Aims and services
Aims
The aims of the Society are (updated AGM Sept 2011):
- improve the quality of indexing in Australia and New Zealand:
- promote the training, continuing professional development, status and interests of indexers in Australia and New Zealand;
- provide opportunities for those interested in and connected with indexing to meet and exchange information and experiences relating to all aspects of indexing;
- act as an advisory body on indexing to which authors, editors, publishers and others may apply for guidance;
- establish and maintain relationships between the society and other bodies with related interests;
- raise awareness of the value of indexers, indexing and indexes;
- publish and disseminate information in accord with the foregoing aims.
Membership of the Society is open to persons and institutions engaged in indexing, and to others interested in promoting the aims of the Society.
Services
Current awareness
Current awareness is vital to indexers who need to keep abreast of new methods, new media and new technology. The Society provides a wide range of current awareness opportunities through its publications and meetings.
Continuing professional development
Continuing professional development depends on contact with other indexers, which the Society provides through its meetings, courses, workshops, biannual conference and newsletter. The Society's membership is available in the Member Directory, so informal contacts can be made, and the Society encourages the formation of branches.
Promotion
Services offered by both Registered Indexers and by other trained and experienced indexers are actively promoted by the Society. Freelance members of the Society, in particular, can be put in touch with publishers and authors seeking indexers, especially members with special subject expertise. This is done through Indexers Available and the Member Directory.
Indexers Available
Indexers Available is a listing compiled by the Society to help publishers and authors to find an indexer. The indexers listed are all members of the Society and all expect to be available to take commissions. It includes Registered Indexers, and other indexers with training and/or experience whose competence has not yet been established.
Register of indexers
Professional competence is recognised by admission to the Register of Indexers. Registration requires the fulfillment of certain conditions.
Remuneration
Fees for indexing are always open to negotiation. The Society publishes a recommended rate for freelance back-of-book indexers. Individual indexers are at liberty to charge above or below this rate as they deem appropriate.
Database indexing rates are more variable, and are usually charged on a per record basis, so rates will vary depending on the complexity of the indexing required.
Meetings
Meetings are held periodically in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide. They are fully reported in the Newsletter. See Events.
Medal
The Society offers the ANZSI Medal for an outstanding index.
