FAST:Faceted Application of Subject Terminology

Edward T. O'Neill,OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.

Subject Metadata from the Other SideASIST 2002, Philadelphia, PANovember 21, 2002

Schema Requirements

Suitable for metadata,

Simple—usable by non-catalogers and in non-library environments,

Semantic interoperability enabling users to search across discipline boundaries.

OCLC

ALCTS/SAC

Synergy

Library of Congress

OCLC Team

Lynn El-HoshyLois Mai Chan

Options for Metadata

We were limited to three basic choices in selecting an indexing/subject heading schema for metadata:

The use an existing schema(s),

Adapt or modify an existing schema,

Develop new schema(s).

We elected to adapt the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)

Advantages of LCSH

Rich vocabulary covering all subject areas,

It has the strong institutional support of the Library of Congress,

Synonym and homograph control,

Has been extensively used by libraries, contained in millions of bibliographic records,

Has a long and well-documented history.

Card Format

LCSH was originally created for card catalogs—a 3x5 card environment,

Cards required

pre-coordinated

vocabulary,

Cards restrict

the limits number

of entries.

LCSH was originally created for card catalogs—a 3x5 card environment,

Cards required

pre-coordinated

vocabulary,

Cards restrict

the limits number

of entries.

Objective of FAST Project

Develop a new subject heading schema by faceting LCSH that:

Is easy to use, understand, and maintain, Is suitable for metadata, Minimizes the construction of headings, Simplifies the syntax, Retains the richness of the vocabulary, Is upwardly compatible with LCSH.

8 Facets

Topical

Personal Names

Corporate Names

Conference/Meetings

Uniform Titles

Geographic

—

Form (Genre)

Chronological

FACET: TopicalFACET: Topical

LCSH main headings from topical headings (650),

All associated general ($x) subdivisions from any type of LCSH heading,

Period subdivisions containing topical aspects from any type of LCSH heading,

Hierarchy (Subdivisions) is retained within facets.

FAST: Topical Headings

Industrial project management—Data processingColombian poetryBlacksmithing—HistoryEpic literature—History and criticismPets and travelQuartets (Pianos (2), percussion)Natural gas pipelines—Economic aspectsSchool psychologistsBlood banksLoudspeakers—Design and construction

Geographic name will be established and applied in indirect order, [Ohio—Columbus not Columbus (Ohio)],

First level geographic names will be limited to names from the Geographic Area Codes table (e.g., Ohio, France, Great Lakes, etc.) Other names will be entered as subdivisions under the smallest first level name in which it is fully contained (North America—Maya Forest)

Geographic Area Codes will be added to all authority records for geographic names,

Information from the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) including feature type, county, latitude, and longitude will be added to geographic authority records.

FACET: GeographicFACET: Geographic

Example of FacetingExample of Faceting

LCSH Topical Heading:

Architecture, Modern $y20th century

$z Illinois $z Chicago $v Guidebooks.

Derived FAST Headings:

Architecture, Modern (Topical)

Illinois $z Chicago (Geographic)

1900-1999 (Chronological)

Guidebooks (Form)

Authorities

A proposal to modify the MARC 21 bibliographic and authority formats to accommodate FAST has been approved by MARBI, Authority records will be created for all FAST headings except chronological— chronological authorities will be created only when required for references, Approximately 2 million FAST authority records will be created in Phase I.

FAST Geographic Authority Record

Summary

LCSH Vocabulary,

Faceted,

Hierarchical,

Headings will be fully established,

Compatible with LCSH.

LCSH Vocabulary,

Faceted,

Hierarchical,

Headings will be fully established,

Compatible with LCSH.

Questions?

wcp.oclc.org/FASToneill@oclc.org