I beg to differ on the last comments. In the context of a capable system the complete subject strings serve to organize results in a useful way. Results displays can show alphabetically arranged subject strings along with the titles of the works that contain them. This allows very efficient browsing to select useful items.
The problem is that such capable systems have become a thing of the past. Isn't progress wonderful? It reminds me of the period in the middle ages when the ability to build domes was lost. No, I didn't really compare the age of Oracle to the dark ages, did I?
Thanks,
Jimmie
-----Original Message-----
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries [mailto:NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Kyle Banerjee
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 12:08 PM
To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] Discussion of id.loc.gov
> Well, if it's got an id URI, that means that particular heading string has
> it's own authority record. Not all legal LCSH assigned headings do. But
> that one does. I don't entirely understand when an authority record exists
> and when it doesn't.
>
> If LCSH is actually maintained/structured in the most efficient/useful way
> for the modern environment... is a big question.
Trying to make sense of this stuff is a mistake because it doesn't
really fit into any unified conceptual framework.
There are many headings that have subdivisions premade based on
literary warrant, but there are also a large number of free floating
subdivisions that can be attached to other subject headings. For
example, there are subdivisions that can be attached to categories of
heading such as plants, ethnic groups, land vehicles, materials,
places, corporate bodies etc. In addition, you have form, temporal,
and geographic subdivisions that can be tacked on.
There is plenty of flexibility in how these are assigned, and the
rules for combining them are pretty insane, so it won't make sense to
an outside observer. In fact, the amount of flexibility is so great
that even when I scan databases with millions of records, often
roughlly half of the subject strings are unique. Subject strings
supposedly exist to categorize things, and there's not much value in
having categories with only one item.
Precoordinated strings date back to when headings were put on paper
cards. It was a practical solution at the time that allowed
alphabetical filing of cards based on subject headings, but it's
something that should have been dumped as soon as we converted to the
online environment.
Using LCSH headings and subdivisions as a source of subject headings
and facets makes perfect sense and it works well in practice. However
preserving precoordinated strings just causes hassles in an online
environment and doesn't really lead to anything good.
kyle
--
----------------------------------------------------------
Kyle Banerjee
Digital Services Program Manager
Orbis Cascade Alliance
banerjek_at_uoregon.edu / 503.999.9787
Received on Mon May 18 2009 - 12:31:02 EDT