be listed as providing
the services within that subject area?n How specific are the service requests you receive
in that subject area?n What is the skill level of staff? How much time
can they devote to maintenance? How much turnover does the staff have?
n How volatile is the information you are indexing?
Remember—Depth of indexing can vary between individual subject areas within a database. What ultimately matters is absolute consistency within any single branch.
Ramifications forSharing Records
While the ability to electronically share records among I&R agencies is awesome, doing so can produce an unworkable mess unless all parties are consistent in terms of:
Indexing practices—If you import records which have indexed secondary services into your database, your clean database will no longer be clean.
Indexing terms—If you’ve been using Level 4 term Food Pantries and the records you import use Level 3 term Emergency Food, searching will get muddied.
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Ramifications forSharing Records (cont.)
Post-merging database cleanup is tedious and exacting work . . .
. . . and it will need to be done every time you merge records from different databases.Unless . . .
Ramifications forSharing Records (cont.)
. . . the records are totally consistent. All contributors of shared records need to make a commitment to:
1. Work with other contributors to establish conventions for indexing practices.
2. Work with other contributors to establish conventions for specific terms to be used for every relevant Taxonomy branch.
3. Abide by the agreed upon conventions for indexing practices and indexing terms.
Getting Help with Questions About Indexing with the Taxonomy
n The best option is to join the AIRS Taxonomy listserv (send a blank e-mail message [email protected]) and post your questions there. Better yet, visit www.yahoogroups.com to join the group. That way, you’ll be able to search the message archives and download files which have been uploaded to the group.
n To suggest new indexing terms, write to Georgia Sales ([email protected]). Please don’t monopolize too much of her time, though.
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AIRS Taxonomy ListservFront Page
AIRS Taxonomy Listserv Posting
Comprehensive Taxonomy Overview
Revised versions are periodically published in the AIRS Journal. The most recent version is available in the Library subsection of the Resources section of the Taxonomy Web site.
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Keeping the TaxonomyUp-to-Date in Your Database
n Consult Georgia Sales’ article from v. 20 (1998) of The AIRS Journal (also available on the Taxonomy Web site)
Specific Indexing Steps
1. Identify the primary service concept(s)
2. Is there a facility type term for it?
3. If not, identify the most appropriate term to characterize that service concept.
4. Read the definition to verify that the term is right.
5. Review the hierarchy to confirm the level selected.Have you used that term before? Did you index the concept at a higher or lower level? Remember: You’ve got to be consistent!
Specific Indexing Steps (cont.)
6. Look at the See Also references listed for the term. Should any of them also be used to index the agency service?
7. Is a modality term* or an orientation/ philosophy term* needed to clarify the manner in which the service is delivered?
8. Would a target group* be useful to identify the group at which the service is aimed and expedite searches?
*Only applicable if your I&R database software permits you to link terms.
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Converting Your Databaseto the Taxonomy
1. Convert one subject area at a time.2. Locate the section(s) of the Taxonomy
that cover(s) the types of resources to be re-indexed.
3. Determine which terms in the Taxonomycan be eliminated for use in your database. Consider:
• What type of resources are available in the community?
• What are your inclusion/exclusion criteria for your database?
• What types of resources does your database currently contain?
Converting Your Databaseto the Taxonomy (cont.)
4. Determine the level of detail which is appropriate for the remaining Taxonomyterms.
• How specific are the service requests you receive from your clients?
• What is the skill level of your staff?• How specifically can your staff afford to
index?• How volatile is the information your file
contains?• What are your priorities?
5. Look for legitimate shortcuts.
Converting Your Databaseto the Taxonomy (cont.)
6. Keep track of available, unavailable, and used terms.
7. Make sure you’re not spinning your wheels by indexing:* secondary services* indirect services* ancillary services* phantom services
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Practice ExercisesDuring our remaining time, let’s try to put the concepts and principles we’ve discussed today to work by indexing some resources.
Refer to the slides on Specific Indexing Stepsas needed.
We’ll look for relevant Taxonomy terms via the www.211taxonomy.org Web site.
