This document provides an overview of subject cataloging and a review of subject headings from Sears List of Subject Headings and Library of Congress Subject Headings. It defines key terms related to subject cataloging and outlines principles of subject cataloging such as using uniform headings and specific entries. Examples of subject headings from each source are also shown.

1. SUBJECT CATALOGING:SUBJECT CATALOGING:
A REVIEWA REVIEW

2. OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
 Refresh memory with the conceptsRefresh memory with the concepts
and principles of subject catalogingand principles of subject cataloging
 Refresh memory with the rules inRefresh memory with the rules in
using Sears List of Subject Headingsusing Sears List of Subject Headings
and Library of Congress Subjectand Library of Congress Subject
HeadingsHeadings
 Show examples of subject headingsShow examples of subject headings

3. OUTLINEOUTLINE
 Definition of TermsDefinition of Terms
 Concepts and Principles of SubjectConcepts and Principles of Subject
CatalogingCataloging
 Sears List of Subject HeadingsSears List of Subject Headings
 Library of Congress Subject HeadingsLibrary of Congress Subject Headings

4. DEFINITION OF TERMSDEFINITION OF TERMS
 Subject CatalogingSubject Cataloging
 Subject HeadingSubject Heading
 Subject ContentSubject Content
 Subject AnalysisSubject Analysis
 Subject CatalogSubject Catalog
 Subject Authority RecordSubject Authority Record
 Subject EntrySubject Entry

5. SUBJECT CATALOGINGSUBJECT CATALOGING
 The process of providing subjectThe process of providing subject
access points to bibliographicaccess points to bibliographic
records.records.
 The process of assigning subjectThe process of assigning subject
headings to materials beingheadings to materials being
cataloged.cataloged.

6. SUBJECT HEADINGSUBJECT HEADING
 The term (a word or a group ofThe term (a word or a group of
words) denoting a subject underwords) denoting a subject under
which all material on that subject iswhich all material on that subject is
entered in a catalog.entered in a catalog.
 An authorized heading in a standardAn authorized heading in a standard
list of subject headings.list of subject headings.

7. SUBJECT CONTENTSUBJECT CONTENT
 The theme or topic treated by theThe theme or topic treated by the
author in the work whether stated inauthor in the work whether stated in
the title or not.the title or not.
Examples:Examples:
– PhilosophyPhilosophy ((Introduction toIntroduction to
philosophyphilosophy))
– Classical literatureClassical literature ((Greek and RomanGreek and Roman
literature)literature)

8. SUBJECT ANALYSISSUBJECT ANALYSIS
 The process of identifying theThe process of identifying the
intellectual content of a work.intellectual content of a work.
 Process:Process:
– Read the workRead the work
– Identify subject content(s)Identify subject content(s)
– Determine phase relations of subjectsDetermine phase relations of subjects
– Represent subject content with subjectRepresent subject content with subject
heading(s)heading(s)

9. SUBJECT CATALOGSUBJECT CATALOG
 A catalog consisting of subjectA catalog consisting of subject
entries only.entries only.
 The subject portion of a dividedThe subject portion of a divided
catalog.catalog.

10. SUBJ ECT AUTHORITY RECORDSUBJ ECT AUTHORITY RECORD
 A record of a subject heading thatA record of a subject heading that
shows its established form, cites theshows its established form, cites the
authorities consulted in determiningauthorities consulted in determining
the choice and form of the heading,the choice and form of the heading,
and indicates the cross referencesand indicates the cross references
made to and from the heading.made to and from the heading.
 A collection of subject authorityA collection of subject authority
records is known as subject authorityrecords is known as subject authority
file.file.

11. SUBJECT ENTRYSUBJECT ENTRY
 An entry in a catalog or aAn entry in a catalog or a
bibliography under a heading whichbibliography under a heading which
indicates the subject of an item.indicates the subject of an item.
 The subject card in a card catalog isThe subject card in a card catalog is
an example of a subject entry.an example of a subject entry.

