5.5.5. Index

An index is a detailed list of subjects, persons, places, events, etc. mentioned in a publication, indicating their exact position in the text.

An index can be classified according to different criteria: alphabetical, by subject, chronological, numerical, etc.

Often a number of classification subsystems are used in the same index.

Special indexes (of authors, place-names, etc.) can be compiled or all the entries can be contained in a general index.

Presentation of an index

In the print production process, once the work has been made up, the author service must complete and check the index (e.g. the author is responsible for entering the relevant page number(s) against each entry).

If the index to a book is published in a separate volume, its title should give the author, title, place and date of the publication concerned, as they appear on the title page.

The title of the index to a periodical or serial publication must give the complete title, volume number and period covered.

In the case of periodicals, it is recommended that cumulative indexes be produced in addition to the volume indexes. References should then give the year and volume number.

If each section of a volume is paginated separately, the number or date of the section should be included in the reference.

Running headers must appear on the recto and verso of each sheet and should include the title of the work and the type of index. In the case of a large index, it is advisable to print the initial letters of the first and last word, or the words in full, at the top and at the outer edge of each page.

If the index comes at the beginning of the publication, its pagination must be distinct from that of the text.

Indexes to periodicals or other serial publications must be published for each volume, and yearly if possible. In the same way, cumulative indexes must be published at regular intervals.