|
National Library News |
by David Farris,
Acquisitions and Bibliographic Services
How Canadian Subject Retrieval Is Facilitated
One of the National Library of Canada’s objectives is to provide access to the subject content of the vast amount of information published in Canada or dealing with the topic of Canada and Canadians. To meet this objective, the National Library (NL) provides subject headings and classification numbers for a wide variety of Canadiana published works, such as books, periodicals, sound and video recordings, and electronic publications.
In order to bridge the gap between the user and the information sought, as efficiently and effectively as possible, the cataloguer or indexer identifies the main concepts within the bibliographic work, then transfers those concepts into the framework and terminology of subject retrieval schemes. These schemes may be classification systems, subject heading systems or schemes for indexing or facilitating keyword searching.
The National Library uses several specific tools to provide subject access. The two classification systems used by the NL are the Dewey decimal classification and Library of Congress (LC) classification systems, both of which are familiar to library users.
Subject headings represent a second key mechanism for access to the subject content of bibliographic works. The National Library uses three subject heading systems, Library of Congress Subject Headings and Canadian Subject Headings, for English-language subject headings, and Répertoire de vedettes-matière, for French-language subject headings. Equivalent English-language and French-language headings are provided in Canadiana cataloguing.
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is a publication of the Library of Congress that is universal in its coverage of human knowledge, though with a somewhat American focus, due to the collections of that institution. However, LCSH also contains headings contributed from other libraries, some of which are located outside of the United States, including the National Library of Canada. LCSH has become one of the major tools for subject access in the English-speaking world.
Répertoire de vedettes-matière (RVM), published by Université Laval in cooperation with the National Library of Canada, lists French-language subject headings and is also universal in its coverage of human knowledge.
Canadian Subject Headings
Canadian Subject Headings (CSH) is a publication of the National Library of Canada that lists English-language subject headings. It is intended to provide headings for subject access to works on the Canadian social, economic, cultural, historical and political experience. These subject headings provide a Canadian perspective on topics that are unique to Canada, or perhaps are not adequately provided for or able to be expressed through the structures of the Library of Congress Subject Headings. Some examples of such headings are: Canadian literature (Ukrainian); Chinese Canadians; Federal-provincial conferences; Native policing; French language — Textbooks for second language learners.
It is important to note that in spite of the differences in some of its policies, Canadian Subject Headings is designed to be used in conjunction with, to complement, Library of Congress Subject Headings.
The compilation of Canadian Subject Headings is done with a great deal of thought and research, to determine both the need for new or modified headings, and the appropriate terminology for them. The options are weighed, keeping in mind that not every user approaches the catalogue with the same research needs or the same level of knowledge. In a country as diverse as Canada, there may even be some variety in the terminology that different social or ethnic groups identify within any given field, presenting a further challenge to those constructing or assigning subject headings. A good example of the evolution of the terminology used by Canadian Subject Headings involves the ongoing creation of headings related to Native or Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
Many headings in Canadian Subject Headings are borrowed from Library of Congress Subject Headings, and then set in a Canadian context through references from terminology to headings or through instructions in scope notes. For example, the subject heading treatment of the Canadian Constitution makes use of valid Library of Congress subject headings, but is treated in greater depth in CSH.
The rationale for new subject headings is based on what is called "literary warrant", that is, there are publications to be catalogued that require a heading. The general principle is to ensure that the subject heading is specific to the topic of the bibliographic work. For example, recent publications on topics such as sentencing circles and segregated funds necessitated new headings as it was felt that works on these topics could not be accessed by existing, less specific headings. The National Library’s collections, largely the result of legal deposit of Canadian publications, form the basis for much of the contents of Canadian Subject Headings. The Library is, however, always receptive to outside suggestions for new or modified subject headings.
Any list of subject headings must be current in language and appropriateness of its access points, keeping in mind what is best to facilitate the use of the catalogue. This is an ongoing task for the editors of a list of subject headings. For example, the creation of the new territory of Nunavut on April 1, 1999 meant several changes to Canadian Subject Headings.
Subject cataloguing is not always an easy task, as one aims to link the user to the information they want, effectively and efficiently. Yet in the same way, subject cataloguing is rewarding; providing the bridge for the users to find what they are looking for!