If we can’t finish going through all the exercises together, please complete them on your own or working with another participant after you return to work. The sooner you reinforce this training, the more valuable it will be to you.
CHRISTIAN GUIDANCE CENTER3684 Trumbull Ave., Detroit, MI 48208313/832-1470
Purpose: (1979) A residential program designed to re-integrate recovering substance abusers into the community. Program is aimed at ex-offenders, but not limited to this group.
Services: 1) Individual counseling 2) Group therapy 3) Adult basic education classes 4) GED classes 5) Recreational activities.
Eligibility: Men age 18 and over. Serves the tri-county area.
What is/are the primary service(s)?
Indexing Exercise #1
CHRISTIAN GUIDANCE CENTER3684 Trumbull Ave., Detroit, MI 48208313/832-1470
Purpose: (1979) A residential program designed to re-integrate recovering substance abusers into the community. Program is aimed at ex-offenders, but not limited to this group.
Services: 1) Individual counseling 2) Group therapy 3) Adult basic education classes 4) GED classes 5) Recreational activities.
Eligibility: Men age 18 and over. Serves the tri-county area.
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Christian Guidance Centern LX Substance Abuse Services
n LX-8450 Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
n LX-8450-0500 Antabuse Programs
n LX-8450-1150 Comprehensive Outpatient SubstanceAbuse Treatment
n LX-8450.3300 Comprehensive Inpatient Substance
n Abuse Treatment
n LX-8450.8100 Substance Abuse Day Treatment
n LX-8470 Supportive Substance Abuse Services
n LX-8500 Transitional Residential Substance Abuse Services
n LX-8500.6500 Primary Recovery Homes
n LX-8500.8000 Sober Living Centers
n LX-8500.8500 Supportive Recovery Homes
CHRISTIAN GUIDANCE CENTER3684 Trumbull Ave., Detroit, MI 48208313/832-1470
Purpose: (1979) A residential program designed to re-integrate recovering substance abusers into the community. Program is aimed at ex-offenders, but not limited to this group.
Services: 1) Individual counseling 2) Group therapy 3) Adult basic education classes 4) GED classes 5) Recreational activities.
Eligibility: Men age 18 and over. Serves the tri-county area.
All of these services are secondary services and should not be indexed!
CHRISTIAN GUIDANCE CENTER3684 Trumbull Ave., Detroit, MI 48208313/832-1470
Purpose: (1979) A residential program designed to re-integrate recovering substance abusers into the community. Program is aimed at ex-offenders, but not limited to this group.
Services: 1) Individual counseling 2) Group therapy 3) Adult basic education classes 4) GED classes 5) Recreational activities.
Eligibility: Men age 18 and over. Serves the tri-county area.
Are there any appropriate target(s)? Check theY section outline.
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CHRISTIAN GUIDANCE CENTER3684 Trumbull Ave., Detroit, MI 48208313/832-1470
Purpose: (1979) A residential program designed to re-integrate recovering substance abusers into the community. Program is aimed at ex-offenders, but not limited to this group.
Services: 1) Individual counseling 2) Group therapy 3) Adult basic education classes 4) GED classes 5) Recreational activities.
Eligibility: Men age 18 and over. Serves the tri-county area.
Target PopulationYJ Families and Individuals Needing
Support
YJ-0500 At-Risk Populations
YJ-0500.0100 At-Risk Adults
YJ-0500.0300 At-Risk Families
YJ-0500.0500 At-Risk Youth
YJ-0900 Bereaved Individuals
YJ-1400 Children of Aging Parents
YJ-1500 Children of Divorced Parents
YJ-1550 Co-Dependents
YJ-1600 Community Newcomers
YJ-2000 Divorced Persons
YJ-2030 Ex-Offenders
YJ-2050 Families of Military Personnel
Detroit Public Library5201 Woodward AvenueDetroit, MI 48202313/833-1000
Purpose: (1865) Public library providing a broad range of information access and other services to the community.
