Monday MorningIntroduction to LCSHAboutnessDirect and specific entryInterindexer Consistency

Instructor: Heidi Lee HoermanInstructor: Heidi Lee HoermanEmail:Email: hoerman@sc.eduhoerman@sc.eduPhone:Phone: (803) 777-0285(803) 777-0285http://www.libsci.sc.edu/hoerman/basepage.htmhttp://www.libsci.sc.edu/hoerman/basepage.htm

LCSHThe Library of Congress The Library of Congress

Subject Headings are the most Subject Headings are the most widely used and widely widely used and widely

adapted subject headings adapted subject headings system in the worldsystem in the world

Information RetrievalInformation Retrieval

Document

Catalog

User The catalog The catalog links the user links the user with the with the information.information.

Subject AccessSubject Access

1. To find an item of which the 1. To find an item of which the subject is known.subject is known.

2. To find what a library has on a 2. To find what a library has on a given subject.given subject.

Subject AnalysisSubject Analysis

Determining the “aboutness” of a Determining the “aboutness” of a documentdocument

Independent of systems of Independent of systems of representationrepresentation Subject headings / DescriptorsSubject headings / Descriptors Call numbers / ClassificationCall numbers / Classification

If a document is about If a document is about catscats, it is about , it is about cats no matter if you then apply MeSH, cats no matter if you then apply MeSH,

LCSH, Dewey, LC classification, ...LCSH, Dewey, LC classification, ...

The document is still about cats.The document is still about cats.

Specific Entry

Subject entries are chosen to index: only what is in the document only at the level of specificity of the

document

If a document is about cats, it is indexed If a document is about cats, it is indexed under cats, not mammals or zoology.under cats, not mammals or zoology.

If you search a catalog under If you search a catalog under mammals, you will not find the mammals, you will not find the

books on cats.books on cats.

Choose the specific entry:

Psychology ?Psychology ? Psychological tests ?Psychological tests ? Rorschach test ?Rorschach test ?

The The Rorschach Rorschach

TestTest

By John SmithBy John Smith

New York - PsychTest Press - 1999New York - PsychTest Press - 1999

Subject Headings

Verbal representation of the subject content of Verbal representation of the subject content of a worka work

LCSH is a Controlled VocabularyLCSH is a Controlled Vocabulary Controlled VocabularyControlled Vocabulary

A list of terms usedA list of terms used Relationships between terms indicatedRelationships between terms indicated May be presented in the form of a May be presented in the form of a thesaurusthesaurus

Subjects headings can be ... PeoplePeople

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. PlacesPlaces

United StatesUnited States Columbia (S.C.)Columbia (S.C.)

ThingsThings DogsDogs FaithFaith

Subjects headings can be ... NounsNouns

GeographyGeography Adjectival phrase (some inverted)Adjectival phrase (some inverted)

Genetic engineeringGenetic engineering Frogs, EdibleFrogs, Edible

Others Others Dogs in the performing arts Dogs in the performing arts Aged, Killing of the, In literatureAged, Killing of the, In literature

Subjects headings can be ...

Conjoined termsConjoined terms Television and childrenTelevision and children Emigration and immigrationEmigration and immigration

Qualified termsQualified terms Bridge (Game)Bridge (Game)

Proper nounsProper nouns Agege Motor Road (Nigeria)Agege Motor Road (Nigeria)

Subjects headings can be ...

Popular namesPopular names Atlantic bottlenosed dolphinAtlantic bottlenosed dolphin USED FOR: Tursiops truncatusUSED FOR: Tursiops truncatus

Scientific namesScientific names Stenella plagiodonStenella plagiodon USED FOR: Atlantic spotted dolphinUSED FOR: Atlantic spotted dolphin

Controlled Vocabularies Authority list of index termsAuthority list of index terms Controls for synonymsControls for synonyms

by choosing one form to useby choosing one form to use e.g. e.g. automobilesautomobiles not cars not cars

Distinguishes homographsDistinguishes homographs e.g. e.g. TurkeyTurkey, the country,, the country, vs vs Turkey (Bird)Turkey (Bird)

Controlled Vocabularies Establishes relationships among termsEstablishes relationships among terms

relates terms to one another, e.g. narrower and relates terms to one another, e.g. narrower and broader terms, related terms, e.g. broader terms, related terms, e.g.

