LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LIBRARY OF CONGRESS SUBJECT HEADINGSUBJECT HEADING

By By

Ms. Preeti Patel Ms. Preeti Patel

Lecturer Lecturer

School of Library And Information ScienceSchool of Library And Information Science

DAVV, IndoreDAVV, Indore

Email: Email: preetipatel2407@yahoo.co.inpreetipatel2407@yahoo.co.in

Contents of LCSHContents of LCSH

1)1) What is subject heading ?What is subject heading ?

2)2) Type of Subject Heading Type of Subject Heading

3)3) What is library of congress subject What is library of congress subject heading heading

4)4) Use term in LCSH Use term in LCSH

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5)5) Functions of Library of Congress Functions of Library of Congress Subject HeadingsSubject Headings

6)6) Principles of Heading Principles of Heading ConstructionConstruction

7)7) SH for Special Materials in LCSH.SH for Special Materials in LCSH.

8)8) ConclusionConclusion

1 What is subject heading1 What is subject heading

Subject cataloguing is that specific Subject cataloguing is that specific procedure of cataloguing by which procedure of cataloguing by which the cataloguer chooses the the cataloguer chooses the appropriate subject heading for the appropriate subject heading for the subject discussed in the catalogued subject discussed in the catalogued books. books.

The main objective of the subject The main objective of the subject cataloguing is to fulfill the subject cataloguing is to fulfill the subject related needs of the readers.related needs of the readers.

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Subject heading gives complete Subject heading gives complete indication of the subject covered in indication of the subject covered in the book , including all of its various the book , including all of its various aspects and forms. aspects and forms.

Subject heading should be a Subject heading should be a synonym and indication of the synonym and indication of the specific subject of a book.specific subject of a book.

2 Type of Subject Heading2 Type of Subject Heading

Some useful Subject Heading aspect Some useful Subject Heading aspect all over words are given below. all over words are given below.

Sears list of Subject heading, (SLSH)Sears list of Subject heading, (SLSH) A.L.A. List of Subject Headings for A.L.A. List of Subject Headings for

Use in Dictionary CataloguesUse in Dictionary Catalogues Library of Congress Subject Library of Congress Subject

Headings (LCSH) Headings (LCSH)

3 What is library of congress 3 What is library of congress subject headingsubject heading

The The Library of Congress Subject Library of Congress Subject HeadingsHeadings ( (LCSHLCSH) comprise a) comprise a thesaurus thesaurus of subject headings, maintained by the of subject headings, maintained by the United States Library of Congress for use United States Library of Congress for use in bibliographic recordsin bibliographic records..

LCSHs are applied to every item within a LCSHs are applied to every item within a library’s collection, and facilitate a user’s library’s collection, and facilitate a user’s access to items in the catalogue that access to items in the catalogue that pertain to similar subject matter. pertain to similar subject matter.

If users could only locate items by If users could only locate items by ‘title’ or other descriptive fields, such ‘title’ or other descriptive fields, such as ‘author’ or ‘publisher’, they would as ‘author’ or ‘publisher’, they would have to expend an enormous amount have to expend an enormous amount of time searching for items of related of time searching for items of related subject matter, and undoubtedly subject matter, and undoubtedly miss locating many items because of miss locating many items because of the ineffective and inefficient search the ineffective and inefficient search capability. capability.

LCSH system was originally designed LCSH system was originally designed as a controlled vocabulary for as a controlled vocabulary for representing the subject and form of representing the subject and form of the books and serials in the Library the books and serials in the Library of Congress collectionof Congress collection

Purpose of LCSH is providing subject Purpose of LCSH is providing subject access points to the bibliographic access points to the bibliographic records contained in the Library of records contained in the Library of Congress catalogues. Congress catalogues.

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LCSH is a tool for subject indexing of LCSH is a tool for subject indexing of library catalogs in general.library catalogs in general.

It has also been used as a tool in a It has also been used as a tool in a number of online bibliographic number of online bibliographic databases outside of the Library of databases outside of the Library of Congress. Congress.

Library of Congress Subject Headings, Library of Congress Subject Headings, 30th edition (2007)30th edition (2007)

Print copy of LCSH available in most Print copy of LCSH available in most public librariespublic libraries

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4 Use term in LCSH4 Use term in LCSH

1.1.May Sub. GeogMay Sub. Geog. Place names . Place names may follow the heading. may follow the heading.

