How to Use Library of Congress Subject Heading

When conducting research on a specific subject, Google and similar search engines are an excellent way to begin. However, for in-depth research, libraries contain information not readily found by a search engine. In searching for a specific topic, Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) act as a thesaurus describing the contents of a book or resource. Resources can be classified under several different subject headings, enabling users to find what they are looking for under several topics.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Learning About Library of Congress Subject Headings

The Library of Congress was moved to the building where it now resides in 1897. As the collection grew, the Library of Congress decided to create a classification system that was consistent and updatable for searching. The Library of Congress decided to use a subject list prepared by the American Library in 1895, and has made updates as needed.
2
Know how LCSH headings are organized.^{[1]XResearch source} The Library of Congress Subject Heading system is a controlled vocabulary that identifies what a book or other information source is about. Subject headings can start with a single word or phrase of a general nature, and be subdivided into more specific headings. You can use LCSH to help your search in these ways:
- Identify specifically what an item is about. Searching on a broad subject heading will yield a large number of results, but some of these results may not be relevant to your search. By using narrower terms, you can find more relevant results.
- Identify a certain type of material. If you are interested in a specific type of material such as a diary, or a recording, you can use subject headings to find the type of material you are looking for.
- Locate other relevant information. Often LCSH have Related Terms, Broader and Narrower Terms that help you focus your search on the most relevant information.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Subject Headings to Search a Library Catalogue

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Find subject headings used by the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress uses specific terms to classify material, which may differ from commonly used terms. For example, if you search for the term "Baroque Music," you will be directed to the term "Music, 17th Century." The easiest way to find and use LCSH is to start with a 'keyword' search and then look at the Subject Headings of a relevant item to locate other related material. You can find Library of Congress Subject Headings online at these sources:
- Library of Congress.gov.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceLibrary of CongressOfficial library of the U.S. and main research institution for Congress and the American publicGo to source} Search the Library of Congress website to find lists of its more than 300,000 authorized subject headings.
- WorldCat.org.^{[3]XResearch source} Created by the global library consortium Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), WorldCat is the world's largest network of library content and services. You can find authorized Library of Congress Subject Headings by doing a basic search, selecting a result, and finding the headings located in the subject field.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Subject Headings to Catalog a Work

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Determine the item's subject matter. While it is not practical to read or watch each work you're cataloging, it is possible to analyze some key parts to find the subject, including:^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceLibrary of CongressOfficial library of the U.S. and main research institution for Congress and the American publicGo to source}
- Title.
- Table of Contents.
- Introduction or preface.
- Author’s purpose or foreword
- Abstract.
- Container (e.g. CD sleeve, software box, etc.)
- Identify the work's format. The subject of the work is what is about. The format is what it is, e.g. a book, compact disc, DVD, etc.
2
Locate the subject headings that best match the work.
- Make a list of keywords to describe the item's subject and format.
- Do a search on the Library of Congress website using the keywords you have identified.
- Catalog the item using the subject headings in your search results.
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