Library of Congress Subject Headings

Library of Congress Subject Headings
Review [Bring SCM:SH] [Put copy of LCSH at front of room] Let’s do a brief review of Library of Congress Subject Headings.

LCSH What is the entire work about? Find appropriate heading in LCSH
Look for Appropriate Subdivisions In LCSH Is your subject heading sufficiently precise? Search for appropriate subdivision in SCM:SH Add geographic subdivision if appropriate We start by asking ourselves “What is the entire work about?” [click] Then we look in LCSH for a subject heading that expressed that concept. [click] When we find an appropriate heading, we look to see if there are any appropriate subdivisions under that heading that would be appropriate.. [click At this point, we ask whether our subject heading is sufficiently precise to express the concept of what this book is about. [click] If so, we go directly to our geographic subdivision if appropriate. [click] If not, we search the Subject Cataloging Manual for a floating subdivision that might be appropriate. [click] When we feel that our subject heading expresses the concept, we look to see if a geographic subdivision is appropriate. If so, we add it at the most specific point in our heading that geographic subdivision is allowed. No Yes – go to geog. subdiv.

Providing specificity—Types of subdivisions
Geographic Chronological (time period) Topical Form As you recall, LCSH offers a variety of types of subdivisions. These allow us to provide greater specificity in our subject headings. These subdivisions can specify a particular geographic area or a time period. They can restrict a subject to a particular subtopic within the area. Or they can designate the form of the item we’re cataloging.

Geographic subdivision permissions—two ways
Church and state (May Subd Geog) — Austria Heading: Church and state — Austria We can only subdivide geographically when you have permission to do so. Permission can be given in two ways: Explicitly listed in LCSH The phrase “may subdivide geographically” Courts (May Subd Geog) Heading: Courts — Alabama — Baldwin County

Church and state (May Subd Geog) — Austria
In the big red books Church and state (May Subd Geog) — Austria Online at A subject heading with an established geographic subdivision is easy to see in the Big Red Books. But what does this look like in the online version? [click] Let’s search on “church and state” [click] Being careful to select Subject Authority Headings [click] We click on begin search [click]

Constructed heading [click] We find the established subject heading “Church and state.” We can see that by clicking on the button to the left of the heading. However, we want to find out if the Library of Congress has already established Austria as a geographic subdivision of Church and State. For that we don’t click on the button. We scan down the list of headings. [click] The heading “Church and State—Africa” has been constructed by a cataloger who was cataloging a book on the relationship between church and state in Africa. However, it hasn’t been established in LCSH. Meaning, you won’t find it in the Big Red Books. [click] We can see this because there is no button to the left of the heading that allows us to go to an authority record for “Church and state—Africa.” [click] We don’t see Austria yet so we scroll down the page.

[click] We continue scanning down the list. We get to the bottom of the page and we still haven’t seen Austria yet so we go to the continuation of the list. [click]

“Authorized Heading” tells you that Austria has been authorized as a geographic subdivision for “Church and state” At last we find “Church and state—Austria” [click] We know this is an authorized heading because we see our button that says “Authorized heading.” [click] At this point we would click on the button and retrieve our authority record.

How do we know we are allowed to subdivide a heading geographically?
Courts (May Subd Geog) How do we know that a heading can be subdivided geographically? In the printed version this is easy. [click] It says “May Subdivide Geographically.” But what about the online version? [click] For that we need to look at the actual authority record. [Click]

We click on the authority record for our term. [click]

And we click again. [click]

This is the top section of the authority record for Courts.
Now, you may remember that when you entered a cataloging record online there were a series of “fixed fields” at the top of the screen. An authority record for a subject heading also has a set of fixed fields. Let’s look at the 008 field [click]. Let’s enlarge it a bit to make it easier to see.