Services: 1) TIP Service--Refers individuals to community services and programs 2) Career and Employment Information Center--Provides vocational testing and guidance 3) Burton Historical Collection--Nationally known archive of local history and genealogical materials 4) Lends videotapes, DVDs, audiotapes, and CDs 5) A broad range of children’s and adult programming.
Eligibility: Main Library serves all Michigan residents. Branches serve people who live, work, own property, or attend school in Detroit.
Indexing Exercise #2
What is/are the primary service(s)?
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Detroit Public Library5201 Woodward AvenueDetroit, MI 48202313/833-1000
Purpose: (1865) Public library providing a broad range of information access and other services to the community.
Services: 1) TIP Service--Refers individuals to community services and programs 2) Career and Employment Information Center--Provides vocational testing and guidance, job search assistance, and resume preparation assistance 3) Burton Historical Collection--Nationally known archive of local history and genealogical materials 4) Lends videotapes, DVDs, audiotapes, and CDs 5) A broad range of children’s and adult programming.
Eligibility: Main Library serves all Michigan residents. Branches serve people who live, work, own property, or attend school in Detroit.
Can a Facility-Type term be used?
Detroit Public LibraryTerm(s):
� Public Library (TJ-4400.6500)
� Information and Referral (TJ-3000)orComprehensive Information and Referral (TJ-3000.1500)
� Archives (TJ-4500.8300-030)
� Genealogical Collections (TJ-4500.8300-230)
� Job Search/Placement (ND-3500.3600)
� Vocational Assessment (ND-2000.1500-900)
� Resume Preparation Assistance (ND-2000.6500-700)
Target(s):
� None needed
There’s no need to index CD/DVD/videotape loan or adult and children’s programming services since those are implicit services of almost all public libraries these days.
United Way Community Services1212 Griswold Ave.Detroit, MI 48226313/226-9482
Purpose: (1941) Organization dedicated to uniting the community to mobilize volunteer, financial, and information resources to efficiently meet the human service needs of Detroit and southeastern Michigan.
Services: 1) Operates Torch Drive, an annual public fundraising campaign to fund non-profit organizations to provide needed human and social services 2) Tel-Help--Refers callers to needed human and social services 3) Tribute Fund--Provides financial assistance to individuals in emergency situations. Program does not pay forutilities, taxes, or past due bills. 4) Speakers available to discuss the organization and its activities.
Eligibility: Residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties
Indexing Exercise #3
What is/are the primary service(s)?
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United Way Community Services1212 Griswold Ave.Detroit, MI 48226313/22609482
Purpose: (1941) Organization dedicated to uniting the community to mobilize volunteer, financial, and information resources to efficiently meet the human service needs of Detroit and southeastern Michigan.
Services: 1) Operates Torch Drive, an annual public fundraising campaign to fund non-profit organizations to provide needed human and social services 2) Tel-Help-- Refers callers to needed human and social services 3) Tribute Fund--Provides financial assistance to individuals in emergency situations. Program does not pay for utilities, taxes, or past due bills. 4) Speakers available to discuss the organization and its activities.
Eligibility: Residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties
United Way Community Services
Term(s):
n Federated Giving Programs (TD-1200.1800)
n Information and Referral (TJ-3000)orComprehensive Information and Referral (TJ-3000.1500)
n Undesignated Temporary Financial Aid (BR-9000)
Target(s):
n None needed
There’s no need to index the speakers, since they only appear to be available to talk about their own agency’s activities (and that’s an ancillary service).
Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan26211 Central Park Blvd.Southfield, MI 48076800/377-6226
Purpose: (1952) Organization committed to empowering and enhancing the lives of individuals with epilepsy and their families through support and public awareness.
Services: 1) Increasing public awareness of epilepsy 2) Sponsors two summer camps (Camp Storer and Camp Fowler) to offer children with epilepsy traditional camp activities while providing counselors trained in seizure recognition and first aid 3) Equipment Connection operates an information exchange service which matches people who are looking for used adaptive equipment (suchas van-lifts, wheelchairs, and motorized carts) with others who have such items to sell or donate..