BerriesBerriesBroader Term: Broader Term: FruitFruitNarrower Term: Narrower Term: BlueberriesBlueberries

Syndetic/Relationship Structures

Conceptual structure Conceptual structure A structural system of A structural system of

conceptsconcepts Hierarchical and Hierarchical and

associative relationships associative relationships between the concepts between the concepts indicatedindicated

PetsPetsBroader term: Broader term:

Animal CultureAnimal CultureNarrower term:Narrower term:

Earthworms as Earthworms as petspets

Syndetic/Relationship Structures

Terminological Terminological controlcontrol Brings together Brings together

synonymous terms synonymous terms for the same for the same conceptconcept

PetsPetsUsed for:Used for:

Companion AnimalsCompanion Animals________________________________________________Companion AnimalsCompanion Animals

Use:Use: PetsPets

Controlled vocabulary

Form of term used as an index headingForm of term used as an index heading Unused formsUnused forms Scope notesScope notes Broader termsBroader terms Narrower termsNarrower terms Related termsRelated terms

Dairying Dairying [Heading][Heading] Unused forms:Unused forms: Dairies; Dairy farming Dairies; Dairy farming Use for materials on the production and marketing of Use for materials on the production and marketing of

milk, usually cows’ milk and its products and for general milk, usually cows’ milk and its products and for general materials on the care of dairy cattle, their breeding, materials on the care of dairy cattle, their breeding, feeding, management, and milking.feeding, management, and milking.[Scope Note][Scope Note]

Narrower termsNarrower terms: Milk; Dairy cattle: Milk; Dairy cattle Broader termsBroader terms: Agriculture; Home economics; Livestock: Agriculture; Home economics; Livestock Related termsRelated terms: Cattle, Dairy products: Cattle, Dairy products

In the public access catalog you will find ... Dairies Dairies seesee DairyingDairying Dairy farming Dairy farming seesee DairyingDairying DairyingDairying

item 1item 1 item 2item 2 item ...item ...

In the public access catalog you will find ... Dairies Dairies seesee DairyingDairying Dairy cattleDairy cattle

items specifically about items specifically about dairy cattledairy cattle see also broader term see also broader term DairyingDairying

Dairy farming Dairy farming seesee DairyingDairying DairyingDairying

[used for Dairies and Dairy farming][used for Dairies and Dairy farming] items about items about dairyingdairying in general in general see also narrower term see also narrower term Dairy CattleDairy Cattle

DairyingItem 1Item 2Item 3

Broader toNarrower

Dairy CattleItem 4Item 5

Narrowerto Broader

Dairy Farming

Dairies

CattleItem 6Item 7

http://www.si.edu/organiza/museums/ripley/eap/rt/load-index.html

Specific Entry

Subject entries Subject entries only what is in the documentonly what is in the document only at the level of specificity of the only at the level of specificity of the

documentdocument

If a document is about cats, it is indexed If a document is about cats, it is indexed under under catscats, not zoology., not zoology.

If you search a catalog under If you search a catalog under zoologyzoology, you will not find the , you will not find the

books on cats.books on cats.

If a document is about If a document is about zoologyzoology, it is , it is indexed under indexed under zoologyzoology, not birds, cats, , not birds, cats,

fish, insects ...fish, insects ...If you search a catalog under If you search a catalog under zoologyzoology, you will find the books , you will find the books 1. that are about zoology in 1. that are about zoology in general or several aspects of general or several aspects of zoologyzoology2. that may include information 2. that may include information on birds, cats, fish, insects.on birds, cats, fish, insects.

Item Item AA is about is about dairy cattledairy cattle.. Item Item BB++ is about is about dairyingdairying in general but has in general but has

a long chapter about dairy cattlea long chapter about dairy cattle Both Both AA and and BB++ might be useful to someone might be useful to someone

interested in dairy cattleinterested in dairy cattle AA is listed ONLY under is listed ONLY under dairy cattledairy cattle.. BB++ is listed ONLY under is listed ONLY under dairyingdairying..

