Essential Library of Congress Subject Headings

Citation

Tarulli, L. (2013), "Essential Library of Congress Subject Headings", Library Review, Vol. 62 No. 1/2, pp. 89-90. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242531311328249

Subject analysis and its application to objects for physical and digital retrieval is an essential practice for information specialists. In a growing online environment where users expect that keyword searches will retrieve results with the same efficiency as category lists and drop‐down menus, Essential Library of Congress Subject Headings offers an introduction to the most widely used controlled vocabulary in the world. Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is an alphabetized, controlled vocabulary created and maintained by the Library of Congress that allows subject experts, and in particular, cataloguers, to assign appropriate subject headings to bibliographic records in an effort to maintain standardization in description and ease of retrieval from library to library.

What is interesting about this publication is its simplicity on a topic that can, at times, be anything but simplistic. Using plain language, Broughton sets out to explain LCSH with a view introducing the background of its creation, structure, functions and applications within cataloguing to students and novices. In particular, with its relative newness in application to academic libraries in the UK, Broughton indicates that Essential Library of Congress Subject Headings is “based very much on the content of the cataloguing and classification module the MA in Library and Information Studies at University College London” (Broughton, Preface).

At first glance, experienced cataloguers might question the brief chapters, amount of information in the publication, and the scope of the material covered, and whether it is sufficient to address the range of aspects dealt with in the book. For example, while there are 20 chapters (which includes the Glossary), the average length of a chapter is 7‐12 pages, with some as short as 5 pages and others, such as “The choice and form of headings”, reaching 19 pages. However, upon reading the text, it is apparent that this work is an excellent, concise introduction to LCSH, its structure, and application.

With Broughton's admission that this indeed an introductory work and not a comprehensive text, it fulfills its purpose. While not delving too deeply into topics such as geographic subdivisions, the theory and core elements of LCSH are presented in a clear, detailed manner which provides an excellent foundation for a beginner. For a student or novice cataloguer, it provides a breadth and scope that range in topics from history and principles of LCSH, to formatting and display, content analysis, discussion and usage of a variety of subdivisions and navigating LCSH in an online world. In fact, educators of cataloguing would find this text useful as a reference when preparing introductory courses in LCSH as it simplifies the topic and provides a reminder of its essential elements and functions. Reference librarians may also find it useful as it provides an overview of this complex, but essential, aspect of library catalogues.

With clear examples, easy to read text and enough white space in the margins to allow for note taking and comments, Essential Library of Congress Subject Headings is a welcome addition to the libraries of students, novice cataloguers and educators.