Eligibility: Residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties
Indexing Exercise #4
What is/are the primary service(s)?
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Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan
Term(s):
n Voluntary Health Organizations (TD-1200.6600-900)Note: Even though VHOs routinely provide Disease/Disability Information (LH-2700.1700), if you’ve used that term elsewhere in your database you’re compelled to use it here, too, in addition to the Voluntary Health
Organization term.
n Therapeutic Camps (PL-6400.1500-850)
n Assistive Technology Resale/Listing Service(LH-0650.0350)
Target(s):
n Epilepsy (YF-1800.1800) would be helpful to focus all three terms (four, if you end up using Disease/Disability
Information)
Hunger Action Coalition2727 Second Ave., Suite 109 .Detroit, MI 48210313/965-8117
Purpose: (1975) Organization which seeks to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition in Michigan through research, community education, and coordination of and support for local emergency food programs.
Services: 1) Provides information, technical assistance, coordination, and advocacy for food providers 2) Links individuals to soup kitchens, food pantries, and nutrition information 3) Provides speakers to conduct presentations about hunger and nutrition issues.
Eligibility: Residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties
Indexing Exercise #5
What is/are the primary service(s)?
Hunger Action Coalition
Term(s):
n Hunger/Poverty Action Groups (TD-1600.3200)
n Service Planning and Delivery Assistance(TP-8700.8000)
n Information and Referral (TJ-3000) orSpecialized Information and Referral (TJ-3000.8000)
n Speakers/Speakers Bureaus (TJ-6500.8000)
Target(s):
n Hunger/Food Issues (YZ-3280) would be helpful to qualify the Speakers/Speakers Bureaus term (and possibly all the terms except Hunger/Poverty Action Groups)
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WXYZ – Channel 720777 W. 10 Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075248/827-3362
Purpose: (1953) Television station which serves as a channel of communication for news, entertainment, advertising, and other matters of current interest in the community.
Services: 1) Call for Action—Volunteers help telephone callers locate information and services to resolve disputes with government agencies and the private and business sectors. 2) Ask the Lawyer--Bar association volunteers answer legal questions for telephone callers. Program provides legal information only, NOT legal representation.
Eligibility: No restrictions
Indexing Exercise #6
What is/are the primary service(s)?
WXYZ – Channel 720777 W. 10 Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075248/827-3362
Purpose: (1953) Television station which serves as a channel of communication for news, entertainment, advertising, and other matters of current interest in the community.
Services: 1) Call for Action—Volunteers help telephone callers locate information and services to resolve disputes with government agencies and the private and business sectors. 2) Ask the Lawyer--Bar association volunteers answer legal questions for telephone callers. Program provides legal information only, NOT legal representation.
Eligibility: No restrictions
WXYZ – Channel 7
Term(s):
n Television Station/Access Systems (TJ-5500.8500) *
n Media Consumer Services (DD-2100.5000)
n Legal Information Lines (TJ-3200.4500)
Target(s):
n None needed
* It’s your call whether to index the agency as a television station. You’re presumably putting the agency into your database because of its special programs. If you index it as a television station, consistency dictates that you shouldalso include all other local stations in your database. Contact info for TV stations is so readily accessible via theInternet or the phone book that there’s really no practical need to put it into your database.
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Workshop Objectives Revisited
n To review the Taxonomy’s structure and design
n To introduce basic principles and practices in indexing
n To help participants recognize some of the decisions that have to be made when using the Taxonomy
n To discuss Taxonomy maintenance and customization procedures
n To have �fun � while we’re learning
Note—Please take the time to fill out your workshop evaluation forms. The feedback you supply will be helpful both to me and to planners of future conferences.
For a � Fun � Way to Reinforce the Information
Presented Today
Write to me for an interactive copy of Indexing Jeopardy.
My address is on the front slide.
Thanks for Faed Hendry of FindHelp of Toronto for the Jeopardy template.
Three Parting Reminders
Friends don’t let friends index drunk
Only you can prevent bad indexing.
Don’t ever misuse the words Taxonomy
or Term