12. IMPORTANCE OF SUBJECTIMPORTANCE OF SUBJECT
CATALOGINGCATALOGING
 It helps in determining subjectIt helps in determining subject
content when the title of the workcontent when the title of the work
does not completely indicate whatdoes not completely indicate what
the material is all about.the material is all about.
 It provides access to all relevantIt provides access to all relevant
materials by subject.materials by subject.
 It brings together all references toIt brings together all references to
materials on the same subject.materials on the same subject.
 It shows subject fields affiliations.It shows subject fields affiliations.
 It provides a formal description ofIt provides a formal description of
subject content.subject content.

13. TYPES OF CATALOGS WITHTYPES OF CATALOGS WITH
SUBJECT ENTRIESSUBJECT ENTRIES
 Classed catalog – with hierarchical entriesClassed catalog – with hierarchical entries
 Alphabetical-specific catalog -containsAlphabetical-specific catalog -contains
specific subject headings arrangedspecific subject headings arranged
alphabeticallyalphabetically
 Dictionary catalog – entries are interfiledDictionary catalog – entries are interfiled
in one alphabetical orderin one alphabetical order
 Divided catalog – author, title, and subjectDivided catalog – author, title, and subject
entries are separately arranged inentries are separately arranged in
alphabetical sequencealphabetical sequence
 Online catalog – automated catalogOnline catalog – automated catalog

14. SUBJECT AUTHORITY FILESUBJECT AUTHORITY FILE
FUNCTIONSFUNCTIONS
 Serves as a source of controlledServes as a source of controlled
vocabulary and as a means forvocabulary and as a means for
verifying and validating headings.verifying and validating headings.
 Serves as the source for validationServes as the source for validation
and verification of cross references,and verification of cross references,
current status of headings, etc.current status of headings, etc.
 Shows user terminology and form ofShows user terminology and form of
subject access points and crosssubject access points and cross
references in the catalog.references in the catalog.

15. PRINCIPLESPRINCIPLES

16. USER and USAGEUSER and USAGE
 The user and their usual way ofThe user and their usual way of
looking or searching for informationlooking or searching for information
should be determined since these areshould be determined since these are
important in determining the termsimportant in determining the terms
and forms of subject headings to beand forms of subject headings to be
used.used.
Example:Example:
BirdsBirds instead ofinstead of OrnithologyOrnithology
(for a public library catalog)(for a public library catalog)

17. UNIFORM HEADINGSUNIFORM HEADINGS
 Each subject should be representedEach subject should be represented
in the catalog under only onein the catalog under only one
heading and under only one formheading and under only one form
and format.and format.
– Synonymous termsSynonymous terms
– Variant spellingsVariant spellings
– Foreign terms vs. local termsForeign terms vs. local terms
– Technical vs. popular termsTechnical vs. popular terms
– Obsolete vs. current termsObsolete vs. current terms

18. Choice Among SynonymousChoice Among Synonymous
TermsTerms
Adventure fictionAdventure fiction
UFUF Adventure and adventures –Adventure and adventures –
FictionFiction
Adventure storiesAdventure stories
Suspense novelsSuspense novels

19. Choice Among Variant SpellingsChoice Among Variant Spellings
AestheticsAesthetics
UFUF EstheticsEsthetics
ArcheologyArcheology
UFUF ArchaeologyArchaeology

20. Foreign Terms vs. Local TermsForeign Terms vs. Local Terms
 Dung-awDung-aw instead of Crying for theinstead of Crying for the
dead,dead, PinakbetPinakbet instead of Vegetableinstead of Vegetable
in tomato sauce,in tomato sauce, BagnetBagnet instead ofinstead of
Deep fried pork).Deep fried pork).
 There may be a list of subjectThere may be a list of subject
headings specific to a “country” e.g.headings specific to a “country” e.g.
Filipiniana subject headings list,Filipiniana subject headings list,
which may be used as a source.which may be used as a source.

