LCSH Basics
What does LCSH stand for?
Library of Congress Subject Headings
A book is about cats. Which is more appropriate?
A. Cats
B. Kitty Animals
C. Domestic Cats
D. Felines
Cats
A book is titled My Life in Libraries. Should “Libraries” automatically be assigned as the subject?
No. The cataloguer must examine the content.
What does a subdivision allow a cataloguer to do?
Further specify or narrow a subject.
A student assigns 650 #0 $a Library stuff. What is wrong?
“Library stuff” is not an established LCSH heading.
What is the main purpose of LCSH in a library catalogue?
To provide standardized subject access to resources.
A book discusses libraries specifically in Brunei. What type of geographic subdivision might be considered?
A geographic subdivision, where an appropriate established heading/subdivision permits it.
A book is about “The Use of TikTok for Library Marketing.” Identify the major subject concepts you would investigate in LCSH.
TikTok/social media + libraries/library marketing/marketing, using authorized headings and appropriate relationships.
What type of subdivision indicates a geographic aspect of a subject?
Geographic subdivision.
A student uses the author's personal opinion as the subject heading. Is this correct?
No. Subject headings represent the subject/content of the resource.
True or False: A cataloguer can create any subject heading they want.
False
A book discusses the history of computers. Which concept should guide your subject selection?
The actual subject/content of the resource, not simply the title.
A book contains information about cataloguing books using MARC 21. Name one possible subject concept.
MARC formats / cataloging of books or the appropriate established LCSH terms
What type of subdivision indicates a time period?
Chronological subdivision.
A student enters five random keywords into a 650 field. What is the problem?
LCSH uses controlled vocabulary and authorized headings.
Which is more important when assigning an LCSH: the author's exact wording or the established subject heading?
The established LCSH.
A book titled How to Become a Great Gamer discusses competitive video games. Should you automatically assign “Gaming”?
No. Examine the content and select established headings that accurately represent the subject.
A book discusses online information searching techniques for students. What should you investigate before assigning a subject?
The established LCSH heading(s) representing information retrieval/searching and the intended context
What type of subdivision is used to indicate a particular aspect or treatment of a subject, such as history or education?
Topical subdivision.
A student finds “Information Technology” on a website and assumes it is automatically the correct LCSH. What should they do?
Verify the authorized form in the appropriate LCSH authority source.
What is the main benefit of using controlled vocabulary such as LCSH?
It provides consistency and improves information retrieval.
A resource discusses the environmental impact of discarded electronic devices. What subject concept should you investigate in LCSH?
Electronic waste / the appropriate established LCSH heading for electronic waste.
Why shouldn't a cataloguer simply copy keywords from the title into the 650 field?
Because 650 should use controlled, authorized subject headings, not arbitrary keywords.
A resource is about the history of public libraries in Malaysia. What two aspects might need to be represented in the subject string?
Public libraries + appropriate topical/chronological/geographic subdivision(s), depending on the authorized LCSH form.
A student assigns a heading because it appears in the book title, even though the book is actually about a completely different topic. What cataloguing principle have they violated?
Subject headings should be based on the content and aboutness of the resource, not merely the title.