A subject heading is a team or a word or group of words or group of words used in a catalog, bibliography, or index expressing or representing the subject content of a book article or other reading material.

Determination

Formulation of subject heading is a process of subject or knowledge classification. In determining the subject, we are to consider the predominant area or theme of the material. Firstly, we have to read both the title and Contents of the publication and immediately imagine what may be the main topic or subject of the work. At this stage, we are to keep some possible terms, words, or phrases in our minds expressing the content of the book and then search for these terms in their alphabetical places in the list. We have to use the one that must be in bold font and truly signifies the content of the work. If in our first approach, no entry word exists in the list, we are to search the second or possibly the third term. Now we have to use the appropriate one that fits the materials precisely.

Steps for Subject Determination

1. Reading of the title: Determination of subject by merely reading the title is not advisable, since a large number of titles in books are of an abstract nature, and many, therefore misleading. There are, however, some works of general nature, which may be textbooks or manuals beginning with such phrases as “an introduction to,” “a textbook of,” “a manual of,” “a fundamental of,” ” Essential of,” etc., or those that are self- explanatory or clearly evident. Reading the titles alone of such works will be enough to determine their subjects, and there is almost no need to further examine the book.
2. Reliance on subtitle: A sub-title, occasionally found to explain the main title, is a “more reliable friend” than the main title to determine a subject. Let us take the example of the book Communication: An Introduction to the History of Writing, Printing, Books, and Libraries by Elmer D. Johnson. Here, the main title may mean that the book is on transportation and communication (388; 302.2), while the subtitle reveals that it is on the history of libraries (027), books (002), and printing (686.2).
3. Reading of contents: If the above steps are still not enough for ascertaining the subject of a book in hand, a careful reading of the tables of contents will reveal the scope and coverage of a subject, or more than one subject and its related areas. This process is essential for determining the subject of most of the books.
4. Reading of the Introduction: Scanning of the introduction (written by a critic, colleague, or author), which amplifies the text or briefly explains the author’s point of view, is also important.
5. Reading of preface/foreword: This step may further help understand the author’s plan or objective, as it works as a key to the subject matter, and provides a brief survey of the text.
6. Review on dust jacket or back cover: One can glean more clearly the subject matter of the book by reading this publisher’s review, if any, which not only clarifies the subject but also indicates standards or courses for which the book is recommended, It also covers the subject background and a short biography of the author.
7. Author’s designation and working institution: It is reasonable to believe from the author’s designation, given that the book may be more or less on the same subject or its bordering areas as is mentioned with the designation. Sometimes, specialized institutions, if mentioned with the designation, may also reflect the subject broadly.
8. Series: If any, is also indicative of the subject, at least broadly.
9. References and Bibliographies: References and bibliographies mentioned in most standard publications may also reveal the main subject area on which the book has been written, and its allied areas. It is meaningful to know the scope and broad subject of a book, particularly one with an abstract or incomprehensible title.
10. Glance through the text or browse: Usually, a dip into the book itself, reading passages that seem particularly important, may provide focus on the broad area treated in the book.
11. Book review: Reviews appearing in standard sources or in periodicals work as another means to determine the subject.
12. Consultation with a subject specialist: This is the last resort when all the assigned steps fail to determine the subject.

The above steps of scrutiny and examination will reveal what the book is about, what the author’s purpose was in writing it, whether the book treats one subject or two or more subjects, or if there is any special aspect of a given subject. When a cataloger or bibliographer has completed all the above approaches, it is now time to take into account the wording of the title and, more especially, the wording of the sub-title just before approaching the list of subject headings.

Principles of Construction:

1. Simple and modern headings: We should use simple and modern subject headings and avoid difficult, uncommon, and cumbersome phrases.
2. Avoidance of unnecessary subdivision: We have to use the subdivision with a subject only when it is essential and useful; when there are more books in the library, or more books are likely to come covering such subdivisions, or else we are to avoid unnecessary subdivisions and make the catalogue or bibliography unnecessarily complicated.
3. Various categories of readers as the focus: We should select such headings that are likely to be used by not one person, but by various categories and classes of readers.
4. Unity in terms and avoidance of overlapping words: Different terms may be used by different writers at different times for their titles belonging to a particular subject. In such case, should use representative, unambiguous headings uniting these terms, and avoid using different headings, which merely overlap, meaning other headings in the catalogue (e.g. Environment 304.2; Human ecology 304.2, etc)
5. Terms representing common usage by the reader: The headings chosen must represent common usage; or at least, reflect the need; knowledge and possible use by a class of readers, or they should also be in use in other libraries of the same type.
6. Specificity: We should prefer specific board headings. The heading should not be more than the content or topic of the book, i.e. if the contents are on Embryology (571.1), the broader heading Biology (570) may be avoided; if the book is on Trees (582.16; 635.9), the wider heading Botany (580) may be avoided.
7. Terms covering a field and more than one book: Conversely, terms covering a particular field and applicable to more than at least one book are to be used.
8. No more than three subject headings: If a publication covers more than one area, a maximum of three headings may be used. If the subject area tends to be more than three topics, general headings may be used.
9. Use of the same punctuation, capitalization and form: The same punctuation, spelling, capitalization and form should be employed as given in the list to maintain uniformity.

Choice of subject Headings

A given concept may have a number of different equivalents in a list. In such a case, the cataloger has to make the decision to adopt a heading that best illustrates the concept of a publication. The author’s usage and the patron’s preference may predetermine the choice of a given synonymous heading. In choosing between synonymous headings, Cutter recommends five preferences:

1. term most familiar to the general public
2. most used in other catalogues
3. one that has fewest meanings
4. comes first in the alphabet
5. brings the subject into the neighborhood of other related subjects.

Accurately determining and creating subject headings is crucial for improving the accessibility of information in a library catalog, allowing users to easily find relevant resources. By following standardized protocols and regularly updating subject headings to keep up with changing terminologies, libraries can ensure that their catalogs remain relevant and precise. Well-constructed subject headings ultimately help users retrieve information effectively, which is essential for the success of library services in meeting the diverse needs of their patrons.

Related posts:

Subject Headings: Types and Importance DDC (Dewey Decimal Classification): Values and Subdivision Innovative Features of DDC and 23rd Edition Opinions of different Bibliographers about book selection (past and present age)