21. Technical vs. Popular TermsTechnical vs. Popular Terms
CryogenicsCryogenics
USEUSE Cold temperaturesCold temperatures
GynecologyGynecology
USEUSE Women—Health and hygieneWomen—Health and hygiene

22. Obsolete vs. Current TermsObsolete vs. Current Terms
Computing machinesComputing machines
USEUSE ComputersComputers
BlacksBlacks
USEUSE African AmericanAfrican American

23. UNIQUE HEADINGSUNIQUE HEADINGS
 The same term should not be used inThe same term should not be used in
more than one sense.more than one sense.
Example:Example:
Cold (Disease) ; Cold (Temperature)Cold (Disease) ; Cold (Temperature)

24. SPECIFIC ENTRYSPECIFIC ENTRY
 Chose the most specific subjectChose the most specific subject
heading available.heading available.
Example:Example:
CatsCats instead ofinstead of AnimalsAnimals (if the book is(if the book is
about cats only)about cats only)

25. CROSS REFERENCESCROSS REFERENCES
 See or USE –See or USE – unauthorized to authorizedunauthorized to authorized
 See also – related headingsSee also – related headings
– BT – broader termBT – broader term
– NT – narrower termNT – narrower term
– RT – related termRT – related term
 General reference – covers an entireGeneral reference – covers an entire
category or class of headingscategory or class of headings

26. PHASE RELATIONSPHASE RELATIONS
 Influence phaseInfluence phase
ExEx.:.: Role of sociology in educationRole of sociology in education
 Bias PhaseBias Phase
Ex.: Biology for Philippine schoolsEx.: Biology for Philippine schools
 Tool or application phaseTool or application phase
Ex.: Use of mathematics in artEx.: Use of mathematics in art
 Comparison phaseComparison phase
Ex.: Asian literatureEx.: Asian literature

27. SEARS LIST OFSEARS LIST OF
SUBJECT HEADINGSSUBJECT HEADINGS

28. BRIEF INTRODUCTIONBRIEF INTRODUCTION
 Developed by Minnie Earl SearsDeveloped by Minnie Earl Sears
 First title :First title : List of Subject HeadingsList of Subject Headings
for Small Librariesfor Small Libraries
 Has patterns with LCSH withHas patterns with LCSH with
modifications appropriate for smallmodifications appropriate for small
librarieslibraries

29. TYPES OF MAIN HEADINGSTYPES OF MAIN HEADINGS
 TopicalTopical
 Place or geographicPlace or geographic
 FormForm
 NameName

30. FORM OF HEADINGSFORM OF HEADINGS
 Single noun headingsSingle noun headings
Ex.Ex.:: EssayEssay (abstract concept)(abstract concept)
EssaysEssays (Concrete concept)(Concrete concept)
 Compound headingsCompound headings
ExEx.:.: Satire and humorSatire and humor
 Adjectival headingsAdjectival headings
ExEx.:.: Higher educationHigher education
 Prepositional phrase headingsPrepositional phrase headings
ExEx.:.: Electricity in agricultureElectricity in agriculture
Freedom of speechFreedom of speech

31. SUBDIVISIONSSUBDIVISIONS
Types:Types:
– TopicalTopical
ExEx.:.: English language--GrammarEnglish language--Grammar
– Geographic/PlaceGeographic/Place
ExEx.:.: Flowers--AustraliaFlowers--Australia
– Chronological/PeriodChronological/Period
ExEx.:.: Philippines—History—1946-1971Philippines—History—1946-1971
– FormForm
ExEx.:.: Chemistry—DictionariesChemistry—Dictionaries
Order of Subdivisions:Order of Subdivisions:
Main Heading—Topical—Geographic—Chronological—FormMain Heading—Topical—Geographic—Chronological—Form

32. OMITTED SUBJECTOMITTED SUBJECT
HEADINGSHEADINGS
 Terms not included in the list but canTerms not included in the list but can
be supplied by the cataloger:be supplied by the cataloger:
- Proper names for persons, families,- Proper names for persons, families,
places, nationalities, nationalplaces, nationalities, national
languages and literatures, events,languages and literatures, events,
ethnic tribes and corporate bodiesethnic tribes and corporate bodies
- Common names of animals, plants,- Common names of animals, plants,
objects, activities, diseases, foods,objects, activities, diseases, foods,
chemicals, minerals, etc.chemicals, minerals, etc.

33. KEY HEADINGSKEY HEADINGS
 Authors -Authors -Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
 Ethnic Groups –Ethnic Groups – Native AmericansNative Americans
 Languages –Languages – English languageEnglish language
 Literature –Literature – English literatureEnglish literature
 Places –Places – United StatesUnited States
OhioOhio
Chicago (Ill.)Chicago (Ill.)
 Public figures –Public figures – Presidents—United StatesPresidents—United States
 Wars –Wars – World War, 1939-1945World War, 1939-1945

34. INDIVIDUAL BIOGRAPHYINDIVIDUAL BIOGRAPHY
 Heading is the name of biographeeHeading is the name of biographee
 Form takes on the rules fromForm takes on the rules from
AACR2RAACR2R
ExampleExample::
Obille, Kathleen Lourdes B., 1977-Obille, Kathleen Lourdes B., 1977-
 For materials containing significantFor materials containing significant
information in the field to which theyinformation in the field to which they
“belong” another subject heading on“belong” another subject heading on
the field or discipline may be added.the field or discipline may be added.

35. AUTOBIOGRAPHICALAUTOBIOGRAPHICAL
HEADINGSHEADINGS
 Subject heading to be assignedSubject heading to be assigned
should be similar with the authorshould be similar with the author
entry.entry.
ExampleExample::
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

36. COLLECTIVE BIOGRAPHYCOLLECTIVE BIOGRAPHY
 General biographyGeneral biography
ExEx.:.: BiographyBiography
Biography—DictionariesBiography—Dictionaries
 National biographyNational biography
ExEx.:.: Philippines—BiographyPhilippines—Biography
 Professional / Subject biographyProfessional / Subject biography
ExEx.:.: ChemistsChemists;; LibrariansLibrarians;; Women--Women--
BiographyBiography;; Baseball--Baseball--
BiographyBiography

37. WORK ABOUT BIOGRAPHYWORK ABOUT BIOGRAPHY
 When the material discusses how toWhen the material discusses how to
write biographies, assign the subjectwrite biographies, assign the subject
headingheading
Biography (as a literary form)Biography (as a literary form)

38. WORK ABOUT LITERATUREWORK ABOUT LITERATURE
 Where literature is the subject, thisWhere literature is the subject, this
is treated like other works withis treated like other works with
subject headings representing thesubject headings representing the
scope of the works.scope of the works.
ExamplesExamples:: Literature; Drama;Literature; Drama;
German drama—History andGerman drama—History and
criticismcriticism

39. LITERARY WORKSLITERARY WORKS
 For an individual literary work, no formFor an individual literary work, no form
heading is assigned.heading is assigned.
 For collections of works of more than oneFor collections of works of more than one
author, a literary form heading isauthor, a literary form heading is
assigned.assigned.
ExamplesExamples:: Essays; American drama--Essays; American drama--
CollectionsCollections
 For works about literature, assign subjectFor works about literature, assign subject
headings representing the content andheadings representing the content and
scope of the materials.scope of the materials.
ExampleExample:: American literature; DramaAmerican literature; Drama

40. LIBRARY OF CONGRESSLIBRARY OF CONGRESS
SUBJECT HEADINGSSUBJECT HEADINGS

41. BRIEF INTRODUCTIONBRIEF INTRODUCTION
 Originally developed by the Library ofOriginally developed by the Library of
Congress for use on its catalogingCongress for use on its cataloging
recordsrecords
 First published in 1914First published in 1914
 Omitted headingsOmitted headings
– Name headingsName headings
– Headings with free floating subdivisionsHeadings with free floating subdivisions
– Headings with free floating phrasesHeadings with free floating phrases