Authority record Courts 008 860211i| anannbabn |b ana
This is the 008 field of the authority record for Courts. Notice the i in the character string? This i means that the subject heading can be subdivided geographically. An “i” in this position means “yes” you can geographically subdivide. If this position were blank, it would mean “no” you cannot geographically subdivide this heading. Remember how we mentioned that in the old days LCSH would say that a heading could be geographically subdivided either directly or indirectly but that now we only use always do it indirectly, going through the collection level? That’s why this is an i. i in this position means that the subject heading can be subdivided geographically

Now you’re probably wondering where would you find out that an “i” in that position of the 008 field of a subject authority record indicated whether the heading could be subdivided geographically. The answer takes us to the MARC standards page at the Library of Congress. For the first part of the class we concentrated on MARC bibliographic to find out how to encode a bibliographic record for our book. To find out what the fields mean in an authority record we need to consult MARC Authority. [click] Let’s enlarge the left-hand section of the MARC standards page.

To find information about our authority record, we click on the link to MARC Authority. [click]

To get to the information about the 008 field we click on 00X. [click]

Then we click on the 008 field.

008 - FIXED-LENGTH DATA ELEMENTS (NR)
Forty character positions (00-39) that contain positionally-defined data elements … Character positions … 06 - Direct or indirect geographic subdivision Indicates whether the 1XX heading may be subdivided geographically when used as a subject heading and, if so, the method of subdivision used. # - Not subdivided geographically The heading may not be subdivided geographically. i - Subdivided geographically--indirect The name of the larger geographic entity is interposed between the heading and the subdivision for the specific place to which the heading is limited. This is the information about the 008 field. I’ve edited out some of the information in order to make it easier to read. [click] The 008 field contains forty character positions (00-39) (note that the numbering starts with 0), that contain positionally-defined data elements. In other words, you look at each position in the character string to determine what the character means. You’ll see this in a moment. [click] The character at position number 06 tells us whether or not a subject heading can be subdivided geographically. [click] If position 06 is left blank, we cannot subdivide the heading geographically. [click] An “i” in position number 06 tells us that we can subdivide something geographically. Let’s see what this looks like in an authority record.

Authority record Courts 008 860211i| anannbabn |b ana MARC tag 1 2 3 4
Pos. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 [click The 008 is our MARC tag. [click] Within the field the position numbers start with 0. Our “i” in the authority record for Courts is in the 6th position, telling us that the heading can be subdivided geographically. Now you see why I focus on the Big Red Books in the beginning-level class. Position no. 6

Corless family (Not Subd Geog)
For contrast, let’s take a look at a heading that may not be subdivided geographically. [click] Let’s take a look at the 008 field of the authority record. [click] Again, let’s enlarge it.

Authority record Corless family 008 860211 | anannbabn |a ana
Notice that the 6th position is blank? [click] This indicates that the heading cannot be subdivided geographically. [click] blank in this position means that the subject heading cannot be subdivided geographically

Geographic subdivision collecting levels
Perfumes (May Subd Geog) Headings If you are adding a geographic subdivision for a city, county, or town, with a few exceptions (Washington, D.C.; Jerusalem; New York metropolitan area) you must go through a collecting level. Perfumes — France — Paris Perfumes — Oregon — Portland

Geographic subdivisions - collecting levels
United States, Canada, Great Britain First-level political subdivisions (states, constituent countries, republics) assigned directly Posies — Idaho — Pocatello Celts — Alberta — Calgary Kilts — Scotland — Kirkcaldy Other countries Collecting level is the country Tulips — Netherlands — Tilburg For a city outside of the United States, Canada, and Great Britain, the collecting level is the country. For the United States the collecting level is the state. For Canada it’s the province. Gardens—Québec (Province)—Montréal For Great Britain it’s the constituent country, such as Scotland. Gardens—Scotland—Dumfriesshire

Geographic subdivisions - collecting levels (2)
Exceptions to the rule: Washington Metropolitan Area, New York Metropolitan Area, and Jerusalem Metropolitan Area are cited directly Ferns — Washington (D.C.) Ferns — Jerusalem The exceptions to the previous rule are: Washington Metropolitan Area New York Metropolitan Area Jerusalem Metropolitan Area These are cited directly. [Next slide for New York]

Geographic subdivisions - collecting levels (3)
New York Metropolitan Area Ferns — New York Metropolitan Area New York City Ferns — New York (State) — New York The New York Metropolitan area evidently includes parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. New York City is entirely within New York State