2.2.Call number given (Call number given (TT154TT154) ) indicates where most books on this indicates where most books on this subject are found. Rather than subject are found. Rather than search further, you might just go search further, you might just go directly to this call number. directly to this call number.

3. UF (Used For)3. UF (Used For) refers to related refers to related subject headings. subject headings.

4. 4. BT (Broader Topic)BT (Broader Topic) refers to refers to more general subject headings. more general subject headings. These headings would be useful if These headings would be useful if you need to broaden your topic. you need to broaden your topic.

5. RT (Related Topic)5. RT (Related Topic). These terms . These terms can provide ideas of other topics can provide ideas of other topics to investigate. to investigate.

6. SA (See Also)6. SA (See Also) refers you to other refers you to other ways of looking up the same topic. ways of looking up the same topic.

7. NT (Narrower Topic)7. NT (Narrower Topic) refers to refers to

more specific headings than more specific headings than

the boldface heading the boldface heading

5 Functions of Library of Congress 5 Functions of Library of Congress Subject HeadingsSubject Headings

LCSH system serves both internal and LCSH system serves both internal and external needs.external needs.

LCSH system was originally designed as a LCSH system was originally designed as a controlled vocabulary for representing the controlled vocabulary for representing the subject and form of the books and serials subject and form of the books and serials in the Library of Congress collectionin the Library of Congress collection

Purpose of LCSH is providing subject Purpose of LCSH is providing subject access points to the bibliographic records access points to the bibliographic records contained in the Library of Congress contained in the Library of Congress catalogues. catalogues.

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It has also been used as a tool in a It has also been used as a tool in a number of online bibliographic number of online bibliographic databases outside of the Library of databases outside of the Library of Congress.Congress.

LCSH has become a tool for subject LCSH has become a tool for subject indexing of library catalogs in indexing of library catalogs in general. general.

6 Principles of Heading 6 Principles of Heading ConstructionConstruction

6.1) Fundamental principles of LCSH6.1) Fundamental principles of LCSH

6.2) Structure of subject headings 6.2) Structure of subject headings

6.3) Generation of headings and cross 6.3) Generation of headings and cross references references

6.4) Main headings 6.4) Main headings

6.5) Subdivisions 6.5) Subdivisions

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6.6) Pre-coordination and synthesis 6.6) Pre-coordination and synthesis

6.7) Term relationships 6.7) Term relationships 6.8) Notes 6.8) Notes

6.9) Class numbers 6.9) Class numbers

6.1 Fundamental principles of Library of 6.1 Fundamental principles of Library of Congress Subject HeadingsCongress Subject Headings

The fundamental principles guiding the The fundamental principles guiding the development of the Library of Congress development of the Library of Congress subject headings system are effective subject headings system are effective responses to-responses to-

a)a) User needs User needs b)b) Uniform heading (one heading per subject - Uniform heading (one heading per subject -

control of synonyms) control of synonyms) c)c) Unique heading (one subject per heading - Unique heading (one subject per heading -

control of homographs) control of homographs) d)d) Specific and direct entry Specific and direct entry e)e) Stability Stability f)f) Consistency Consistency

6.2 Structure of subject headings 6.2 Structure of subject headings

A.A. Single-concept Single-concept headingsheadings

AutomobilesAutomobiles BotanyBotany Budget deficitsBudget deficits Electric Electric

interferenceinterference Boards of tradeBoards of trade Clerks of courtClerks of court

B.B. Pre-coordinated Pre-coordinated multiple-concept multiple-concept headingsheadings

Budget in businessBudget in business Church and industryChurch and industry Earth-RotationEarth-Rotation Biology-Scholarships, Biology-Scholarships,

fellowships,fellowships,

6.5 Main headings 6.5 Main headings

The main heading is that part of the The main heading is that part of the subject heading string which subject heading string which represents the main concept without represents the main concept without subdivision. subdivision.

Main headings may be categorized Main headings may be categorized according to their functions: topical according to their functions: topical headings, form headings, and headings, form headings, and different kinds of proper name different kinds of proper name headings. headings.

