Karen Coyle wrote:
> The problem is that the LCSH as published is a partial vocabulary with
> complex instructions on how to create a heading. We do not have a list
> of actual headings, and we do not have a set of cross references that
> link to headings ...
But this kind of tool is not impossible to set up and provide.
Here's an example, including most of those headings that somehow found
their way into our catalog:
http://www.biblio.tu-bs.de/db/lcsh/page.php?urG=LCS&urS=german%20language
or
http://www.biblio.tu-bs.de/db/lcsh/page.php?urG=LCS&urS=venice
The underlying system would be capable of indexing many millions of
actual headings along with the complete Red Books contents in the same
way. That browse index could assist catalogers in rapidly choosing
headings that already exist, for one thing, before they create new
and slightly different ones.
> ... It also would be nice if the results were more
> intuitive.
That, of course, is a more difficult matter and one beyond the
reach of algorithms.
Anyway, the headings browse database can also serve as a starting
point for catalog queries as well as diving into GB or LibraryThing
or other catalogs, as you will see when you click on any one of the
headings.
If, OTOH, pre-coordinated headings are considered a thing whose time
has gone, then cataloging using LCSH Red Books can become a whole lot
easier. Thomas Mann firmly believes otherwise but he may not have lots
of followers any more.
B.Eversberg
Received on Wed Jun 25 2008 - 09:25:45 EDT