Body of Knowledge

Journals and Newsletters

The Indexer: The International Journal of Indexing

The Indexer is published on behalf of indexing societies worldwide. It seeks to cover the full range of subjects, from articles at the cutting edge of new techniques, to practical discussions of new tools available to indexers, to exploration of the history of indexing.

First published by the Society of Indexers (UK) in 1958 on a twice-yearly basis, it moved in 2008 to a quarterly publication. From 2019 the journal is published by Liverpool University Press.

Visit theindexer.org.

Cover of The Indexer: The International Journal of Indexing
The Indexer: The International Journal of Indexing

Websites

Multilingual Dictionary of Basic Indexing Terms

This website is a translation tool for multilingual indexers. The searchable table features 127 concepts with over 900 terms, presented in English, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese (European), and French. The table is under continuous development by an international group of indexers, with plans to add more languages, more terms, and more features.

Visit dictionary.theindexer.org.

Books About Indexing

Society curated book lists

ASI (US) – Books and Articles: asindexing.org/reference-shelf/books-and-articles

ISC/SCI (Canada) – Resources: indexers.ca/resources

SI (UK) – Books on Indexing: www.indexers.org.uk/resources/books-on-indexing

Index, A History of the: A Bookish Adventure from Medieval Manuscripts to the Digital Age

By Dennis Duncan, with index by Paula Clarke Bain — a very accessible and entertaining look at the history of indexing.

Publishers and translations

There is also a Japanese translation and a Portuguese edition.

Cover of Index: A History of the, by Dennis Duncan
US Edition

Style Guides

The following style guides each contain a comprehensive, in-depth chapter on indexing:

  • The Chicago Manual of Style can be acquired in print or with an online subscription. Here is the in chapter on indexing.
  • New Hart’s Rules: The Oxford Style Guide is the oldest continuously updated style guide in the English language. Purchase it here.

Standards

The following standards provide guidelines for the content, organization, and presentation of indexes.

ANSI/NISO Z39.4-2021 Criteria for Indexes

ISO 999:1996 Information and documentation — Guidelines for the content, organization and presentation of indexes