Subjects Introduction

Introduction

Subject headings consist of two types; besides topical headings, "name" authority headings may be used as subjects. Topical subjects normally have their own authority records. Additional subject information may be added to a "name" authority record. Information on names used subject headings, together with subject subdivisions specific to those types of headings, are covered in the sections for the corresponding types of "name" authorities.

See also:

• Personal Names as Subjects
• Geographic Headings as Subjects
• Corporate Bodies which also Appear in LCSH

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Queen's University Subject Authorities

Here at Queen's University, most libraries use the Library of Congress subject headings. The exception to this practice is the Health Sciences Library, which uses MeSH headings. In addition to the LCSH headings, there are a few Canadian subject headings which have been authorized for use in the Queen's database. These headings are listed on line in the Queen's database. For more information on these headings, see the document Canadian Subject Headings in the Queen's Cataloguing Manual.

Authority records for all Library of Congress subject headings have been downloaded into the Queen's database and are available for consultation. This file is kept current by periodic updates. Any LC subject authority record which matched an already existing Queen's name authority record either has been or should be merged to form a single, combined name and subject authority record.

All subject headings which were located in bibliographic records had their authority records updated to match Queen's usage. Future additions to the Queen's bibliographic database will require that the subject authority record be updated manually, or through the use of the CLARR utility.

Updates to the LC subject authority file will be performed on a regular basis (probably monthly). The Library of Congress also maintains a website of the Subject Headings Weekly Lists which can be reviewed if necessary.

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