A Fully Faceted Syntax for Library of Congress Subject Headings

Moving to a fully faceted syntax would resolve three problems facing Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): (1) Inconsistent syntax rules; (2) Inability to create headings that are coextensive with the topic of a work; and (3) Lack of effective displays for long lists of subdivisions under a single subject heading in OPACs and similar electronic displays. The authors advocate a fully faceted syntax using the facets of a modern faceted library classification (The Bliss Bibliographic Classification, 2nd ed.). They demonstrate how this might be accomplished so as to integrate the new syntax with existing headings. (C) 2006 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.