What is LCSH?
“The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is perhaps the most widely adopted subject indexing language in the world, has been translated into many languages, and is used around the world by libraries large and small. LCSH has been actively maintained since 1898 to catalog materials held at the Library of Congress.” (https://www.loc.gov/aba/cataloging/subject/)
Does LCSH ever change?
Yes, it has to, since a lot has changed in our world since LCSH started in 1898. There is a well-established process for changes: terms are proposed by catalogers at the Library of Congress and by catalogers at other libraries. Proposals must include references to sources establishing a proposed term’s usage and must conform to established syntax and semantics. These proposed terms and updates are reviewed monthly by the Policy and Standards Division at the Library of Congress. Each proposal is either approved and published or rejected. Rejected proposals may be accompanied by recommended revisions for the proposal to be resubmitted.
While a number of proposals are rejected each month, even more are accepted. Some examples of subject terms that have changed over time:
Cooking and Cookbooks (two separate terms) that used to both be represented by the now arcane term Cookery.
African Americans, previously Afro-Americans, which was previously Negroes
Pacific geoduck, previously Geoduck
Has the Policy and Standards Division (PSD) ever been overruled?
Despite PSD’s authority to curate the LCSH, on one occasion in the LCSH’s more than 120 year history Congress overruled the PSD. In 2016 it mandated the use of the heading illegal aliens despite the profession’s and the PSD’s intention to change it.
Why change the term Illegal aliens?
This terminology was established in 1980. Today it is considered a term that is legally inaccurate. A person who commits an illegal act does not become illegal. It is also considered dehumanizing; many people think of extraterrestrial beings when they hear the word alien. Most scholars and writers use the term undocumented immigrants.
What terms might we use instead?
The American Library Association recommends replacing Illegal aliens with Undocumented immigrants. These terms are slightly different from those originally proposed by the Library Congress. The ALA recommendation is a straightforward, one-to-one change and aligns with the terminology our users are likely to use.
Are libraries obligated to use the subject headings as defined by LCSH?
Yes and no. Most local library catalogs, including Cornell’s, are capable of using local variants, but national and international systems ignore these and only use the LCSH as codified. Several libraries have adapted the local variant undocumented immigrants and Cornell is taking the same step.
Are there other problematic and contested terms used in LCSH?
Yes, as there are constant shifts in how language is used and how we understand our world. The Policy and Standards Division at the Library of Congress is well-positioned to curate the LCSH on behalf of the library community, especially when the process is free of political interference.