A graphical design on subject heading lists.
In choosing the appropriate subject headings, two subject heading lists are commonly used, namely Sears List of Subject Headings (SLSH) and Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). đź“–
Course: LIBSCI 22 - Organization of Information Resources II
Teacher: Sarah Angiela Ragay
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Subject Heading Lists: SLSH VS LCSH
1. SLSH
vs
LCSH
LIBSCI 22-A | Gali, Francheska Vonne S., BLIS-II
Subject Heading Lists
A subject heading is part of a systematic list of terms that describe a
given subject matter. Adding subject headings, selected from a
controlled vocabulary to a catalog record, allows the catalog user to
retrieve all items on a given subject consistently.
Subject Heading List is the printed or published list of subject headings
produced from the subject authority file maintained by an organization
or individual.
Two popular subject heading lists are the Sears List of Subject
Headings (SLSH) and Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH).
SLSH LCSH
SUBJECT HEADINGS
Sears List of
Subject Headings
Library of Congress
Subject Headings
LibGuides: Cataloging Tools and Resources: Subject Headings. (2014). Ala.org. Retrieved from https://libguides.ala.org/catalogingtools/subjects
About the Library | Library of Congress. (2015). The Library of Congress. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/about/
References:
2. SLSH
vs
LCSH
LIBSCI 22-A | Gali, Francheska Vonne S., BLIS-II
Subject Heading Lists
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1923 It has served the different
needs of small and
medium-sized libraries.
1898
It has served larger
libraries with fairly
comprehensive
collections.
It uses complex terminology in
describing subjects. LCSH has
a rich vocabulary covering all
subject areas.
It has simpler phrasing and
limited entries. SLSH has
fewer technical terms,
preferring to common names
of things that are familiar to
most users.
It uses direct headings.
It uses inverted headings.
Reference:
Both are alphabetical lists of
subject headings.
SLSH is contained in one
volume with updates every
three years.
LCSH is contained in five
large volumes and
updated every year.
Both contains two or more
individual concepts together to
make a heading.
Headings and subdivisions in
boldface may be used for
subject searching.
Non-preferred terms are in
plain font.
Both are employed by library
catalogers in choosing the
appropriate subject headings
and in attaining uniformity.
Both contain the underlying
principles of subject heading.
LCSH was developed and
maintained by the U.S. Library
of Congress for the collections
of the library.
SLSH was first published by
Minnie Earl Sears.
Subhajit, P. (2019). Library of Congress and Sears List of Subject Headings. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2559461
3. SLSH
vs
LCSH
LIBSCI 22-A | Gali, Francheska Vonne S., BLIS-II
Subject Heading Lists
Subhajit, P. (2019). Library of Congress and Sears List of Subject Headings. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2559461
Reference:
S L S H
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
L C S H
Easier to use than
LCSH because it's
smaller
Less expensive
Uses terms that
are familiar or
common to most
library users
Not helpful for
bigger libraries
with a large
collection
Cataloger needs
to improve his or
her vocabulary
because SLSH is
not
comprehensive in
terms.
SLSH is less
equipped to
respond to new
challenges in
subject
cataloging due to
the lack of
subjects.
Explicit rules and
principles on its
usage
Richest controlled
vocabulary in the
world enveloping
all subject areas
Difficult to use for
both catalogers
and library users
Complex syntax
and utilization rules
requiring trained
staff
Headings don't
operate smoothly
with search engines
outside the OPAC
environment (e.g.
digital libraries).
Contains synonym,
homograph control,
and rich links of its
syndetic nature
through cross-
reference (e.g. BT, NT
RT, and UF)
Ensures accuracy
and recall in
retrieval and aids
browsing of multi-
faceted subjects
More expensive