LIS 417: Subject Cataloging and Classification

• Library of Congress Subject Headings
  • history
  • principles
  • syntax
  • structure
  • MARC encoding
  • subdivisions
  • pattern headings
• Subject Headings Manual instructions
• Genre and form

Required Readings and Online Lectures

For Week 1: Introduction to Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and the Subject Headings Manual (SHM)

Joudrey, Intro. to Cat and Class, Chapters 12-13

LCSH Online Training: Before class, please watch all the modules in Units 2 & 3.

Explore LC's Subject Headings Manual on LC website

For Week 2: Introduction to Main Headings and the MARC Bibliographic and Authorities Formats for subjects

Joudrey, Intro. to Cat and Class, Chapter 21 

Refresh your knowledge of MARC:

• MARC overview by Joudrey
• LC MARC documentation: Familiarize yourself with the sites for the bibliographic and authority formats
• OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards: OCLC MARC documentation

LCSH Online Training: Before class, please watch Modules 4.1 to 4.5, 4.7-4.9, and 8.1.

For Week 3: Assigning Subject Headings; An Introduction to Subdivisions; Additional Vocabularies

LCSH Online Training: Before class, please watch all the modules in Unit 5 and Modules 6.1-6.5.

Skim: Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms for Library and Archival Materials (LCGFT) in ClassWeb  

Joudrey, Intro. to Cat and Class, Chapters 14-15

For Week 4: The Subdivisions Extravaganza

Skim: Kornegay, Buchanan, and Morgan, Magic Search

LCSH Online Training: Before class, please watch Modules 6.6-6.18

For Week 5: Putting It Together

LCSH Online Training: Before class, please watch all the modules in Unit 7

Over Spring Break please read:

Langridge, Classification: Its Kinds... 

Hunter, Classification Made Simple, Chapters 1-7

Recommended Readings

Chan, Library of Congress Subject Headings

Gross and Taylor, "What Have We Got to Lose"

Olson and Boll, Subject Analysis in Online Catalogs, Chapters 5-6

Marshall, "Specific and Generic Subject Headings"

Svenonius, "LCSH: Semantics, Syntax, and Specificity"

O'Neill, Chan, Childress, Dean, El-Hoshy, Visine-Goetz, "Form Subdivisions..."

Dean, "FAST: Development of Simplified Headings for Metadata" -- [Web site]

Fischer, "Critical Views of LCSH, 1990-2001: The Third Bibliographic Essay"

Online Tools and Resources To Explore and Know

Become familiar with the following online tools and resources:

• Classification Web: Use link in Moodle.

• LC Authorities: http://authorities.loc.gov/

• MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data: http://www.loc.gov/marc/bibliographic/

• MARC 21 Format for Authority Data: http://www.loc.gov/marc/authority/ecadhome.html

• LC Linked Data Services: http://id.loc.gov/

• LC's Cataloging and Acquisitions Homepage: http://www.loc.gov/aba/ Please browse through the various sections, including:
• LCSH Monthly Lists: http://www.loc.gov/aba/cataloging/subject/weeklylists/
• Library of Congress Subject Headings PDF Files: http://www.loc.gov/aba/publications/FreeLCSH/freelcsh.html
• Genre/Form Headings at the Library of Congress: General Information: http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/genreformgeneral.html

Activities

• Read and then read some more.

• Watch online lectures and complete the exercises at the end of each module.

• Submit questions and participate in discussions in the LCSH video discussion boards.

• Familiarize yourself with the tools and resources above.

• Work on exercises inside and outside of class.

• Learn to use ClassWeb. Work through the tutorial.

• Begin the LCSH assignments.