Tea tasting in Tehran Tea tasting (May Subd Geog) Tea tasting — Iran
from LCSH: Tea tasting (May Subd Geog) What is our collecting level for Tehran? Let’s say we have a book on tea tasting in Tehran (Iran). What is our subject heading? [click] So we start with tea tasting. [click] Can we subdivide geographically? [click] Yes. [click What is our collecting level for Tehran? [click] Iran [click] Okay, so we add Iran. [click] Then Tehran. Tea tasting — Iran — Tehran

Glass blowing in Glasgow
from LCSH: Glass blowing and working (May Subd Geog) What is our collecting level for Glasgow? What if we have a book on glassblowing in Glasgow? [click] What is our subject heading? [click] So we start with glassblowing and working. [click] Can we subdivide geographically? [click] Yes. [click What is our collecting level for Tehran? [click] Iran [click] Okay, so we add Iran. [click] Then Tehran. Glass blowing and working — Scotland — Glasgow

Geographic subdivisions versus geographic heading
Gardens — France — Paris Geographic qualifier We talked the difference between geographically subdividing a topic and topically subdividing a place. In the top box we have a topical subject heading (Gardens) subdivided by a place, Paris. In subdividing by place we record the collecting level (France) first, then record the city. Note that when the geographic entity is the subject heading rather than the subdivision it is represented differently. We start with the specific entity and add a geographic qualifier. Geographic heading: Paris (France) — Description and travel

Subdivisions Listed in LCSH
Free-floating subdivisions to be added by cataloger We can find our subdivisions in a couple of ways. Subdivisions can be listed in LCSH itself, already established for us Or we can consult our lists of free-floating subdivisions. If we find a subdivision that is appropriate, we can add it where allowed.

Free-floating subdivisions
Five types: General free-floating subdivisions Subdivisions under classes of persons and ethnic groups Subdivisions under names of individual corporate bodies, persons, and families Subdivisions used under place names Subdivisions controlled by pattern headings Sometimes you go as far as you can in LCSH and you find your subject heading is still a bit too broad. In order to build a subject heading with greater specificity there are listings of subdivisions that can be added to subject headings found in LCSH. Some of these subdivisions can be added to pretty much any subject heading where it makes sense. These are referred to as general free-floating subdivisions. Other free-floating subdivisions are authorized only under certain types of headings. We have subdivisions that can be used under classes of persons and ethnic groups… Let’s look at some examples.

Subject Cataloging Manual
Subject Headings Volume 2 H 1075-H1200 We find our free-floating subdivisions in the Subject Cataloging Manual: Subject Headings. This consists of four loose-leaf binders. They’re loose-leaf so that they can be updated—which they are frequently. The first volume includes the table of contents for the entire four volumes and information—largely for the staff of the Library of Congress—on how to create a new subject heading. The second volume is the one you’ll use the most. It contains the free-floating subdivisions and subdivisions governed by pattern headings, which you’ll see in a moment.

Contents of Volume Two H 1075 Subdivisions
H Free-floating subdivisions H Classes of Persons H Ethnic Groups H Corporate Bodies H Names of Persons H Names of Families H Names of Places H Bodies of Water H Subdivisions Controlled by Pattern Headings H Animals This is one section of the table of contents for Volume 2, giving lists of subdivisions. First we have lists of free-floating subdivisions that can be added to certain types of headings, such as headings for particular ethnic groups. Then there are our pattern headings. Pattern headings: Animals Chemicals Colonies Diseases Educational institutions Industries Languages … Plants and crops Religions 30

General free-floating subdivisions
Form or topical Form : what the work is Environmental education— Bibliography Topical : what the work is about Environmental education — Political aspects Our free-floating subdivisions can be either form or topical. By form, we mean what the work is rather than what it is about. For example, the general free-floating subdivision “Bibliography” can be used to indicate that the item is a bibliography about a particular subject. Topical refers to what the work is about.

Free-Floating Subdivisions H 1095
Older version: Free-Floating Subdivisions H 1095  ―Designs and plans (H 1532) Use under architectural headings, including types of buildings and rooms, and under landscape headings, including types of gardens and parks, for works containing architectural drawings. ―Deterioration Use under types of substances, materials, products, etc.  ―Dictionaries (H 1540) Use under subjects. See also –Encyclopedias ― Use only as topical subdivision ― Use as either form or topical subdivision In the older editions of the SCM:SH the subdivisions that cold be used as form subdivisions were marked with diamonds. A diamond meant that the subdivision cold be used as a form subdivision and, in most cases, could also be used as a topical subdivision. [click] A heading without a diamond could only be used as a topical subdivision.

