ABSTRACT

The LCSH Century traces the 100-year history of the Library of Congress Subject Headings, from its beginning with the implementation of a dictionary catalog in 1898 to the present day. You will explore the most significant changes in LCSH policies and practices, including a summary of other contributions celebrating the centennial of the world's most popular library subject heading language.

part 1|15 pages

Background

chapter 1|15 pages

The LCSH Century

A Brief History of the Library of Congress Subject Headings, and Introduction to the Centennial Essays

part 2|55 pages

Theory and Principles

chapter 2|14 pages

LCSH

Semantics, Syntax and Specificity

chapter 3|22 pages

Turning Practice into Principles

A Comparison of the IFLA Principles Underlying Subject Heading Languages (SHLs) and the Principles Underlying the Library of Congress Subject Headings System

chapter 4|19 pages

Difference, Culture and Change

The Untapped Potential of LCSH

part 3|43 pages

Online Environment

chapter 6|16 pages

Filing and Precoordination

How Subject Headings Are Displayed in Online Catalogs and Why It Matters

chapter 7|9 pages

Machine-Assisted Validation of LC Subject Headings

Implications for Authority File Structure

part 4|72 pages

Specific Perspectives

part 6|10 pages

Future Prospects

chapter 16|10 pages

Entering the Millennium

A New Century for LCSH