42. TYPES OF MAIN HEADINGSTYPES OF MAIN HEADINGS
 TopicalTopical
 FormForm
 Headings for named entitiesHeadings for named entities

43. SYNTAX OF MAIN HEADINGSSYNTAX OF MAIN HEADINGS
 Single noun headingsSingle noun headings
 Adjectival phrase headingsAdjectival phrase headings
 Conjunctive phrase headingsConjunctive phrase headings
 Prepositional phrase headingsPrepositional phrase headings
 Inverted phrase headingsInverted phrase headings
 Free floating phrase headingsFree floating phrase headings
 QualifiersQualifiers

44. HEADINGS FOR NAMEDHEADINGS FOR NAMED
ENTITIESENTITIES
 Personal namesPersonal names
 Corporate namesCorporate names
 Geographic namesGeographic names
– JurisdictionalJurisdictional
– Non-jurisdictionalNon-jurisdictional

45. Personal NamesPersonal Names
Follow AACR2R rules as regards format.Follow AACR2R rules as regards format.
 PersonPerson
ExEx.:.: Defoe, Daniel, 1661-1771Defoe, Daniel, 1661-1771
 FamiliesFamilies
ExEx.:.: Aquino familyAquino family
 Gods/goddessesGods/goddesses
 ExEx.:.: Zeus (Greek deity)Zeus (Greek deity)
 Legendary characterLegendary character
ExEx.:.: Merlin (Legendary character)Merlin (Legendary character)

46. Corporate namesCorporate names
 Follow AACR2R format of headingsFollow AACR2R format of headings
for corporate bodies.for corporate bodies.
 If used as main entry, its form ofIf used as main entry, its form of
heading should be similar with theheading should be similar with the
subject entry.subject entry.
ExEx.:.: Chinese Medical AssociationChinese Medical Association

47. Jurisdictional GeographicJurisdictional Geographic
NamesNames
 Established according to AACR2REstablished according to AACR2R
ExamplesExamples:: PhilippinesPhilippines
Vigan (Ilocos Sur,Vigan (Ilocos Sur,
Philippines)Philippines)
Chicago (Ill.)Chicago (Ill.)
 Regardless of the changes inRegardless of the changes in
geographic jurisdictions, the currentgeographic jurisdictions, the current
name of the place should be used.name of the place should be used.

48. Non-jurisdictional GeographicNon-jurisdictional Geographic
NamesNames
 Names of natural geographicNames of natural geographic
features that may be used as subjectfeatures that may be used as subject
entries but not used as main entries.entries but not used as main entries.
ExamplesExamples:: Amazon RiverAmazon River
Ohio River ValleyOhio River Valley

49. Generic QualifiersGeneric Qualifiers
 Added to the non-jurisdictional nameAdded to the non-jurisdictional name
when there is a need to distinguishwhen there is a need to distinguish
between headings and/or cross-between headings and/or cross-
references that have the same namereferences that have the same name
and geographic qualifier.and geographic qualifier.
Ex.: Big Bear Lake (Calif. : City)Ex.: Big Bear Lake (Calif. : City)
Big Bear Lake (Calif. : Lake)Big Bear Lake (Calif. : Lake)

50.  The inverted form is used when the nameThe inverted form is used when the name
of the natural geographic feature consistsof the natural geographic feature consists
of a specific and a generic term, and theof a specific and a generic term, and the
generic term precedes the specific term.generic term precedes the specific term.
ExamplesExamples::
Fuji, Mount (Japan)Fuji, Mount (Japan)
specific genericspecific generic
ButBut Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains
(specific) (generic)(specific) (generic)
ENTRY ELEMENTENTRY ELEMENT
(for Geographic headings)(for Geographic headings)