In the public access catalog you will find ... Dairies Dairies seesee DairyingDairying Dairy cattleDairy cattle

AA see also broader term see also broader term DairyingDairying

Dairy farming Dairy farming seesee DairyingDairying DairyingDairying

BB++ see also narrower term see also narrower term Dairy CattleDairy Cattle

Controlled vocabularies in OPACS can show: Form of term used as an index heading Unused forms Scope notes Broader terms Narrower terms Related terms

Leading the searcher to the best Leading the searcher to the best items for the information needitems for the information need

DairyingItem 1Item 2Item 3

Broader toNarrower

Dairy CattleItem 4Item 5

Narrowerto Broader

Dairy Farming

Dairies

CattleItem 6Item 7

http://www.si.edu/organiza/museums/ripley/eap/rt/load-index.html

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) Controlled vocabularyControlled vocabulary Subject heading terms and stringsSubject heading terms and strings Quasi-thesaurus structureQuasi-thesaurus structure Based on literary warrantBased on literary warrant Like Topsy, “Jes’ grew”Like Topsy, “Jes’ grew” But under a strict set of ever changing rulesBut under a strict set of ever changing rules 100 years old, compatible through time100 years old, compatible through time

Basic Principles of LCSH

User & Usage basedUser & Usage based Literary WarrantLiterary Warrant Uniform HeadingsUniform Headings

Synonymous termsSynonymous terms Spelling variantsSpelling variants English vs Foreign language termsEnglish vs Foreign language terms Scientific/Technical vs Popular termsScientific/Technical vs Popular terms CurrentnessCurrentness

LCSH Principles (cont.)

Unique headingsUnique headings Specific entry & Co-extensivitySpecific entry & Co-extensivity

Direct & Specific EntryDirect & Specific Entry Specificity and literary warrantSpecificity and literary warrant Specificity and usageSpecificity and usage

LCSH Principles (cont.)

Internal consistencyInternal consistency StabilityStability Precoordination & PostcoordinationPrecoordination & Postcoordination

PrecoordinationPrecoordination EnumerationEnumeration SynthesisSynthesis

PostcoordinationPostcoordination

Forms of LCSH Headings Single concept headingsSingle concept headings

Single word headingsSingle word headings Multiple-word headingsMultiple-word headings

Adjectival phrase headings (direct or inverted)Adjectival phrase headings (direct or inverted) Prepositional phrase headings ( “ “ “ )Prepositional phrase headings ( “ “ “ )

Multiple concept headingsMultiple concept headings Compound phrasesCompound phrases Prepositional phrases (direct or inverted)Prepositional phrases (direct or inverted) Headings with subdivisionsHeadings with subdivisions

Single Concept Single Concept HeadingsHeadings

Single wordSingle wordChemistryChemistry

Multiple wordMultiple wordWorking classWorking classChemistry, OrganicChemistry, OrganicBalance of PowerBalance of PowerDerby, Earls ofDerby, Earls of

Multiple Concept HeadingsMultiple Concept Headings Compound phrasesCompound phrases

Children and televisionChildren and television Prepositional phrasesPrepositional phrases

Information theory in Information theory in biologybiology

Headings with Headings with subdivisionssubdivisionsGeography--Network Geography--Network

analysisanalysis

LCSH Headings can be Personal namesPersonal names

individualsindividuals families, dynasties, etc.families, dynasties, etc. mythological, legendary or mythological, legendary or

fictious charactersfictious characters Corporate bodiesCorporate bodies Historical eventsHistorical events Names of animalsNames of animals Other proper namesOther proper names LanguagesLanguages Ideas, events, characteristicsIdeas, events, characteristics

Prizes, awards, etc.Prizes, awards, etc. Holidays, days of the week, etc.Holidays, days of the week, etc. Ethnic groups, tribes Ethnic groups, tribes

nationalities, etc.nationalities, etc. Religions, philosophical Religions, philosophical

systemssystems Geographic namesGeographic names

jurisdictional headingsjurisdictional headings geographic featuresgeographic features

You name it -- it can be You name it -- it can be a subject heading!a subject heading!

