More on Subdivisions

As indicated by the "v" in the second column in the example are:

    SLIDES
    SOFTWARE
    SONGS AND MUSIC

These subdivisions would be used with topical headings to indicate the actual form of the library item, for example:

    WHALES—SLIDES
    COOKERY, AMERICAN—SOFTWARE
    WEST (U.S.)—SONGS AND MUSIC.

The other four types of free-floating subdivision lists found in Free-floating Subdivisions and in the Subject Cataloging Manual are topical subdivisions:

     (1) to be used under classes of persons and ethnic groups,
     (2) to be used under names of individual corporate bodies, persons and families,
     (3) to be used under place names, and
     (4) those controlled by pattern headings.

The various lists of subdivisions for groups of people and personal and place names can be very helpful for a library with sizable collections in biography, literature, genealogy and history. Many times names of persons or places are used as subject headings and need the further clarification of subdivisions to aid the user in understanding the focus of the library material. The list of subdivisions controlled by pattern headings further explains and defines the entries listed under the pattern headings that were discussed earlier.

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