Society of Indexers
The Society of Indexers (SI) is a professional society based in the UK, with its offices in Sheffield, England, but has members worldwide. It exists to promote indexing, the quality of indexes and the profession of indexing. It provides a distance training course in indexing leading to its qualification of Accredited Indexer. A further qualification of Fellow of the Society is awarded for proof of experience and index quality. Indexers Available is its online directory of professional indexers available to take freelance indexing work.
History
The Society of Indexers was formally constituted at the premises of the National Book League in the UK on 30 March 1957 by G. Norman Knight and approximately 60 other people. He "count[ed] it as one of the achievements of the Society to have removed the intense feeling of solitude in which the indexer (of books and journals, at any rate) used to work."[1]
Later members in various areas of the world grouped together and formed societies which are now affiliated
- American Society for Indexing [2]
- Indexing Society of Canada [3]
- Australian and New Zealand Society of Indexers [4]
- China Society of Indexers [5]
Publications
It started publishing its journal, The Indexer ISSN 0019-4131 (print) ISSN 1756-0632 (online), in 1958 which continues today and is the official journal of all the indexing societies. Originally published twice each year, it is now quarterly. Subscriptions are open to members and non-members. Issues up until two years ago are available online on its website [6]
The society newsletter SIdelights is published quarterly and is only available to society members.
Conferences
Conferences are held, usually annually and in the UK.