Sample LCSH Headings Abbreviations, VietnameseAbbreviations, Vietnamese Abby familyAbby family ABC (Computer program language)ABC (Computer program language) 'Abd Allah Inlet (Kuwait and Iraq)'Abd Allah Inlet (Kuwait and Iraq) Abdominal compression reactionAbdominal compression reaction Abduction of Helen (Painting)Abduction of Helen (Painting) Abel (Biblical figure) in rabbinical literatureAbel (Biblical figure) in rabbinical literature Ability testingAbility testing

Sample LCSH Headings Strings Abbreviations, VietnameseAbbreviations, Vietnamese--Dictionaries--Dictionaries Abby familyAbby family--History--19th century--History--19th century ABC (Computer program language)ABC (Computer program language)--Handbooks, --Handbooks,

manuals, etc.manuals, etc. 'Abd Allah Inlet (Kuwait and Iraq)'Abd Allah Inlet (Kuwait and Iraq)--Exploration----Exploration--

MapsMaps Abdominal compression reactionAbdominal compression reaction--Diagnosis--Diagnosis Ability testingAbility testing--South Carolina--Columbia--South Carolina--Columbia

Subject AnalysisSubject Analysis

Determining the “aboutness” of a Determining the “aboutness” of a documentdocument

Independent of systems of Independent of systems of representationrepresentation Subject headings / DescriptorsSubject headings / Descriptors Call numbers / ClassificationCall numbers / Classification

AboutnessWe Don’t Know We Don’t Know

How We Know But How We Know But We Know It When We Know It When

We See It.We See It.

Aboutness is in the eye of the beholder ...

IntentionsIntentions PerceptionsPerceptions

Is this a banner of heritage or hate?Of racial bigotry orstates’ rights?

Intentions and Perceptions Authors’/Creators’ IntentionsAuthors’/Creators’ Intentions Subject analyst catalogers’Subject analyst catalogers’

PerceptionsPerceptions IntentionsIntentions

Viewers’Viewers’ IntentionsIntentions PerceptionsPerceptions

“In other contexts and from other perspectives the same document may have other,quite different ‘subjects.’”

Hutchins, W.J. (1975):115

The Bridges of Madison CountyFeature films

Feature filmsLove in motion pictures

Feature filmsVideo recordings for the

hearing impaired

Bridges--Iowa--Madison CountyMadison County (Iowa)--Description and travelWinterset (Iowa)--Description and travelIowa--Description and travel

Subject Analyst Catalogers’ Intentions

and Perceptions

Intentions first ...

RetrievalRetrieval EffectivenessEffectiveness EfficiencyEfficiency ConsistencyConsistency CoincidenceCoincidence AcceptanceAcceptance

Indexer’s Perceptions Determine Subject Indexing

Indexer Perceptions VaryIndexer Perceptions Vary

IntIntererindexer Consistency:indexer Consistency:Will two indexers assign the same Will two indexers assign the same

term?term?

IntIntraraindexer Consistency:indexer Consistency:Will the same indexer assign the same Will the same indexer assign the same

terms at different times?terms at different times?

In a word,

NO!NO!

Issues Affecting Interindexer Consistency Semiotic factors (related to the document)Semiotic factors (related to the document)

Author’s vocabularyAuthor’s vocabulary Readability of textReadability of text Subject areaSubject area Specificity of discourseSpecificity of discourse Author’s style and clarity of presentationAuthor’s style and clarity of presentation Redundancy of information in textRedundancy of information in text

Issues Affecting Interindexer Consistency

Semiotic factors (related to the index)Semiotic factors (related to the index) Indexing methodIndexing method Constraints imposed on indexers in their choice Constraints imposed on indexers in their choice

of termsof terms Indexing aids of semantical nature, such as Indexing aids of semantical nature, such as

thesauri, dictionaries, etc.thesauri, dictionaries, etc.

Issues Affecting Interindexer Consistency Pragmatic factors related to the indexersPragmatic factors related to the indexers

General educational background General educational background Maturity (age, etc.)Maturity (age, etc.) PersonalityPersonality Personal historyPersonal history Aptitude for IndexingAptitude for Indexing Motivation in workMotivation in work DispositionDisposition Fatigue, health conditions, etc.Fatigue, health conditions, etc. Psychological constraints, interests, etc.Psychological constraints, interests, etc. Significance judgment related to document structureSignificance judgment related to document structure

Issues Affecting Interindexer Consistency Environmental factors related to indexingEnvironmental factors related to indexing

Noise in the work areaNoise in the work area Climatic conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.)Climatic conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) Lighting conditionsLighting conditions Interruptions in the indexer’s workInterruptions in the indexer’s work Time constraints imposed on the indexersTime constraints imposed on the indexers Type of technical equipment, etc.Type of technical equipment, etc. Ergonomics of work stationErgonomics of work station

“From a naïve point of view the concept of subject or subject matter poses no problem: it is rather obvious what subjects are.”

Hjørland, B. (1997): 58

“The implication … is that different people should arrive at the same subject - that consistency is the ideal in indexing and classification.”

Hjørland, B. (1997): 61

But ...

It’s still the “best” way. We share cataloging!

We want effective retrieval.

The Bridges of Madison County

The Bridges of Madison County

The book:The book: Photographers--Fiction.Photographers--Fiction. Bridges--Iowa--Fiction.Bridges--Iowa--Fiction. Madison County (Iowa)-- Madison County (Iowa)--

Fiction.Fiction.

The film:The film: Adultery--Drama.Adultery--Drama. Love--Drama.Love--Drama.

(in the Library of Congress’s Catalog)

Schindler’s List in LC’s CatalogSome subjects are common to all records for the book and the film.

Except that the “thing-ness” changes:Books: Form subdivision = fiction

Film: Form subdivision = drama

Subjects common to both all books and film Schindler’s List

Schindler, Oskar, 1908-1974 -- Fiction/Drama.Schindler, Oskar, 1908-1974 -- Fiction/Drama. World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--

Poland--Kraków--Fiction/Drama.Poland--Kraków--Fiction/Drama. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Poland-- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Poland--

Kraków--Fiction/Drama. Kraków--Fiction/Drama.

Subject common to all booksbut not the film Schindler’s List

Righteous Gentiles in the Holocaust--Righteous Gentiles in the Holocaust--Poland--Kraków--Fiction.Poland--Kraków--Fiction.

Subjects common to 2 of 4 books Subjects common to 2 of 4 books but but notnot the film the film Schindler’s ListSchindler’s List

World War, 1939-1945--Fiction.World War, 1939-1945--Fiction. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Fiction.Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Fiction.

Subjects unique to the film Schindler’s List

World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--Bohemia and Moravia (Protectorate, 1939-Bohemia and Moravia (Protectorate, 1939-1945)--Drama.1945)--Drama.

Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Bohemia Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Bohemia and Moravia (Protectorate, 1939-1945)--and Moravia (Protectorate, 1939-1945)--Drama.Drama.

“We should never talk about

the subject of a document.”

Hutchins, W.J. (1975):115

“… One thing should now be clear, namely, that the notion of the subject of a document is peculiarly vague…”

Hutchins, W.J. (1975): 115.

But ...

So let’s at least try to avoid doing it wrong!

The complete home learning sourcebook : the essential resource guide for homeschoolers, parents, and educators covering every subject from arithmetic to zoology / Rebecca Rupp.

Home schooling--United States--Home schooling--United States--Handbooks, manuals, etc.Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Most records have 1 or 2 LCSH

LCSH Structure and Application26.0 Number of headings The number of headings assigned to each work The number of headings assigned to each work

depends on the nature of its content and the depends on the nature of its content and the structure of available subject headings. structure of available subject headings.

Certain categories of works are generally not Certain categories of works are generally not assigned any subject headings. assigned any subject headings.

Many works are assigned only one heading.Many works are assigned only one heading. In other cases, multiple headings are required. In In other cases, multiple headings are required. In

general, no more than ten headings are assigned to general, no more than ten headings are assigned to any one work.any one work.

Most records have 1 or 2 LCSH

How to teach your baby math / Glenn How to teach your baby math / Glenn Doman, Janet Doman.Doman, Janet Doman.

Mathematics--Study and teaching Mathematics--Study and teaching (Preschool)(Preschool)

Infants.Infants.

Ufos, JFK and Elvis : Conspiracies You Don't Have to Be Crazy to Believe by Richard Belzer

““Synopsis: Veteran comedian and actor Richard Synopsis: Veteran comedian and actor Richard Belzer turns his cynical eye and scathing tongue Belzer turns his cynical eye and scathing tongue loose in a hilarious yet hard-hitting expose of why loose in a hilarious yet hard-hitting expose of why conspiracy theories are no laughing matter.”conspiracy theories are no laughing matter.”

(from Amazon.com)(from Amazon.com)

American wit and humor.American wit and humor.

Educating Esme : Diary of a Teacher's Educating Esme : Diary of a Teacher's First Year by Esme Raji CodellFirst Year by Esme Raji Codell

Codell, Esmé Raji, 1968- Codell, Esmé Raji, 1968- First year teachers--Illinois--Chicago--First year teachers--Illinois--Chicago--

Diaries.Diaries. Elementary school teachers--Illinois--Elementary school teachers--Illinois--

Chicago--Diaries.Chicago--Diaries.

Dutch : A Memoir of Ronald ReaganDutch : A Memoir of Ronald Reagan Reagan, Ronald.Reagan, Ronald. Presidents--United States--Biography.Presidents--United States--Biography. Governors--California--Biography.Governors--California--Biography. Motion picture actors and actresses--United Motion picture actors and actresses--United

States--Biography.States--Biography.

All The Best, George Bush: My Life and Other Writings by George Bush““In lieu of a memoir, All the Best, George Bush In lieu of a memoir, All the Best, George Bush

collects correspondence and diary entries from the collects correspondence and diary entries from the former U.S. president to show, as he says, ‘what former U.S. president to show, as he says, ‘what my own heartbeat is, what my values are, what has my own heartbeat is, what my values are, what has motivated me in life.’” motivated me in life.’” [from Amazon.com][from Amazon.com]

Bush, George, 1924- --Correspondence.Bush, George, 1924- --Correspondence. Presidents--United States--Correspondence.Presidents--United States--Correspondence.

Faith of My Fathers by John McCain, Mark Salter Faith of My Fathers by John McCain, Mark Salter (Contributor)(Contributor)

““Just a terrific book about John McCain's struggle to live up to the lofty Just a terrific book about John McCain's struggle to live up to the lofty accomplishments of his forefathers, something most people can really accomplishments of his forefathers, something most people can really

relate to. The first couple of chapters deal with his grandfather and relate to. The first couple of chapters deal with his grandfather and father, both of whom fought in World War II, and how their lives father, both of whom fought in World War II, and how their lives affected his childhood. But the longer part of the book deals with affected his childhood. But the longer part of the book deals with

John McCain's detainment in a Vietnamese POW camp and how he John McCain's detainment in a Vietnamese POW camp and how he tries to retain hope amid the worst of despair. Simple prose written in tries to retain hope amid the worst of despair. Simple prose written in a fast-moving style will keep you reading even if you never heard of a fast-moving style will keep you reading even if you never heard of

Senator McCain.”Senator McCain.”[from Amazon.com][from Amazon.com]

Faith of My Fathers by John McCain, Mark Salter Faith of My Fathers by John McCain, Mark Salter (Contributor)(Contributor) McCain, John, 1936- --Religion.McCain, John, 1936- --Religion. McCain, John, 1936- --Family.McCain, John, 1936- --Family. McCain, John S. (John Sidney), 1911-1981. McCain, John S. (John Sidney), 1911-1981. McCain, John Sidney, 1884-1945. McCain, John Sidney, 1884-1945. United States. Congress. Senate--Biography.United States. Congress. Senate--Biography. United States. Navy--Biography.United States. Navy--Biography. Legislators--United States--Biography.Legislators--United States--Biography. Fathers--United States--Biography.Fathers--United States--Biography. Grandfathers--United States--Biography.Grandfathers--United States--Biography.

So ... What have we learned about LCSH? Specificity matches the documentSpecificity matches the document LCSH is a controlled vocabularyLCSH is a controlled vocabulary No two indexers index alikeNo two indexers index alike It’s both more and less complicated than it It’s both more and less complicated than it

seems!seems! And ...And ...