Hybrid System for Map Indexing Enhanced through GIS

Abstract

Indexing techniques during the earlier phases of their evolution relied entirely on the textual/ conceptual content for the purpose of treating conventional documents for the Index preparation. But with the changing times, the non-conventional documents, such as sound recordings, imageries, paintings, pictures, motion pictures, diagrams and maps etc. were inculcated in the collection maintained by the libraries. And in the modern society, they form integral part of any library collection. For the purpose of treating these non-textual documents, for the adequate storage and retrieval, fresh initiatives are required, preferably incorporating automated facilities. The present paper takes up the specific case of ‘Maps’, being a unique document with an ability to be auxiliary to every other discipline, in addition to that of the mother discipline i.e. Geography. But owing to the same very unique Characteristic, the Indexers face hazards while taking up the indexing of Maps. Since neither the Content nor the Concept based Indexing have been found to be absolutely suitable for the purpose. Therefore a feasibility study for a hybrid type of Indexing system has been attempted in the present paper. Beside the study explores the utility of Geographic Information System as a tool, which can further facilitate the preparation of an Index for a chunk of Maps.