This is a practical tool and comprehensive introduction to the use of controlled vocabularies. This authoritative and detailed volume presents readers with a 'how-to' guide to building controlled vocabulary tools, cataloguing and indexing cultural materials with terms and names from controlled vocabularies, and how to use vocabularies in search engines and databases to enhance discovery and retrieval online. "Introduction to Controlled Vocabularies" also features in-depth discussions on a number of topics, including: What are controlled vocabularies and why are they useful? Which vocabularies exist for cataloguing art and cultural objects? and how should they be used for indexing and retrieving? This book provides organizations and individuals with a practical tool for creating and implementing vocabularies as reference tools, sources of documentation, and powerful enhancements for online searching.