Transcript Use the Library of Congress Subject Headings to do a

Use the Library of Congress Subject
Headings to do a subject search?
•Subject headings are words or phrases that are
established to represent a subject covered in library
resources and are referred to as a “controlled vocabulary.”
•The Library of Congress, our national library, has created
a list of the subject terms that are used in most library
catalog records in the United States.
•The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCHS) is a
set of 5 large red volumes that are located on the counter
shelves in the Reference Area on the Main floor, next to
the computer lab.
•The subject headings listed in LCHS are used in subject
searching in the library catalog.
Below is an explanation of an entry in the LCSH:
Subject Heading
Explanation
Drug Abuse (May Subd Geog)
[HV5800-HV5840]
Subject Heading is in boldface type.
Here are entered works on the abuse and
misuse of drugs in a broad sense, such as
aspirin, bromides, caffeine, sedatives,
alcohol, LSD, marihuana, and narcotics.
Works on abuse or misuse of therapeutic
drugs are entered under Medication abuse.
Works limited to addition to narcotics such
as opium, morphine, codeine and heroin,
are entered under Narcotic habit.
May include a definition of the types of
works that are described by this
subject heading.
(May Subd Geog) = may subdivide
geographically
[HV5800-HV5840] = call number area
for subject
UF Addiction to drugs
Drug addiction
Drug habit
Drug use
UF = Used For. These are not valid
subject headings. Instead of one of
these terms, use Drug abuse.
BT Crimes without victims
Substance abuse
BT = Broader Term. More general
terms. If not finding enough
resources, may use these terms to find
more.
RT Drugs – Overdosage
Drugs of abuse
RT = Related Term. Valid subject
headings that are related to the main
subject heading.
SA subdivision Drug use
under name of individual
persons, and under classes of
persons and ethnic groups
SA = See Also. Suggested headings
to use that cover similar topics .
NT Amphetamine abuse
Drugs and mass media
Drugs and sex
Intravenous drug abuse
Marijuana abuse
Medication abuse
Narcotic habit
Narcotics dealers
Phencyclidine abuse
NT = Narrower Term. More specific
terms. Use these for ideas to limit
you topic or to look for more specific
information.
-- Forecasting
UF Drug abuse, Prediction of
-- Hyphens indicate a subdivision of
the main subject heading, Drug
Abuse. Different concepts are
combined into one subject heading.
-- Paraphernalia
Use Drug paraphernalia
-- Hyphens indicate another
subdivision.
USE = Refers to valid subject
heading. This subdivision is not a
valid subject heading.
How do you use these subject headings?
See the following search examples in the Library Catalog.
This is a search using the valid subject heading: Drug Abuse.
In this search one of the UF headings, Drug use, is
used:
This is a search using the subject heading, Drug
abuse, and the subheading, Prevention:
A helpful tip: General or Free-floating Subdivisions
• In the LCSH there is a long list of general or free-floating
subdivisions that can help in combining topics and in
searching for a special focus of a topic. These subdivisions
are added after a valid subject heading.
• A list of these general subdivisions is in the front of the first
volume of the LCSH
• A few examples of these headings are:
--Health aspects
--Moral and ethical aspects
--Psychological aspects
--Physiological aspects
--Social aspects
--History
--Statistics
--Public opinion
--Description and travel
--Social life and customs
• This is how they are used:
Abortion – Political aspects
An example search using a subdivision:
Use the LCSH to help you:
• Find the established subject term to do a
subject search in the library catalog.
• Brainstorm for other terms or concepts
related to your topic so you can narrow
your topic.
• Develop a list of key terms and concepts
for you to use in searching databases and
the World Wide Web.
Need assistance? Ask a librarian!