Free-Floating Subdivisions H 1095
Section in Subject Cataloging Manual $v Designs and plans (H 1532) Use under architectural headings, including types of buildings and rooms, and under landscape headings, including types of gardens and parks, for works containing architectural drawings. $x Deterioration Use under types of substances, materials, products, etc. $v Dictionaries (H 1540) Use under subjects. See also –Encyclopedias $x Use only as topical subdivision $v Use as either form or topical subdivision Now the subdivisions that can be used as form subdivisions are morked as subfield v, as subfield v is used for a form subdivision in the latest MARC standard. (However, not all systems can accommodate the subfield v at present.)

General free-floating subdivisions—form
Personal Name: Giraudeau, Pierre Philippe, Main Title: Dictionnaire français-tibétain ... Subjects: French language —Dictionaries —Tibetan Here we have an example of a subdivision indicating form. The work is a dictionary. Form subdivision

Subdivisions used under classes of persons (H1100)
“including age and sex groups; social, economic, and political categories of persons; types of afflicted persons; members of particular religions; employees and occupational groups” The subject cataloging manual includes a listing of subdivisions that can be used with a heading for a class of persons. The manual tells you what constitutes a “class of persons” and then gives examples. Political prisoners — Abuse of Darts players — Anecdotes

Subdivisions used under ethnic groups (H1103)
“ethnic groups, including preliterate groups, historic peoples no longer in existence, races, and ethnic groups in the United States, for example, Berbers; French-Canadians; Australian aborigines; Hmong (Asian people) …” We also have a list of subdivisions that can be used under the name of an ethnic group. Again, the manual describes what the Library Congress means by “ethnic group.” French-Canadians — Job stress Dinka (African people) — Clothing

Subdivisions used under names of individual corporate bodies, persons, and families
Subdivisions under names of persons (H 1110) Lincoln, Abraham, — Birthplace Subdivisions under family names Smith family — Homes and haunts In addition, we lists of subdivisions to be used under names of persons, families…

Subdivisions used under place names
Subdivisions under names of places (H 1140) Italy — Social life and customs Places, and so forth.

Use to provide greater specificity Use only one per heading If two free-floating subdivisions apply, create two headings We use subdivisions to provide greater specificity. We may only apply one floating subdivision per heading. If two floating subdivisions appear applicable, then build and record two subject headings. Berbers—Clothing Berbers—Jewelry

Place at end of heading from LCSH Table tennis — Coaching— Bibliography The free-floating subdivision is paced at the end of your heading, although some subdivisions allow you to further divide them geographically.

Subdivisions controlled by pattern headings
Standardized sets of topical and form subdivisions for use under particular categories of subject headings or name headings used as subjects In some cases there are a substantial number of subdivisions that can logically be applied to any number of a particular category of headings. For example, there are many subdivisions that are appropriate for any type of land vehicle—car, truck, suv, etc. Instead of listing these under every type of land vehicle, LC lists them all under one type—in this case automobilies. We are then instructed to use any of these subdivisions under trucks, suvs, etc. These are called pattern headings. This saves a lot of room in the manual.

Pattern heading examples
Category Pattern(s) Chemicals Copper; Insulin Diseases Cancer; Tuberculosis Musical Comps. Operas Organs of body Foot; Heart Plants & crops Corn Land vehicles Automobiles Here are some examples of pattern headings. If you a subject heading for a chemical, you may add any subdivision listed under copper or insulin in LCSH, as long as it makes sense. The subdivisions are listed in LCSH under copper and insulin. They are also listed in the Subject Cataloging Manual. If you have a subject heading for a type of land vehicle you may use an subdivision listed in LCSH under automobiles.

