CATALOGING POLICY AND SUPPORT OFFICE

SUBJECT HEADING CHANGES IN FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE

On February 1, 2001, the Library of Congress will implement substantial changes in the subject headings that are assigned to works in the fields of fine arts and architecture. Cataloging of these materials will more closely resemble cataloging in other disciplines, especially literature and music.

The principal changes are in the use of geographical and chronological subdivisions. Geographical subdivisions will now precede chronological subdivisions. Chronological subdivisions will be permitted following many art headings, especially those with qualifiers for nationality. Headings such as Drawing--20th century--France--Paris will be reformulated as Drawing, French--France--Paris--20th century. These changes will reduce the number of subject entries required on bibliographic records.

A new pattern of free-floating subdivisions has been created for art. The use of free-floating subdivisions will reduce the amount of authority work required in cataloging.

The new list of pattern subdivisions is being added to the Subject Cataloging Manual: Subject Headings as instruction sheet H 1148 and the existing instruction sheet on art cataloging, H 1250, is being revised. The text of these instruction sheets is available by selecting either of the links below. They will also be included in the next update to the Subject Cataloging Manual: Subject Headings, scheduled for publication in spring 2001.

H 1148, Pattern Headings: Art

H 1250, Art and Fine Art

(These are PDF files that require the Adobe Acrobat Reader, available for free download by selecting this link.)

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Library of Congress Help Desk (03/29/2001)