The use of Library of Congress Subject Headings in digital collections

Abstract

Purpose -This paper attempts to explain the wide dissemination of Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) within digital libraries and presents some of the advantages and disadvantages of using this controlled vocabulary in digital collections. The paper also presents other classifications used in digital collections for subject access and explores ways of improving search functionality in digital collections that employ LCSH. Design/methodology/approach -Unlike traditional libraries that use Library of Congress Classification for organization and retrieval, digital libraries use metadata forms for organization and retrieval. The collections exist in cyberspace of the internet which is known for containing the universe of knowledge. The use of LCSH for information retrieval has been widely criticized for its difficulty of use and its information retrieval effectiveness in online environments. The Library of Congress (LOC) has claimed the headings were not based on comprehensive principles nor ever intended to cover the universe of knowledge. Despite these claims and criticisms, LCSH is the most popular choice for subject access in digital libraries. Findings -The number of digital collections increases every year and LCSH is still the most popular choice of controlled vocabulary for subject access. Of the numerous criticisms, difficulties of use and user unfamiliarity are the greatest disadvantages of using LCSH for subject access. Average users only have a vague notion of what they are looking for when initializing a search. More work is required in automated generation of subject headings and increased usage of LCSH in faceted search retrieval systems. This will provide users with better access to the LCSH used in the back end of information retrieval. Originality/value -The Greek researchers who developed the Dissertation DSPace system believe this type of module will eventually replace the traditional keyword-based indexing back ends employed by many information retrieval modules within current digital library systems. The system offers the type of access and interactivity that will acquaint users with how LCSH looks and is used. Faceted search and automated pattern matching using an ontology based on LCSH have the best promise of overcoming the disadvantages that have always plagued the LOC-controlled vocabulary. These retrieval techniques give LCSH an opportunity to finally achieve the optimal precision and recall it has so far failed to deliver.

Knowledge organization content in graduate coursework

“…ICT has caused drastic departure from the ways classification, indexing, authority control, etc., were performed. KO tools therefore have to cope with an ever-expanding knowledge base, consistent with the findings of studies conducted by a number of researchers (Allam, 2010; Hsieh-Yee, 2004; Hodge, 2000; Urs and Angrosh, 2008; Walsh, 2010; Wiggins, 2007). KO and information retrieval schemes need to have an insight into certain fundamental aspects.…”

“…KO encompasses all types of schemes for organizing information and knowledge. KO includes classification schemes that organize materials (Soergel, 2008), subject headings that provide topical access (Hodge, 2000; Walsh, 2010; Wiggins, 2007), authority files and cataloging systems and tools (Steele, 2009; Williams, 2009). While being inclusive to KO, the interdisciplinary nature between KO and information and KM places emphasis on metadata, data mining, info-maps, knowledge maps, taxonomy, ontologies and other strategies for organizing an organization’s explicit and tacit knowledge (Shi-yan et al , 2005; Urs and Angrosh, 2008).…”

“…Each LIS program uses different titles and labels for KO courses, which differ in coverage and content. Some relevant KO content can be categorized as information and knowledge maps (Dodge, 2005; Bargent, 2001), indexing tools (Hjørland, 2008, Anderson and Perez-Carballo, 2001), thesauri (Hill et al , 2002), metadata (Hsieh-Yee, 2004) KM, subject headings (Hodge, 2000; Walsh, 2010; Wiggins, 2007) taxonomy, ontology (Urs and Angrosh, 2008) and social tagging (Allam, 2010). Some LIS schools offer advanced courses, both core and elective, which are devoted solely to KO, using the schemes such as classification, subject headings, Machine-Readable (MARC)-based cataloging and metadata.…”

“…Subject headings provide concepts that are more specific (Hodge, 2000). The purpose of these headings is to provide subject access points to bibliographic records included in library catalogs (Walsh, 2010; Wiggins, 2007). Medical Subject Headings are used for indexing the largest health database of MEDLINE (Newman et al , 2009).…”

Analyzing Digital Collections Entrances: What Gets Used and Why It Matters

“…Likewise, according to Walsh, a study conducted by the University of Alberta found more than forty percent of collections reviewed used a locally developed classification for indexing and searching their collections, and many of these schemes could work well for searches within the collection by users who are familiar with the culture of the collection. 28 Usage-data analysis can constitute useful information that guides decisions for building digital collections that better serve user needs. It can identify a library's digital collections' users and what they want.…”