Module Overview
- 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)
LCSH Online Training: Before class, please watch Units 2–3
Joudrey, Intro. to Cat and Class, Chapters 12–13
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
LCSH Online Training: Before class, please watch Modules 4.1–4.9, 4.12 and 8.1.
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
For Week 3: Assigning Subject Headings; An Introduction to Subdivisions; Additional Vocabularies
LCSH Online Training: Before class, please watch Modules 6.1–6.10
Joudrey, Intro. to Cat and Class, Chapters 14–15
Skim: Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms for Library and Archival Materials (LCGFT) in ClassWeb
For Week 4: The Subdivisions Extravaganza
LCSH Online Training: Before class, please watch Modules 6.11–6.18
Library of Congress. “Library of Congress to Expand Use of LC Genre/Form Terms (LCGFT) and Implement Subject Heading Cataloging Simplification.”
Library of Congress. “FAQ on Omission of $v Subfield in LCSH and Expanded Use of LCGFT.”
Cooey and Philipps, "Library of Congress Subject Headings: A Post-Coordinated Future"
Skim: Kornegay, Buchanan, and Morgan, Magic Search
Over Spring Break please read:
Langridge, Classification: Its Kinds...
Hunter, Classification Made Simple, Chapters 1–7
For Week 5: Putting It Together
LCSH Online Training: Before class, please watch Module 5.4 and Unit 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
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.
- Participate in discussions of the LCSH videos.
- 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.