6.5 Main headings6.5 Main headings

6.5.1) Types and functions of main 6.5.1) Types and functions of main headingsheadings

6.5.2) Syntax6.5.2) Syntax

6.5.1 Types and functions of main 6.5.1 Types and functions of main headingsheadings

A) Topical headings A) Topical headings Topical heading represents a Topical heading represents a concept or object treated in a concept or object treated in a bibliographic item. It reflects what bibliographic item. It reflects what the item is about. Examplesthe item is about. Examples

EconomyEconomy German languageGerman language Soldiers as artistsSoldiers as artists

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B) Form headingsB) Form headings

A form heading reflects the A form heading reflects the form of the material .There are various form of the material .There are various forms of reading material in the library.forms of reading material in the library.

B.1) Bibliographic form:B.1) Bibliographic form:

ExamplesExamples AtlasesAtlases Encyclopedias and dictionariesEncyclopedias and dictionaries Short filmsShort films

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B.2) Artistic and literary form: B.2) Artistic and literary form:

ExamplesExamples

English essaysEnglish essays Piano musicPiano music Short storiesShort stories

6.5.2 Syntax6.5.2 Syntax

Topical and form headings:Topical and form headings:

All main headings consist of single All main headings consist of single nouns or noun equivalents. Noun nouns or noun equivalents. Noun equivalents may be in the form of equivalents may be in the form of adjectives or gerunds or in the form of adjectives or gerunds or in the form of adjectival phrases, conjunctive phrases, adjectival phrases, conjunctive phrases, or prepositional phrases. Qualifiers are or prepositional phrases. Qualifiers are added to headings when necessary.added to headings when necessary.

A) Single noun headings A) Single noun headings

B) Phrase headingsB) Phrase headings

6.5.2 Syntax6.5.2 Syntax A) Single noun A) Single noun

headingsheadings:: 1. Many topical and form 1. Many topical and form

headings consist of a headings consist of a single noun or a noun single noun or a noun equivalent in the form equivalent in the form of a single adjective or of a single adjective or gerund. gerund.

2. Nouns representing 2. Nouns representing concrete objects are concrete objects are normally in the plural normally in the plural form, and nouns form, and nouns representing abstract representing abstract concepts appear in the concepts appear in the singularsingular

EnzymesEnzymes PhilosophiesPhilosophies DeafDeaf RunningRunning ArtArt AgricultureAgriculture EducationEducation ReligionReligion

6.5.2 Syntax6.5.2 Syntax

B) Phrase headingsB) Phrase headings Some concepts that involve two Some concepts that involve two

areas of knowledge can be areas of knowledge can be expressed only byexpressed only by

more or less complex phrases. more or less complex phrases. Ex.-Ex.-1) Bible as literature1) Bible as literature2) Freedom of information2) Freedom of information

B Phrase headingsB Phrase headings

B.1) Adjectival headings B.1) Adjectival headings

B.2) Conjunctive phrase headings B.2) Conjunctive phrase headings

B.3) Prepositional phrase B.3) Prepositional phrase headings headings

B.4) Inverted phrase headings B.4) Inverted phrase headings

7.5.2 Syntax7.5.2 Syntax

B.1) B.1) Adjectival Adjectival headings:headings:

I.I. Computer Computer architecturearchitecture

II.II. Social classesSocial classes

B.2) B.2) Conjunctive Conjunctive phrase phrase headings:headings:

I.I. Children and politicsChildren and politicsII.II. Boats and boatingBoats and boating

7.5.2 Syntax7.5.2 Syntax

B.3) Prepositional B.3) Prepositional phrase phrase headings:headings:

I.I. Directors of Directors of corporationscorporations

II.II. Doctor of philosophy Doctor of philosophy degreedegree

III.III. Proposal writing in Proposal writing in educational researcheducational research

IV.IV. Societies living in Societies living in common without vowscommon without vows

B.4) Inverted B.4) Inverted phrase phrase headings:headings:

I.I. Children’s Children’s literature, Canadianliterature, Canadian

II.II. Education, HigherEducation, Higher

III.III. Taxation, Taxation, Exemption fromExemption from

7.6 Subdivisions 7.6 Subdivisions

Subdivisions are extensions of the Subdivisions are extensions of the main heading. They normally main heading. They normally represent aspects of the main represent aspects of the main heading.heading.

