Subject Determination during the Cataloging Process

A dissection of the subject cataloguing process, seeking to answer the question, "How do cataloguers determine or identify the topic of a document and choose the appropriate subject description?" The investigation encompasses the work of 12 subject cataloguers.
It is during the subject determination process that the critical terms are created that link any given document to its audience, the information seeker. Perhaps it is rational that subject cataloging should itself be subjective, but, in fact, subject catalogers create and use processes that assist them in assigning classification numbers and subject headings. The process of subject determination, however, is little understood outside the cataloging department. Sauperl dissects the subject cataloging process, seeking to answer the question, "How do catalogers determine or identify the topic of a document and choose the appropriate subject description?" Her investigation encompasses the work of twelve subject catalogers, examining how they understand and employ standards to create subject representation, as well as what unwritten rules and practices they use during the process. An enlightening explanation of how the critical terms are created that link a document to its audience. Unlike other texts on the topic, Subject Determination addresses the cognitive processes that lie behind the application of cataloging rules. It will assist cataloging students and practicing catalogers gain a better understanding of their craft. More broadly, it is intended for a wide audience of librarians and information scientists for whom a better understanding of subject determination will assist with search methodologies and information retrieval in a variety of environments.

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