History of LOC Subject Headings
The Library of Congress (LOC) first established Subject Headings in 1898 out of necessity. In 1897, the LOC moved from the US. Capitol into a new building and it became apparent that a new subject catalog was necessary to reflect more specifically the vast array of subjects of the books contained in the Library’s rapidly growing collections. The Library decided that a dictionary catalog instead of an alphabetic-classed or a classed catalog should be adopted to complement the new classification system that would replace Thomas Jefferson’s system. Using the List of Subject Headings for Use in Dictionary Catalogs (A.L.A. list), prepared by a committee of the American Library Association and published in 1895, as a base text, blank leaves that trebled the size of the original volume were added and the copies were bound in flexible leather. The A.L.A. list, several other lists of subject headings, and many reference books were consulted as sources for new subject headings. New subjects also arose in the daily cataloging done at the Library. By the spring of 1898 decisions were made and preliminary arrangements were in place. Actual work on the new subject catalog began simultaneously with the printing of the first author cards in July 1898.
The first edition of the Library of Congress list, called Subject Headings Used in the Dictionary Catalogues of the Library of Congress, was printed in parts between 1909 and 1914. Supplementary lists were issued as required, followed by a second edition in 1919. Later editions were published at irregular intervals. The title was changed to Library of Congress Subject Headings when the eighth edition was published in 1975.
- Search Terms up for Debate: The politics and purpose of library subject headingsHistorical research almost always starts with words. When you search in a library catalog, databases, or even Google, the words you use to describe your topic determine what you’ll find. These words can also reinforce assumptions, exclude people, or perpetuate stigma. Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) are used by many libraries in the United States to help users find resources in their collections. For the last century, librarians have worked to make LCSH more inclusive and accurate by replacing offensive or racist terms with language that more fully reflects the identities and experiences of diverse populations.
Searching with LOC Subject Headings
The Lyman Beecher Brooks Library catalog uses the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) to organize the books.
Often, the LCSH categories won't line up with the keyword list you have developed. For example, a subject search for "autobiography" will return different results than a search for "personal narrative." Be sure to check the subject listings in the catalog record of material that meets your research needs.
In the sample catalog entry below, the book has several subjects listed. If there is a highlighted subject listed, you can click on it to find books on the same topic.
