Library of Congress Subject Headings

Finding Library of Congress Subject Headings LCSH Databases Library Catalog Subject Search Library Catalog Keyword Search Tips for Selecting Subject Headings

Non fiction materials included in the HSU Library Catalog (and most other library catalogs) are indexed using Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). From 270,000 possible subject headings an average of 2-3 subjects are assigned to a typical work indexed in a library catalog. If more than 20% of a work is devoted to a subject, it will generally receive a unique subject heading. The advantage of searching with subject headings is that materials with a similar theme are brought together under one valid subject rather than you having to come up with relevant synonyms. LCSH includes over 490,000 cross references pointing to valid subjects.

Finding Library of Congress Subject Headings

You can use the following options to identify valid subject headings:

1. Search LCSH Databases

• Library of Congress Authorities (Library of Congress) To retrieve all information related to an subject heading click on the red button in front of the heading.
• Browsing LCSH (Universitätsbibliothek Braunschweig) Search by keyword or phrase; or browse by subject heading.

2. Library Catalog Subject Search

Enter a possible subject using the library catalog Subject search option. On the resulting screen you will see a list of subjects that come closest to what you entered. You may also see additional notes and referrals to other subjects as described below. See Drama as an example.

• See references to official subject headings
• See Also references to other closely related subjects
• See Also Under references to other groups of related subjects
• Narrower Terms for more specific subjects under which to search
• Notes containing additional search suggestions and heading definitions

3. Library Catalog Keyword Search

Enter keywords for your subject using either the Basic or Advanced search option. Review the search results and look at the full display of items that come closest to what you are looking for. The Subjects: field under each item lists the subject headings under which the item is cataloged. Search these directly by clicking on the link or redo your search incorporating them into your search strategy.

Tips for Selecting Subject Headings

• Be Specific --typically there is a hierarchy of broad and narrow subject headings associated with a subject in which you might be interested. Works are generally indexed under the most specific subjects that can be assigned. Selecting too broad of a subject may cause you to miss relevant works. See women as an example of how precise subject headings can be. Following are some additional examples:

Broad water temperature rocks, igneous algae ecology

Specific deep sea temperature ophiolites red algae freshwater ecology

• Use subdivisions as appropriate to focus your search--four categories of subdivisons can be used under most subjects. These subdivisions are described in the introduction to Library of Congress Subject Headings, starting on page xi.
• Topical--there are 28 basic subdivision patterns, e.g., women--employment. See the Table of Pattern Headings for the subjects that list the subdivisions that can be assigned to that subject pattern, e.g., for animals, you need to look under fishes or cattle to see the valid subheadings for all animal related subjects.
• Form--indicates the format in which material is organized, e.g., soils analysis--handbooks, manuals, etc. See Form Subdivisions (Princeton University) for an extensive list.
• Chronological--used to limit to a defined time period, e.g., art--chinese--to 221 B.C.
• Geographic--used to indicate a geographic emphasis, e.g., geology--california--humboldt county.
• Consult the Scientific Subject Headings research guide for tips in finding and selecting subject headings in the biological and earth sciences.