51. SUBDIVISIONSSUBDIVISIONS
 TopicalTopical
 GeographicGeographic
 ChronologicalChronological
 FormForm
 Free floating (form or topical)Free floating (form or topical)

52. Free Floating SubdivisionsFree Floating Subdivisions
 Free floating subdivisions of general applicationFree floating subdivisions of general application
ExEx.. MathematicsMathematics––Study and teachingStudy and teaching
 Free floating subdivisions under specific types ofFree floating subdivisions under specific types of
headingsheadings
ExEx.. Actors—Political activityActors—Political activity
 Free floating subdivisions indicated by “multiples”Free floating subdivisions indicated by “multiples”
ExEx.. Birth control—Religious aspects—Birth control—Religious aspects—
Buddhism [Christianity, etc.]Buddhism [Christianity, etc.]
 Free floating subdivisions controlled by patternFree floating subdivisions controlled by pattern
headingsheadings

53. Examples of Pattern HeadingsExamples of Pattern Headings
Languages andLanguages and
groups ofgroups of
languageslanguages
English languageEnglish language
--Pronoun--Pronoun
IndividualIndividual
literary authorsliterary authors
Shakespeare, William,Shakespeare, William,
1564-16161564-1616
Literary worksLiterary works
entered underentered under
authorauthor
Shakespeare, William,Shakespeare, William,
1564-1616. Hamlet1564-1616. Hamlet

54. Geographic SubdivisionsGeographic Subdivisions
 Direct (country follows heading)Direct (country follows heading)
Ex.Ex. Music—SpainMusic—Spain
Education—Finance—JapanEducation—Finance—Japan
 Indirect (country interposed between mainIndirect (country interposed between main
heading and local place)heading and local place)
Ex.Ex. Charities—France--ParisCharities—France--Paris
 Exceptions (to be entered directly)Exceptions (to be entered directly)
– CanadaCanada ProvincesProvinces
– United StatesUnited States StatesStates
– Great BritainGreat Britain Constituent CountriesConstituent Countries

55. LITERARY WORKSLITERARY WORKS
 Works about literature in generalWorks about literature in general
Ex.Ex. Literature—History and criticismLiterature—History and criticism
 Anthologies by more than one authorAnthologies by more than one author
Ex.Ex. Literature—CollectionsLiterature—Collections
 Individual Works by one authorIndividual Works by one author
No literary form headings are assigned.No literary form headings are assigned.
Works about individual authors andWorks about individual authors and
worksworks
Ex.Ex. Shakespeare, William--BiographyShakespeare, William--Biography
Beard, Henry N. Bored of the RingsBeard, Henry N. Bored of the Rings

56. BIOGRAPHYBIOGRAPHY
 For individual biographies, the subjectFor individual biographies, the subject
heading is the name of the biographeeheading is the name of the biographee
following the AACR2R format.following the AACR2R format.
Ex.Ex. Twain, Mark, 1835-1910—BiographyTwain, Mark, 1835-1910—Biography
 For collection of biographies use theFor collection of biographies use the
following examples:following examples:
Biography; Biography—Dictionaries;Biography; Biography—Dictionaries;
Philosophers—Biography;Philosophers—Biography;
Art—Biography; Italy--BiographyArt—Biography; Italy--Biography

57. CHILDREN’S MATERIALSCHILDREN’S MATERIALS
 Regular headings implying juvenile natureRegular headings implying juvenile nature
or with juvenile subdivisionsor with juvenile subdivisions
ExamplesExamples:: Family--Juvenile dramaFamily--Juvenile drama
Children’s playsChildren’s plays
 Alternative headings for children’sAlternative headings for children’s
materials (regular subject headingsmaterials (regular subject headings
without juvenile subdivisions)without juvenile subdivisions)
– Headings are enclosed in bracketsHeadings are enclosed in brackets
Example:Example: [Horsemanship—Fiction][Horsemanship—Fiction]

58. For queries: emailFor queries: email
imeamor.mortel@unc.edu.phimeamor.mortel@unc.edu.ph