Pattern headings: Religion
Pattern: Buddhism $x Apologetic works $x Apologetic works $x History and criticism $v Catechisms $x Charities … If we have any LCSH heading for a religion we can use the subdivisions established under Buddhism with that heading, although the scope note says that Christianity is excluded. (For Christianity we are told to look under the LCSH heading for Christianity.) [click] So if we have a book about charities in Vaishnavism, [click] We start with the heading Vaishnavism [click] We look to our pattern heading for religion, which is Buddhism. [click] Under Buddhism we find the subdivision Charities. [click] So we use add Charities as a subdivision to Vaishnavism. And that is the subject heading for our book. Charities in Vaishnavism Vaishnavism — Charities

Pattern headings: Plants and crops
Pattern: Corn $x Abnormalities (May Subd Geog) $x Adaptation (May Subd Geog) $x Age $x Aging $x Aging $x Genetic aspects $x Analysis $x Anatomy … [show listing in subject cataloging manual] [show listings in LCSH under copper]

Daffodil dispersal in Duluth
(Duluth is in Minnesota.) from LCSH: Daffodils (May Subd Geog) —Diseases and pests (May Subd Geog) —Varieties (May Subd Geog) What is our pattern heading for daffodils? Pattern Heading: Corn Dispersal (May Subd Geog) What if we have a book on Daffodil dispersal in Duluth? [click] What is our subject heading in the Big Red Books? [click] So we start with Daffodils. [click] What is our pattern heading for daffodils? [click] Is there any subdivision under corn that would be applicable here? (And what is it?) [click] Dispersal[click] So let’s add Dispersal [click] Can we geographically subdivide Dispersal? Yes. [click] What is our collecting level for Duluth? [click] Minnesota [click] Okay, so we add Minnesota. [click] Then Duluth. What is our collecting level for Duluth? Daffodils — Dispersal — Minnesota — Duluth

Subject heading with floating subdivision must make sense
Blueberries — Husking Not!!!!! And, of course, the subdivision from our pattern heading must make sense under the subject heading. Husking may be fine under “corn” but doesn’t work too well under “Blueberries.”

Berman’s Recommendation
In-class exercise Prejudices and antipathies - Sanford Berman LCSH term Berman’s Recommendation Present-day Lepers Hansen’s disease patients Mohammedanism Islam Paganism Cancel Indians of North America, Civilization of Idiocy sa Epilepsy Gypsies sa Rogues and vagabonds Remove the sa Leprosy patients “Here is entered literature dealing with efforts to civilize the Indians...” Now, we’ll be doing another of our typical LCSH subject heading exercises in a moment. But first we’re going to do a different kind of in-class exercise. Here are some headings to which Sandy Berman objected. Some of these are fairly obvious. [click] For example, “Lepers” was a pejorative term used to isolate, stigmatize, rob people of their human dignity. [click] Berman suggested changing it to “Hansen’s disease patients.” [click] The current LCSH term is “Leprosy patients.” Some are less obvious. [click] Indians of “North America, Civilization of” sounds fine. Sounds like we’re talking about the civilizations that existed for centuries before Europeans arrived, right? [click] Unless you read the Scope note: “Here is entered literature dealing with efforts to civilize the Indians...”

Berman’s Recommendation
In-class exercise Prejudices and antipathies - Sanford Berman LCSH term Berman’s Recommendation Present-day Lepers Hansen’s disease patients Leprosy patients Mohammedanism Islam Paganism Cancel Indians of North America, Civilization of Idiocy sa Epilepsy Gypsies sa Rogues and vagabonds Remove the sa Why is this issue important? What obligations do we have to our patrons concerning our subject headings? To society? First I would like you to form into discussion groups. You should not have more than five people in your group. Then I would you to see what has happened with at least one of these headings on the left. Then I would like you to address the question: Why is this whole issue important? What obligations do we have to our patrons concerning our subject headings? What obligations do we have to society? Keep in mind that libraries throughout the United States and elsewhere use the Library of Congress Subject Headings. After you’ve had time to discuss this, we’ll meet back together as a class and each group will report their thoughts and findings to the class. Be sure to appoint a spokesperson for your group.

Have a joyous day! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFlKx3YPL5I
And now, because we are close to the day each year on which we all get in touch with our inner Irish, we can hear a bit of Celtic harp music as we move to the next in-class exercise.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Library of Congress Subject Headings"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Library of Congress Subject Headings"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback