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Library of Congress Subject Headings
What is a Subject Heading?
There are basically two ways to search for information on a topic: using key words from the title or information about the item, and using subject headings (also sometimes referred to as descriptors).
While keyword searching relies on the language used by the author, the publisher, or the person writing the abstract or summary, subject headings use a single word or phrase to represent a particular topic or concept. For example, the terms substance abuse, chemical dependency, and addiction are all terms used to describe the same concept, but only one of them will be used as the subject heading.
This makes subject headings a very powerful way to search for information on a topic, because once you know the subject heading, you can search for everything on the topic regardless of the language used in the title or other information about a book.
What are Library of Congress Subject Headings?
Most library catalogs use a subject heading vocabulary developed by the Library of Congress (LC), which publishes these headings in a multi-volume set referred to as LCSH or "the big red books." Knight Library makes a copy of these volumes available at the main Reference Desk.
There are many specialized vocabularies that are also used. For example, the Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors (REF KNIGHT Z 695.1 .E3 E34) is used in the ERIC database (education), and many medical and health databases, including Medline and PubMed, use a vocabulary developed by the National Library of Medicine called Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) (SCIENCE Z 695.1 .M48 M4). Smaller public libraries often used a scaled-down version of LCSH called Sears List of Subject Headings in their library catalogs.
How Do I Use Them?
Using LCSH is like using a dictionary or thesaurus: start by looking up a word or phrase as it occurs to you. The examples below, along with the explanatory text, explain how to interpret the thesaurus entries.
Sometimes you won't find an appropriate term using the word or phrase that first occurs to you; here are two strategies you can use to find one:
- Think of a synonym (word or phrase with a similar meaning), and look it up.
- Do a keyword search in the library catalog, find an item that is on your topic, and look at the L.C. subjects listed in the record.
Once you find a subject heading, you can search the library catalog using your subject heading.
|
Substance (Philosophy) [BD331] BT Metaphysics Reality RT Matter Ontology NT Essence (Philosophy) Four elements (Philosophy) Hylomorphism Immaterialism (Philosophy) Substance abuse (May Subd Geog) [HV4997-HV5840 (Social pathology)] [RC563-RC568 (Psychiatry)] UF Abuse of substances Addiction, Substance Addictive behavior Chemical dependence Chemical dependency Substance addiction BT Crimes without victims Psychology, Pathological SA subdivision Substance use under classes of persons and ethnic groups NT Aerosol sniffing Alcoholism Betel chewing Caffeine habit Church and substance abuse Drug abuse Dual diagnosis Solvent abuse Tobacco habit Religious aspects Baptists, [Catholic Church, etc.] Buddhism, [Christianity, etc.] Treatment (May Subd Geog) NT Detoxification (Substance abuse treatment) Substance abuse, Intravenous USE Intravenous drug abuse Substance abuse and the church USE Church and substance abuse |
Headings in bold type are valid headings; these are the headings used in the library catalog. You can browse the shelves for items on substance as it relates to philosophy in the BD 331 call number area. BT = "broader term(s)." These are more general headings; if you don't find enough items under the main heading, consider using these broader headings. RT = "related term(s)." These can provide you with ideas for other terms to pursue (like synonyms in a thesaurus). NT = "narrower term(s)." These are more specific headings; if you find too many items under the main heading, consider using these narrower headings. May Subd Geog = "may subdivide geographically."
When indicated, you may add place names after the heading to limit your
search to a particular geographic region, e.g. UF = "used for," which means "used instead of." For example, the heading Substance abuse is used in the catalog instead of "Addictive behavior" or "Chemical dependence." SA = "see also." A see also reference
indicates headings that cover similar subjects. In this case, you
could search for the topic of substance abuse among classes of persons
or ethnic groups using terms such as used in front of a term indicates a
subheading. Subheadings in bold type are used in the
library catalog, e.g. used in front of a term indicates
a sub-subheading, e.g. When indicated, subheadings may also be subdivided geographically,
e.g. Headings in plain type are not used in the library catalog. USE indicates the valid heading. |
|
Tango (Dance) (May Subd Geog) [GV1796.T3] Here are entered works on the tango as a dance. Musical compositions are entered under the heading Tangos. BT Dance |
Scope notes provide additional information about the heading, including how it is distinct from other, similar headings. |
Common Subheadings
One of the "tricks" that reference librarians often employ when doing a subject search is to use subdivisions of subject headings, called subheadings, which can result in a more precise search. The following subheadings can be added to many subject headings:
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| United States | you can use other country names as well | Mass media United States |
| Oregon | you can use other state names as well | Environmental impact analysis Oregon |
| Bibliography | finds a list of works on a subject | Sex role Bibliography |
| Congresses | finds conference proceedings on a subject | Balance of trade Congresses |
| Criticism and interpretation | finds items of literary criticism about a particular work or author | Austen Jane 1775-1817 Criticism and interpretation but Austen, Jane, 1775-1817 Adaptations History and criticism |
| Description and travel | finds travel information about places | Nepal Description and travel also Nepal Guidebooks |
| Dictionaries | finds both dictionaries and encyclopedias about languages or subjects | Swedish language Dictionaries Sociology Dictionaries |
| Economic conditions | India Economic conditions African Americans Economic conditions |
|
| History | Canada History Baseball History |
|
| Periodicals | obtains a list of journals and magazines on a subject | Theater Periodicals |
| Pictorial works | finds photographs or heavily-illustrated books on a subject | Vietnamese Conflict 1961 1975 Pictorial works |
| Politics and government | Italy Politics and government | |
| Social conditions | Brazil Social conditions also Brazil Social life and customs |
|
| Statistics | United States Economic conditions Statistics | |
| Study and teaching | finds works on how to teach a subject | Spanish language Study and teaching but Guitar Instruction and study |
For assistance and other tips on how to construct more efficient searches, ask a reference librarian.
Maintained by: Elizabeth Peterson, emp@uoregon.eduLast Modified: 11/09/2007