Sears Subject Headings

Julie Bramman, Renee Clark, Lindy Garland,

Aubrey Iglesias, Erica Johnson, and Thomas Leonhardt

Topics of Discussion

• Introduction

• History

• Define and Describe

• Uses

• Evaluation

• BINGO

Basic Branches of Cataloging

• 1. Descriptive cataloging– Retrieval by title, author, date, etc.

• 2. Subject cataloging– What an information package is about

• Subject Heading: uniform word or phrase used in library catalogs to express topic

History

• Minnie Earl Sears (1st 3 ed.)

• 1923

• Like LCSH, but for small libraries

• Surveyed 9 other small libraries

• Nova Southeastern University, Florida

How is Sears different? Flexibility & Simplification:

• Simplification of phrasing

• Not complete list of terms

• Simplified instructions

Determine Subject Content

• Principle of specific and direct entry– Heading separate term, not subdivision under broader

heading

• Rule of 3– No more than 3 headings per information package

• Uniformity– Materials on single topic, same heading

Apply Subject Headings

• If established heading exists, use that heading

• If synonym or alternative, select term from list

• If no heading exists, create new heading

Uses

• Small libraries, foreign libraries, and school libraries

• Subject cataloging• References Dewey numbers• Compatible, flexible and expandable• Historical and established use• A teaching tool for librarians

ExampleHair 612.7; 646.7

Use for general materials on hair as well for as materials on hairdressing and haircutting.

UF BarberingCoiffureHaircuttingHairdressingHairstylesHairstyling

BT HeadPersonal Grooming

NT WigsHaircutting

USE HairHairdressing

USE Hair From: Sears List of Subject Headings, 17th ed. C. 2000

Comparison with LCSHSOURCE OF HEADINGS: Library of Congress Online CatalogINFORMATION FOR: HairPlease note: Broader Terms are not currently availableSelect a Link Below to Continue...Authority RecordNarrower Term: BeardsNarrower Term: BristlesNarrower Term: EyebrowsNarrower Term: EyelashesNarrower Term: Guard hairNarrower Term: HorsehairNarrower Term: MoltingNarrower Term: MustachesSee Also: ScalpNarrower Term: TrichomesNarrower Term: WigsNarrower Term: WoolNarrower Term: Gray hairNarrower Term: WhiskersNarrower Term: Sale of human hairNarrower Term: Long hairNarrower Term: Sidelocks

From: http:/authorities.loc.gov

Hair 612.7; 646.7Use for general materials on hair as well for as materials on hairdressing and haircutting.

UF BarberingCoiffureHaircuttingHairdressingHairstylesHairstyling

BT HeadPersonal Grooming

NT WigsHaircutting

USE HairHairdressing

USE Hair

From: Sears List of Subject Headings, 17th Edition, C. 2000

Evaluation

• Inexpensive and easy to use• Effective for general collections• Not as widely known or accessible as

LCSH• Not updated as often as LCSH• Needs to be published on-line to remain

competitive with LCSH

Works Cited

• Miller, Joseph, ed. Sears List of Subject Headings. 17th ed. Bronx, N.Y.: H.W. Wilson, 2000.