Library of Congress Subject Headings

 

The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is a widely used controlled vocabulary for subject cataloging in libraries and is developed and maintained by the Library of Congress (LC) in the United States. The LCSH system provides standardized subject headings, which are used to categorize and organize bibliographic records based on the content of a work. These subject headings are essential for ensuring consistency and enabling users to locate materials based on topic or subject.

Types of Headings in LCSH

LCSH utilizes a variety of headings to classify materials. The most commonly used headings in LCSH include:

1. Main Headings (or Primary Headings):

The main subject term assigned to a work that represents its central theme or topic.

Example: For a book on the history of World War II, the main heading could be "World War, 1939-1945".

2. Geographic Headings:

Used to categorize works based on their geographical focus. These headings are typically assigned when the subject of the work pertains to a particular place, country, or region.

Example: "United States—History" or "Africa—History—Colonial period".

3. Personal Names:

Used for works written by or about an individual person. In bibliographic records, these headings are often used as part of the main entry or added entry.

Example: "Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616" (for works written by or about William Shakespeare).

4. Corporate Names:

These headings are assigned to works produced by or about a corporate body (such as a government agency, association, or company).

Example: "United Nations" or "American Library Association".

5. Topical Headings:

Used to describe specific subjects or topics within a work. This includes topics related to arts, science, philosophy, history, and many more.

Example: "Literature—History and criticism" or "Astronomy—History".

6. Title Headings:

These headings are used when a subject is defined by a specific title, particularly when the title itself is an established subject.

Example: "War and Peace (Tolstoy, Leo)" (for works related to the novel War and Peace).

7. Chronological Headings:

Used for works dealing with specific time periods or historical events.

Example: "Middle Ages" or "Renaissance".

8. Genre/Form Headings:

These headings describe the format or genre of the work, such as "Biography," "Fiction," "Poetry," etc.

Example: "Science fiction" or "Poetry—20th century".

9. Composite Headings:

These involve combinations of multiple headings to provide a more detailed description of the subject of a work.

Example: "United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Women" (for works focusing on the role of women during the Civil War).

10. Subject Subdivisions:

Used to further narrow or specify the subject heading. These subdivisions can relate to geographic regions, historical periods, or specific aspects of the topic.

Example: "Democracy—United States—History" or "Science—History—20th century".

Structure of LCSH Headings

LCSH headings are structured with various elements to maintain consistency and clarity. They may include:

1. Main Term: The primary subject or concept of the heading.

Example: "Science" or "Politics."

2. Subdivisions: Additional terms that narrow or specify the focus of the subject. These can include geographic, chronological, or topical subdivisions.

Example: "Science—History" or "Science—Philosophy."

3. See Also References: These indicate related or alternative subject headings. They guide the cataloger and user to relevant headings or direct them from one term to another.

Example: "See also" reference from "Science fiction" to "Science fiction—History and criticism."

4. Scope Notes: These provide additional instructions on how a heading should be used. Scope notes clarify when to use a specific heading and provide distinctions between similar or related terms.

Example: A scope note for "Science fiction" might say: "Use for works on the literary genre of science fiction. Works on the scientific aspect of future technologies should be cataloged under 'Science—Fiction.'"

Assigning Subject Headings Using LCSH

1. Analyze the Work:

Begin by thoroughly analyzing the content of the resource. Understand its primary subject, theme, and key concepts.

Example: If a book discusses the economic impact of climate change, the subject heading might include "Climate change—Economic aspects".

2. Identify the Relevant Headings:

Search for potential subject headings in the LCSH that match the content of the work. You can do this by using the Library of Congress Authorities website or reference works that contain the full LCSH list.

3. Select the Most Specific Heading:

Choose the most specific heading that best describes the subject of the work. It should represent the core theme or concept as accurately as possible.

Example: For a book about the French Revolution, "France—History—Revolution, 1789-1799" would be more specific than the broader heading "France—History".

4. Use Subdivisions to Narrow the Focus:

If the work addresses a specific aspect of the broader subject (e.g., the economic impact, a specific geographic region, or a time period), apply appropriate subdivisions.

Example: If a book focuses on the impact of the French Revolution on the economy, the heading could be "France—History—Revolution, 1789-1799—Economic aspects."

5. Check for Cross-References:

When unsure about the correct heading, check for cross-references such as "See also" and "See" references to ensure the correct term is being used.

For example, if you're cataloging a book on Shakespeare, the LCSH might suggest "Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616—Criticism and interpretation", and direct you to related terms via cross-references.

6. Apply Multiple Headings:

If necessary, apply more than one subject heading. This is especially useful for works that span multiple topics or disciplines.

Example: For a book about Shakespeare's influence on literature and his impact on theater, you might assign both "Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616—Criticism and interpretation" and "Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616—Stage history."

Example of LCSH Application

Let’s say you're cataloging a book titled "The Evolution of Modern Physics in the 20th Century."

1. Analyze the Work:

The work primarily discusses physics and its developments over the 20th century.

2. Identify the Relevant Headings:

The heading "Physics—History" is relevant.

3. Use Subdivisions:

Since the book focuses on the 20th century, the heading should include a subdivision for the time period: "Physics—History—20th century."

4. Final Assigned Subject Heading:

The final subject heading for the book could be: "Physics—History—20th century."

Conclusion

The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is a powerful and standardized system for subject cataloging that helps libraries organize materials based on their content. By using main headings, subdivisions, and cross-references, LCSH ensures consistency and enhances the efficiency of information retrieval in library catalogs. Catalogers must analyze the work, select appropriate headings, and apply them in a way that facilitates easy access for users searching for specific topics or subjects.