A.1) Topical subdivisions A.1) Topical subdivisions

A.2) Form subdivisions A.2) Form subdivisions

A.3) Geographic subdivisions A.3) Geographic subdivisions

A.4) Chronological subdivisions A.4) Chronological subdivisions

7.6 Subdivisions7.6 Subdivisions

A.1) Topical A.1) Topical subdivisions:subdivisions:

I.I. Intellectual lifeIntellectual life

II.II. MarketingMarketing

III.III. Religious aspectsReligious aspects

A.2) Form A.2) Form subdivisionssubdivisions

I.I. BibliographyBibliography

II.II. PeriodicalsPeriodicals

III.III. PoetryPoetry

IV.IV. TablesTables

7.6 Subdivisions7.6 Subdivisions

A.3) Geographic A.3) Geographic subdivisionssubdivisions

A.3.1) Direct A.3.1) Direct subdivisionssubdivisions

A.3.2) Indirect A.3.2) Indirect subdivisions subdivisions

Music-JapanMusic-Japan Music-CaliforniaMusic-California Music-Economic Music-Economic

aspects-United Statesaspects-United States Music-France-ParisMusic-France-Paris Music-Ontario-TorontoMusic-Ontario-Toronto Music-Publishing-Music-Publishing-

England-LondonEngland-London

7.6 Subdivisions7.6 Subdivisions

A.4) Chronological subdivisions:A.4) Chronological subdivisions:

I.I. Art, Modern-20th centuryArt, Modern-20th centuryII.II. India-History-1800-1899 (19India-History-1800-1899 (19thth century) century)III.III. France-History-Revolution, 1797-1802France-History-Revolution, 1797-1802IV.IV. Lebanon-History-1982-1984Lebanon-History-1982-1984V.V. Poland-Economic conditions-1945-Poland-Economic conditions-1945-VI.VI. United States-History-1945-1953United States-History-1945-1953VII.VII. Bermuda Islands-Description and Bermuda Islands-Description and

travel-1979-travel-1979-

7.7 Pre-coordination and synthesis 7.7 Pre-coordination and synthesis

A heading may contain a single A heading may contain a single concept or a combination of multiple concept or a combination of multiple concepts. The combination may be concepts. The combination may be formed when the heading is being formed when the heading is being established or when it is assigned to established or when it is assigned to a particular bibliographic item.a particular bibliographic item.

A) Multiple-concept main headings A) Multiple-concept main headings

B) Headings with subdivisions B) Headings with subdivisions

7.7 Pre-coordination and synthesis7.7 Pre-coordination and synthesis

A) Multiple-concept main headings:A) Multiple-concept main headings:

i) Children and politicsi) Children and politics

ii) Electricity in artii) Electricity in art

iii) Religious education of teenage boysiii) Religious education of teenage boys B) Headings with subdivisions B) Headings with subdivisions

i) Birth control-Moral and ethical aspectsi) Birth control-Moral and ethical aspects

ii) Cinematography-Electronic equipmentii) Cinematography-Electronic equipment

iii) Philosophy, Ancient-Oriental influencesiii) Philosophy, Ancient-Oriental influences

Term relationshipsTerm relationships

There are four type term There are four type term relationships in LCSH.relationships in LCSH.

A) Equivalence relationshipsA) Equivalence relationships

B) Hierarchical relationshipsB) Hierarchical relationships

C) Associative relationshipsC) Associative relationships

D) General and Specific referencesD) General and Specific references

A Equivalence relationshipsA Equivalence relationships

USE references are USE references are made from made from unauthorized or non-unauthorized or non-preferred terms to preferred terms to authorized or valid authorized or valid headings. Reciprocals, headings. Reciprocals, in the form of UF in the form of UF (Used-for) references, (Used-for) references, are made under the are made under the valid headings. valid headings.

Business intelligenceBusiness intelligence UF Business espionageUF Business espionage UF Corporate intelligenceUF Corporate intelligence UF Espionage, BusinessUF Espionage, Business UF Espionage, IndustrialUF Espionage, Industrial UF Industrial espionageUF Industrial espionage UF Intelligence, BusinessUF Intelligence, Business UF Intelligence, CorporateUF Intelligence, Corporate

B Hierarchical relationshipsB Hierarchical relationships

B.1) Broader terms B.1) Broader terms ApesApes BT PrimatesBT PrimatesEthnology Ethnology BT BT

AnthropologyAnthropologyNovellNovell BT FictionBT FictionHydrogen as fuelHydrogen as fuel BT FuelBT Fuel

