The goal of this paper is to introduce a number of common structures from the worlds of Library Science and Information Architecture to the world of topic maps. It is hoped that in going through this exercise, two things can be achieved:

• Information Architects will learn how topic maps provide a single, flexible data model in which the commonly used structures of IA can be represented and which provides the ability to layer multiple structures over a single set of information.

• Topic map creators can add a few new general patterns of topic map development to their toolbox and use common Published Subject Indicators (PSIs) in implementing those patterns.

The sections that follow are all presented in the same way, starting with a general description of the pattern, then proceeding to a discussion on the way (or ways) in which this pattern could be implemented in a topic map and finally, where appropriate, introducing some proposed Published Subject Indicators for topic maps to use in implementing those patterns.