Page 83 - DLIS103_LIBRARY_CLASSIFICATION_AND_CATALOGUING_THEORY

Library Classification and Cataloguing Theory Jovita Kaur, Lovely Professional University

Notes Unit 13: Subject Cataloguing

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
13.1 Subject Cataloguing
13.2 Sears List of Subject Headings
13.3 Subject Cataloguing Concepts, Purpose and Problems
13.4 Chain Indexing- Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)
13.4.1 LCSH Policy Issues
13.4.2 Data Access
13.4.3 Using LCSH
13.5 Summary
13.6 Keywords
13.7 Review Questions
13.8 Further Readings

Objectives
After studying this unit, you will be able to:
Explain the concept of Subject cataloguing and its purpose
Discuss Sears list of subject headings
Elaborate the meaning of Library of Congress Subject Headings, thoroughly.

Introduction

Subject cataloguing, is intended to embrace only that cataloguing activity which provides a verbal
subject approach to materials added to library collections. It does not include classification, for
that aspect of the cataloguing process is discussed elsewhere. This restriction contrasts with the
common use of the term to denote the organizational unit which, in many libraries, both classifies
books and establishes subject headings for them. The justification for the limitation is in part
practical, since there is need for a term less awkward than “the assignment of subject headings.” It
is logical in that “subject cataloguing,” as here used, refers to the determination and assignment of
suitable entries for use in the subject component of a library's catalogue.

13.1 Subject Cataloguing

Seymour Taine has observed that there are three themes running through the literature relating to
subject headings.

They are:
1. The assertion that subject headings should be designed to meet the specific requirements of
a given bibliographical function,
2. The principle that subject headings should be as specific as possible, and
3. The argument that subject catalogues, subject heading lists, and subject indexes should not
attempt to be all things to all men. The rest of the literature, he says, is largely devoted to
discussions of detail whether headings should be singular or plural in form, directly
specific or indirectly so and how subject headings have been misused.

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