Document (#31502)

Author

Palmer, J.W.

Title

Subject authority control and syndetic structure - myth and realities : an inquiry into certain subject heading practices and some questions about their implications

Source

Cataloging and classification quarterly. 7(1986) no.2, S.71-95

Year

1986

Abstract

An examination of subject heading practices in the card catalogs of libraries in one New York State county and an analysis of selected subject headings found that only the largest libraries were able to provide any kind of subject authority control. Furthermore, not even the largest libraries were able to provide the "See Also" references upon which the Library of Congress assignment of subject headings is based. Changes in LCSH headings resulted in great confusion and a dispersal of resources in the smaller libraries. Is this situation typical of practices at other libraries in other parts of the United States? If so, the implications could be very serious. The study offers no answers, but raises important questions.

Object

LCSH

Location

USA

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