B.2) Narrower B.2) Narrower terms terms

FuelFuel NT Hydrogen NT Hydrogen

as fuelas fuel NT Liquid fuelsNT Liquid fuelsLiteratureLiterature NT FictionNT FictionFictionFiction NT NovellNT Novell

C Associative relationshipsC Associative relationships

Example:Example:

ShipsShips

RT Boats and boatingRT Boats and boating

BirdsBirds

RT OrnithologyRT Ornithology

MedicineMedicine

RT PhysiciansRT Physicians

D General and specific references D General and specific references

D.1) General USE D.1) General USE references :references :

1) Cards, Playing1) Cards, Playing USE Card gamesUSE Card games

2) Playing cards2) Playing cards USE Card gamesUSE Card games

D.2) General SA (See D.2) General SA (See also) references:also) references:

1) Flowers1) Flowers SA names of flowers, SA names of flowers,

e.g. Roses; to be e.g. Roses; to be added as neededadded as needed

2) Card games2) Card games See alsoSee also Card tricksCard tricks GamblingGambling TarotTarot

6.8 Notes6.8 Notes

Notes are provided under some headings Notes are provided under some headings in order to define the scope, to explain the in order to define the scope, to explain the relationships among headings, and to relationships among headings, and to assist in the proper application of the assist in the proper application of the headings so that consistency in assigning headings so that consistency in assigning headings to documents on like subjects headings to documents on like subjects may be achieved. may be achieved.

A) Definitions A) Definitions

B) Relations to other headings B) Relations to other headings

C) Instructions, explanationsC) Instructions, explanations

6.9 Class numbers 6.9 Class numbers

A Library of Congress Classification number A Library of Congress Classification number is added to a heading if the caption for the is added to a heading if the caption for the number is identical or nearly identical in number is identical or nearly identical in scope, meaning, and language to the scope, meaning, and language to the subject heading, or if the topic is explicitly subject heading, or if the topic is explicitly mentioned in an "Including" note under the mentioned in an "Including" note under the caption for the number. Multiple class caption for the number. Multiple class numbers may be added to a heading when numbers may be added to a heading when the subject is treated from more than one the subject is treated from more than one perspective. For the heading of a subject perspective. For the heading of a subject covered by a span of class numbers, the full covered by a span of class numbers, the full span of pertinent class numbers is included.span of pertinent class numbers is included.

7 Subject Heading for Special 7 Subject Heading for Special Materials in LCSH.Materials in LCSH.

The assignment of subject heading The assignment of subject heading for audiovisual and special for audiovisual and special instructional materials should follow instructional materials should follow the same principles that are applied the same principles that are applied to books. The heading most to books. The heading most specifically describing the contents specifically describing the contents of the material should be used. And of the material should be used. And the same headings should be applied the same headings should be applied to book and non book material alike. to book and non book material alike.

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American poetry-PeriodicalsAmerican poetry-Periodicals Tuberculosis-Statistics-PeriodicalsTuberculosis-Statistics-Periodicals Jesus Christ-Travel-Palestine-Maps-To Jesus Christ-Travel-Palestine-Maps-To

18001800 Teleki, Samuel, grof, 1845-1916-Teleki, Samuel, grof, 1845-1916-

Journeys-MapsJourneys-Maps Accounting-PeriodicalAccounting-Periodical

8 Conclusion8 Conclusion

LCSH is comparatively simple to use. LCSH is comparatively simple to use. The rules and principles are fairly The rules and principles are fairly

explicit in their directions, containing explicit in their directions, containing scope notes and specific instructions scope notes and specific instructions for their use.for their use.

If followed consistently, LCSH will If followed consistently, LCSH will provide useful reference guide for provide useful reference guide for the user and also to the library the user and also to the library reference staff.reference staff.

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Its disadvantage is that LCSH is American Its disadvantage is that LCSH is American biased . biased .

The words that are used in it are the words The words that are used in it are the words that are popular in American dialect and that are popular in American dialect and which are not popular to Indian conditions. which are not popular to Indian conditions.

Many discrepancies regarding the subject Many discrepancies regarding the subject headings can also be seen in itsheadings can also be seen in its

Labor-LabourLabor-Labour Color-ColourColor-Colour Elevators-Lifts Elevators-Lifts