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Library
of Congress Subject Headings
Librarians
use both classification ("call numbers") and subject headings to organize
and describe books and other materials within their collections. Both
of these methods make it easy for users to locate all materials related
to their search. Classification (most libraries either use "Dewey Decimal
System" or the "Library of Congress Classification") ensures that books
in a given subject are shelved in close proximity to each other. Subject
headings ensure that when you do a search, either in a card catalog or
in an online catalog, all books that have information pertaining to a
topic will be found and grouped together, regardless of their call number
or location within the library.
The Library
of Congress has devised a standard list of subject headings, which are
used in most libraries today. These headings are added to the cataloging
record for the item. When you conduct a search in a card catalog, you
will find cards for all of the books with a particular subject heading
grouped together. When you perform a search in an online catalog, the
system will show you how many records it has found that contain the search
term that you are looking for. Each record or hit you find in the
library catalog is linked to a catalog description, which tells you the
title of the book, author, and publisher and the subject headings that
the item is cataloged under. The subject headings in the record are particularly
useful for expanding (or narrowing) your search, and giving you ideas
for other subject headings to search. Some examples of Library of Congress
subject headings related specifically the Battle of Bunker Hill are:
Bunker Hill, Battle
of, 1775
United States - History - Revolution, 1775-1783 - Campaigns
Massachusetts - History - Revolution, 1775-1783
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