Worksheet 3 LCSH, Sears, BISAC
Worth 6 points
In this worksheet, you will use all three systems and try to assign subject headings and the beginnings of a classification structure for
five items. You goal is to contrast and compare the usefulness, differences and similarities or these systems.
What type of library might find a specific system most useful? Which systems make the most sense to a library patron?
Using the links below, try to find the information but if needed, you can also consult Cataloger’s desktop and OCLC Dewey for help.
In some cases there might seem to be more than one subject heading or hierarchy (as well as associated classification number).
That’s okay, this is where catalogers' judgment might come in to play.
Useful links for your investigation
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
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Library of Congress Subject Headings http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects.html
Library of Congress Classification System http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/
Sears List of Subject Headings available as an ebook by searching http://pittcat.pitt.edu. (Also helpful, User's Guide to Sears
List of Subject Headings by Mohinder P. Satija, Dorothy Elizabeth Haynes via Google Books).
BISAC http://www.bisg.org/what-we-do-0-136-bisac-subject-headings-list-major-subjects.php
In this example, I supply several approaches. You only need to find one answer for each of these 6 areas.
6a
6b
A nonfiction book listing
web pages on a specific
topic
Classification in
Subject Heading in LCSH
Subject Heading in SEARS
Subject Heading in BISAC
Web site – Bibliography –
Reference.
OR
Web Sites—Directories
OR
Computer Network
Resources-Directories
Classification in LCSH
Web site – Bibliography.
OR
Weblogs
REFERENCE / Bibliographies & Indexes
OR
COMPUTERS/Web/Blogs
Classification in SEARS
Classification in BISAC
sh2002001002
010
006.7
REF004000
COM060100
ZA4390
1a
A nonfiction book for
adults about religious
marriages in Nova
Scotia
Subject Heading in LCSH
Subject Heading in SEARS
Subject Heading in BISAC
1b
Classification in
Classification in
LCSH
Classification in
SEARS
Classification in
BISAC
2a
A nonfiction book for
adults about cooking
outdoors
Subject Heading in LCSH
Subject Heading in SEARS
Subject Heading in BISAC
2b
Classification in
Classification in
LCSH
Classification in
SEARS
Classification in
BISAC
3a
A nonfiction book for
adults about tree
identification
Subject Heading in LCSH
Subject Heading in SEARS
Subject Heading in BISAC
3b
Classification in
Classification in
LCSH
Classification in
SEARS
Classification in
BISAC
4a
A biography of Edna St.
Vincent Millay
Subject Heading in LCSH
Subject Heading in SEARS
Subject Heading in BISAC
4b
Classification in
Classification in
LCSH
Classification in
SEARS
Classification in
BISAC
5a
A nonfiction book on
the design of the Eiffel
Tower
Subject Heading in LCSH
Subject Heading in SEARS
Subject Heading in BISAC
5b
Classification in
Classification in
LCSH
Classification in
SEARS
Classification in
BISAC