Pattern Headings

To cut down on the number of pages needed in the subject heading books, for some categories of subject headings (i.e. country, state, city, diseases, authors, languages, industries, animals, etc.) one example of each heading is chosen to be the pattern heading. This list of pattern headings is in the introduction to LCSH.

A standardized set of subdivisions is developed for each category of heading. These are listed in complete form under the pattern heading. If a cataloger is using a subject that fits one of the categories of pattern headings, the pattern heading can be consulted for possible subdivisions to use with any heading of that type. The subdivisions are listed under the pattern heading, but can be used under each heading fitting that category in LCSH. Not all of the possible options under a category of subject headings are listed in LCSH. If they were, the complete subject heading list would expand to many more volumes. Part of the reason for having pattern headings is to show an example of how a particular heading should be done, and then leave it to the cataloger to determine which of that type of headings is needed in her/his library.  The following page shows what some of these categories and pattern headings are.

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