Using Subject Authority Tools

Subject headings are determined by:
1) Table of Contents
2) Index
3) Reading or viewing the item
4) Consulting an expert in that subject area

The choice of subject headings takes these factors into consideration:
1)  Reader as the focus
2)  Unity of topic regardless of the format of the item
3)  Common usage
4)  Specificity - being as specific as possible

Scope Notes explain how a term is defined.  Free-floating subdivisions also have explanations.  Examples are shown in the left column for both Sears (1st two images) and LCSH (3rd & 4th images).

Notice: the use of USE, UF, BT, SA, NT, RT in both these tools. These are explained in your text on pages 64-65 and also in the glossary.

Headings listed in bold print are "good" and can be used.  LC Authorities online is also a free source of LCSH.

LCSH & Sears Similiarities
1) Both LCSH and Sears give approximate classification numbers that may be appropriate
2) Heirarchical structures
3) Alphabetical lists

LCSH & Sears Difference
1) LCSH also gives further hints about which subdivisions may be used
2) LCSH is much more detailed than Sears in both headings as well as subdivisions
3) LCSH prefers scientific, formal terms/names
4) Sears uses direct geographic subdivisions, i.e Tucson (Ariz.) and LCSH uses indirect - Arizona--Tucson
4) Sears uses direct subject headings, i.e. Elementary education and LCSH uses indirect, i.e. Education, elementary

The information goes in a MARC record as follows: (list of most frequently used)
600 - Subject Added Entry - personal name
610 - Subject Added Entry - corporate name
611 - Subject Added Entry - meeting name
630 - Subject Added Entry - uniform title
650 - Subject Added Entry - topical term
651 - Subject Added Entry - geographic name
658 - Index Term - curriculum objective

The 2nd indicator for the MARC tag will also show the source of the subject term such as
650 _  0 indicating Library of Congress authority for a topical term
650 _ 8  indicating Sears Subject Headings
650 _ 2  indicating medical subject heading

To help find material, more specific subdivisions of the headings is possible:
1) topical
2) geographical
3) chronological
4) physical form
The list also indicates the standard order if more than one subdivision is used.

To help catalogers (and save space in printed sources), there are free-floating subdivisions which can be applied to most headings and are listed at the front of the source and also "pattern headings" which show how to apply subdivisions to a certain type of heading.

In a catalog card, double dashes -- are used to separate subdivisions in a heading.  In MARC records, various subfields are used: See 5th image for example.
[v] form subdivisions
[x] general subdivisions
[y] chronological subdivisions
[z] geographical subdivisions

Examples of MARC and catalog cards using subject headings are in the left column - last 3 images. Sometimes one title might require 2 cards or more for an entry - if there is a lot of data and it won't fit on one card.  Here is an example for data requiring 2nd card.

Assignment: Go to Library Training Database.  Look up these three titles listed below.  Go to the Cataloging Module and select the MARC record.  Explain every heading in 6xx fields including MARC tag, indiators, delimiters and type of subdivision.  Use the OCLC Bibliographic Format site. Also create ONE card set for each title.
Practice Assignment:  Go to cataloging module and select the MARC record for the title  Dakota twilight by Edward Milligan.  Explain the 6xx fields and create an entire card set - see directions above.  After receiving instructor's response, continue with Graded Assignment:
1) The Civil War in the western territories : Arizona, Coloardo, New Mexico and Utah.
2) Fighting poverty in the US and Europe : a world of difference.
3) Kitten's first full moon.
Put the explanation in a Word document and upload in Submit Assignments.  Upload the card sets or send as attachments in e-mail.