Book Review: Essential Library of Congress Subject Headings

Abstract

Essential Library of Congress Headings. By Vanda Broughton. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2012.278 p. $64.95 softcover (ISBN: 978-1-55570640-1). Essential Library of Congress Headings provides just what the title proclaims--exactly that which essential to the topic. More comprehensive books have been written on the Library of Congress Headings (LCSH) with an advanced readership in mind. The author even recommends one: Lois Mai Chan's Library of Congress Headings': Principles and Practice. (1) Although Chan's book analyzes LCSH in great depth, leaving no subdivision unturned, those readers without a solid cataloging background may feel confused and lost. In contrast, Broughton writes for the novice cataloger, library school student, and reference librarian or other library professional who wishes to understand the fundamentals of LCSH. No prior cataloging knowledge or experience necessary to appreciate this book. This the third book in a series by the same author. Other titles, Essential Classification and Essential Thesaurus Construction, are similarly written for specific use in the cataloging and classification courses at University College London. (2) As a result, Broughton's audience mainly British. In her preface, she explains that use of LCSH in the United Kingdom is a relatively recent phenomenon, and there no substantial history of library school education in the use of LCSH, or, indeed, of subject indexing or subject heading languages in general (vii). Throughout the book, she often addresses the UK reader directly, noting differences between cataloging in a US institution and one in the United Kingdom. A table illustrating differences between US and UK terminology included to show readers that when searching LCSH, they must search for US terminology rather than UK. One example she provides the difference in definition between the terms private schools and public schools on either side of the Atlantic (20). This not to say that the book not also helpful to audiences outside of University College, to those outside the UK, or to experienced catalogers already familiar with LCSH. General concepts are outlined simply, which makes the text a quick and enjoyable read. Broughton's style both conversational and informative. She has a talent for relating the often-abstract concepts of subject headings to practical application. While the book may not be as exhaustive as related titles, it does a much better job of explaining LCSH in a way that easy for professional catalogers to grasp quickly in the middle of their busy workday. The author begins with a brief history of LCSH, which can be found elsewhere, most extensively in The LCSH Century: One Hundred Years with the Library of Congress Headings System) Broughton's abbreviated history leads to an overview of the basic principles behind LCSH and of the concepts behind subject heading lists in general. Perhaps the most interesting section of the book comes in chapter 3, Subject Heading Lists and the Problems of Language, in which challenges of the English language are discussed in relation to subject cataloging. …