The German so called or SWK (English: Keyword catalog) is a library catalog, which lists the publications according to descriptor

keyword Keyword may refer to: Computing * Keyword (Internet search), a word or phrase typically used by bloggers or online content creator to rank a web page on a particular topic * Index term, a term used as a keyword to documents in an information syst ...

s and thus allows selective thematic searches for literature. A keyword is understood to be a

natural language In neuropsychology, linguistics, and philosophy of language, a natural language or ordinary language is any language that has evolved naturally in humans through use and repetition without conscious planning or premeditation. Natural languages ...

expression that reproduces the content of the publication as briefly but precisely as possible. Complex content can be described using a syntactical keyword chain, a combination of several individual keywords (example: Uganda / child / soldier / experience report). The sub-keywords are not only used for targeted research, but also allow the catalog user to see whether the document found is relevant to him. While earlier keyword catalogs were kept as an independent

card catalog A library catalog (or library catalogue in British English) is a register of all bibliographic items found in a library or group of libraries, such as a network of libraries at several locations. A catalog for a group of libraries is also c ...

, the search option for keywords is integrated in modern

OPAC The online public access catalog (OPAC), now frequently synonymous with '' library catalog'', is an online database of materials held by a library or group of libraries. Online catalogs have largely replaced the analog card catalogs previously ...

Rules for keyword cataloging

The (English: Rules for subject headings cataloging) (RSWK), up to the third edition in 2016 still called (English: Rules for the subject headings catalog), are used in universal

academic libraries An academic library is a library that is attached to a higher education institution and serves two complementary purposes: to support the curriculum and the research of the university faculty and students. It is unknown how many academic librar ...

and

public libraries A public library is a library that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also civil servants. There are five fundamenta ...

, and with restrictions also in special libraries in Germany, Austria, and in German-speaking parts of Switzerland and Italy (South Tyrol) for verbal subject cataloguing of bibliographical contents. In addition, there is an index of the keywords available, the (SWD), which has been incorporated into the (GND) in 2012.

Rules for keyword cataloging

See also

References

Further reading