Library of Congress Subject Headings
Content
- The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) includes all terms or subject headings which can be used in the library's catalog and most of the terms which cannot (with reference to the correct heading).
- Subject headings are words and phrases used to describe the contents of a book or other type of material (such as a videotape). NOTE: These terms may not be the same as those found in everyday usage.
- The subject headings used by most academic libraries are those decided upon by the Library of Congress and published in several large red books.
Location
- Five large red books are located on the Reference Desk and also on the small, wooden bookshelf located in the Current Periodicals area.
Format
- Headings are arranged alphabetically.
- Headings that you may use are in bold print. (note: not all subject headings are actually used in the catalog)
- Broad topics may be broken into more specific aspects, indicated by dashes (--) preceding a word or phrase.
- Suggestions are made of other possibly useful subject headings with the abbreviations BT, NT, and RT.
BT = broader term
NT = narrower term
RT = related term
A term that cannot be used will have a reference to the correct term.
Sample Entry
Advertising, Political
UF Advertising in politics
Political advertising
BT Electioneering
RT Press and politics
NT Radio in politics
Telephone in politics
-- Law and legislation
BT Advertising laws
Political advertising
USE Advertising, Political
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Main Heading in BOLD print
UF (used for) refers to terms not in the catalog
BT, RT, NT refer to terms which can be used (broader, related, narrower)
Dashes indicate a subdivision of the main heading
USE refers you from the incorrect
heading to the correct one
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For another example, see Where Do You Keep You Pet Pig? a printer-friendly handout.
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