WE HAVE DIVIDED the steps in indexing into four groups:

• planning: scope, personnel and processes

• words, including concept analysis, term selection and controlled vocabularies

• structure, including subheadings, cross-references and filing rules

• evaluation, output and interoperability.

We consider each of these first from the point of view of all indexing, then specifically in relation to book-style indexing and collection indexing as appropriate.

The better you plan for an index, the higher its quality. Having decided that an index is needed, you need to consider the types of indexes (e.g., author and title), the size they will be, who will do them and when. The editor, and sometimes the author, has a major role in planning and editing book-style indexes, but the other parts are usually left up to the indexer. The project manager has a major role in planning and editing collection indexes, and will oversee all aspects of the process.

Book-style indexing

Most of the planning for book-style indexes is done by editors before they commission an indexer (See Editors in Chapter 1). In many cases it would be better if editors contacted indexers earlier in the process. Either way, an indexer has to confirm that the proposed brief is feasible with respect to index size, time and budget.

A book index is normally published with the content it refers to, but it may be separated: for example, a printed book may have an online index.

Selectivity of indexing

AS/NZS 999 (section 7.1.1) notes: ‘Indexes should normally cover all matter in the documents.’