Library Research 101 - Library of Congress Subject Headings

Library Research 101

Examples from Library of Congress Subject Headings

happycat.gif (1432 bytes) The layout of these entries from LCSH approximates the print version as closely as possible.

The notes below call some headings "valid" and some "invalid."

Valid headings are headings that may be used in the library catalog.
Invalid headings are not used in the library catalog.

After studying the examples, test your understanding of LCSH entries.

Entries from LCSH:			Notes about the Entries:
Animal Psychology (May Subd Geog)			Valid Headings in LCSH are in boldface.
		[QL785]	Browse the shelves under the call number(s) in [brackets].
	BT	Psychology	These terms are also valid. BT = Broader Terms RT = Related Terms NT = Narrower Terms
	RT	Animal Behavior Animal Intelligence Psychology, Comparative
	SA	subdivision Psychology under individual animals and groups of animals, e.g. Cattle--Psychology; Fishes--Psychology	SA = See Also
	NT	Animal Memory Animal psychopathology Consciousness in animals Extrasensory perception in animals Time perception in animals
Animal Rescue
	UF	Rescue of animals
	BT	Animal Welfare
	NT	Dog rescue Wildlife rescue
Animal respiration			"Animal respiration" is not a valid heading. It is not in boldface type. USE the term Respiration instead.
	USE	Respiration
Animal restraint
	USE	Restraint
Animal rights (May Subd Geog)			Geographical subdivisions may be used with Animal rights, e.g., Animal rights -- United States
		[HV4701-HV4959]
	Here are entered works on the inherent rights attributed to animals. Works on the protection and treatment of animals are entered under Animal welfare.		Some headings have a Scope Note that clarifies its use.
	UF	Animal liberation Animals' rights Rights of animals	Animal rights is USED FOR (instead of) Animal liberation, Animals' rights, and Rights of animals, which are *invalid terms*.
	BT	Animal welfare--Moral and ethical aspects
--	Law and legislation		An invalid subheading
	USE	Animal welfare--Law and legislation
--	Religious aspects		A valid subheading
-- --	-- Baptists, [Catholic Church, etc.] -- Buddhism, [Christianity, etc.]		Valid sub-subheadings
Animal rights activists (May Subd Geog)
	UF	Activists, Animal rights Advocates, Animal rights Animal rights advocates
	BT	Reformers
Animal rights advocates
	USE	Animal rights activists
Animal Welfare (May Subd Geog)
		[HV4701-HV4959]
	Here are entered works on the protection and treatment of animals. Works on the inherent rights attributed to animals are entered under Animal rights.		The scope note clarifies the usage of the term Animal welfare and the term Animal rights.
	UF	Abuse of animals Animals--Abuse of Animals--Cruelty to Animals, Protection of Animals, Treatment of Cruelty to animals Humane treatment of animals Kindness to animals Mistreatment of animals Neglect of animals Prevention of cruelty to animals Protection of animals Treatment of animals Welfare, animal	This is a long list of UF (Used For) terms. Remember any term listed after UF is not a valid term. Animal welfare is used for (instead of) any of these terms.
	BT	Animals--Social Aspects
	NT	Animal rescue Vivisection
--	Law and legislation (May Subd Geog)
	UF	Animal rights--Law and legislation Humane laws
--	Moral and ethical aspects
	NT	Animal rights
-- -- -- --	Religious aspects -- Baptists, [Catholic Church, etc.] -- Buddhism, [Christianity, etc.] Societies, etc.
	UF	Humane societies
--	Study and teaching
	USE	Humane education