Subject heading fields 600-651 and genre (field 655) are to be used by any institution assigning headings based on the lists and authority fields identified through the second indicator or subfield $2 of the field. Field 653 is defined for headings that are not based on a standard thesaurus.

Prior to July 1985, subject headings input by institutions other than LC, NLC, NLM, or NAL were coded as 69X local subject headings. The 69X fields were retained on the OCLC database but were not output by OCLC to LC and were no distributed by the MARC Distribution Service- -Serials. The 69X fields are no longer retained in the master record, although 690 and 691 are still valid local OCLC tags.

First indicator:

The first indicator in fields 600-611 signals the form of the heading and is specific to each type (e.g., personal, corporate name, etc.). For instructions on its use see Headings- -General Information.

Second indicator:

The second indicator signals the source of the subject heading. The values are defined as follows:

0- For subject headings based on the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) or its online version, its supplements, or the LC Name Authority File as maintained by OCLC. Most CONSER records will have subject headings with second indicator value "0". "Based on LCSH" is defined for use within CONSER as:

a. Headings (or headings and subdivision) found in the latest edition of LCSH, including the latest microfiche, printed version and supplements, or the online version.

b. Headings consisting of a term in LCSH to which is added a subdivision according to the rules stated in the Subject Cataloging Manual: Subject Headings, Rev. ed., particularly subdivisions listed in the pattern lists, and place subdivisions formulated and applied according to the rules in the manual.

c. Headings not printed in LCSH in the past but which have been used on LC copy in the past and which would not have changed under AACR2 (e.g., names of chemical compounds.

d. Headings based on patterns given in multiples in LCSH or authorized by instruction in LCSH, e.g., Economic assistance, British, [French, etc.].

e. Headings constructed with free-floating phrases e.g., . . .in art, etc.

1- For children's subject headings based on LCSH and its published supplements (including Subject Headings for Children's Literature).

2- For subject headings based on the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) (in field 650 only) or in the NLC authority files (in fields 600, 610, 611, 630, and 651).

3- For subject headings based on the NAL subject authority file. This indicator is no longer used in CONSER.

4- For subject headings assigned from a controlled list when the source of the headings cannot be specified by one of the subject lists or authority files covered by second indicator values "0-3, 5-6" or by a code for a specific subject heading list in subfield $2 when the second indicator is set to value "7."

5- For subject headings based on the Canadian Subject Headings, including its supplements and on the NLC authority field English headings, except those which are valid LC headings and which are coded as "0."

6- For subject headings based on the NLC authority file and on the Repertoire des cedettes- matiere, issued twice a year in microfiche format.

7- For subject headings based on lists or authority files and for which identifying codes have been provided in subfield $2.

Subfields:

For a description of subfields $a through $t, see "Headings- -General Information."

$x General subject subdivision.

$y Chronological subject subdivision.

$z Geographic subject subdivision.

$2 Source of heading or term.

Editing instructions:

1. Spelling:

Spell out in full words occurring in subject added entries except for abbreviations used in established name headings. Example:

2. Punctuation:

a. Input a period at the end of each field unless some other form of punctuation is already present. Example:

b. Do not input hyphens between each subdivision. These are provided by a user's print program.

c. Whenever an open date precedes an additional subdivisions, leave one space between the hyphen of the date and the following subfield code in addition to the space preceding the delimiter. Example:

3. Initial articles:

LC does not establish topical headings beginning with initial articles. Initial articles are input in name headings when the subject or subfield begins with a personal or geographic name and the intent is to file on the article. Example:

Additional instructions:

1. NLC:

NLC assigns both English and French subject headings when separate English and French records are not created. When the English and French subject headings are identical, the subject headings are identical, the subject heading is entered twice. The second indicator value "0" (if based on LCSH) or "5" (if based on Canadian Subject Headings) is assigned to the English subject heading. Second indicator value "6" is assigned to the French subject heading. Example:

2. USNP:

The U.S. Newspaper Program assigns topical and geographic subject headings to newspapers. Topical subject headings include those for ethnic newspapers and newspapers that primarily represent a subject focus. Example:

Geographic name subject headings are used for community newspapers as a means of providing access to the publication's area of coverage. Authority work for place names associated with newspapers is not routinely done.

3. Choice of tags:

For instructions on the proper tagging of subject headings, consult each field and the special list given in Subject Cataloging Manual: Subject Headings (H405) or "Appendix D" in the USMARC Bibliographic.

Related fields, etc.

Headings- -General Information, Appendix J

See also:

6XX Subject Access Fields