Theater in the Library: Classification and Subject Indexing

Abstract

This paper addresses the technical handling of theater documents in libraries in general. It is intended to reflect on some issues related to documentary description, more specifically the classification and indexing by subject. After a brief overview, procedures are described and examples of instruments for this important work of librarians are presented. It is illustrated with cases taken from catalogs of national and foreign libraries related to the work of Irish playwright Enda Walsh. That said, the tradition of non-indexing by subject of literary works, namely dramatic text, is questioned, given the needs of retrieving information from library users and reading communities. It concludes with the call for the participation of all (academics, researchers, artists, anonymous readers) in the work developed by librarians, in favor of literary reading and theater as art.