The Sears List of Subject Headings, an outstanding name amongst subject headings lists, is used all over the world in small and medium sized libraries. It has constantly been revised and kept up to date, both in its methods and contents, by incorporating new subjects and updated organizational machinery. Being handy, simple, inexpensive and always current, the Sears List is a convenient choice for teaching subject headings work in library schools. User's Guide to Sears List of Subject Headings, 2nd Edition is a companion book which, although based on the 222nd edition of the Sears List, should also be useful to the libraries using some previous edition. It attempts to explain the theoretical foundations, history and application of the Sears List as well as of the subject headings work ion general. It explicates the various hidden potentials of the system to construct subject headings needed for local situations. The object of this small, practical introduction is to be simple, clear and illustrative. The book assumes no prior knowledge either of the Sears List or of subject headings work in general. It is a manual for beginners to understand the importance of vocabulary control, the process of subject analysis, the structure and organization of the Sears List, and the methods to locate, specify and construct subject headings and provide cross references for the public catalogue. Subject headings in the complex areas of languages, literatures, biographical and geographical works are given a chapter each. Review questions and exercises conclude most chapters. A bibliography and glossary are valuable features of this work
Industry Reviews
User's Guide to Sears List of Subject Headings is a manual to the significantly updated 22nd edition of Sears. This practical handbook for catalogers is packed with examples and step-by-step instructions for applying the procedures and methods of Sears in any classification or content form. New chapters have been added to instruct readers to effectively use the Sears online database platform and to apply current MARC coding in subject fields. Providing clear-cut explanations about the changes found in the 22nd edition, User's Guide to Sears List of Subject Headings is an important companion tool that supports catalogers with practical procedures and examples in the dynamics of subject access cataloging. -- Marie Keen Shaw, program coordinator, Library Technology Certificate, Three Rivers Community College, Norwich, CT
Comprehensive in scope and thorough in coverage this expert guide offers historic information, theoretical explanations and practical advice for the understanding and use of the 22nd edition of the Sears List of Subject Headings. Indispensable for any librarian working in a Sears-based environment. -- Marie Kelsey, Ph.D., Library Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison