Definition |
A name, title, term, or phrase used as a subject access point. Subject access points are assigned to a bibliographic record to provide access according to established subject cataloging principles and guidelines. Use to describe the content of the cataloged resource. Genre/form terms describe what a cataloged resource is, not what it is about. Refer to Personal Names--General Information for information about personal name subject access points; refer to Corporate Names--General Information for information about corporate name subject access points; refer to Meeting Names--General Information for information about meeting name subject access points; refer to Preferred Titles--General Information for information about preferred title subject access points. OCLC also makes available nonstandard MARC fields to use for additional subject access points not supported by cataloging rules. Enter information in fields 696, 697, 698, or 699 as you would in corresponding standard MARC fields. These fields do not remain in the WorldCat record. They are retained in the record displayed during the editing session, the exported record, and records delivered via other services. For information about 6xx fields not covered on this page, refer to field 653 for information about uncontrolled index terms; refer to field 655 for information about genre/form index terms; refer to field 656 for information about occupation index terms; refer to field 657 for information about function index terms; refer to field 658 for information about curriculum objective index terms. For information on punctuation, see the Punctuation section below. |
Guidelines |
Use the 6xx fields to provide subject access entries and terms. Most of the 6xx fields contain subject added entries or access terms based on the authority files or lists identified in the 2nd indicator or in subfield ǂ2. If you are creating full-level records, add subject access points for resources that normally require subject access points. If you are inputting minimal-level records, optionally add subject access points. You are encouraged to enter at least one subject access point. The Library of Congress has established guidelines for tagging certain corporate bodies and preferred titles. These guidelines and lists of problematic access points are occasionally updated and are available in MARC 21, Appendix E - Alphabetical List of Ambiguous Headings. Consult these guidelines when constructing these access points. Special geographic guidelines:
The terms Developing countries and Developed countries are treated as geographic names under Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and as topical terms under Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
| 651 |
|
0 |
Developing countries ǂx Economic conditions |
| 650 |
|
2 |
Developing countries ǂx economics |
A geographic name based on a corporate name is treated as a geographic subdivision coded subfield ǂz when used as a subject subdivision
| 610 |
2 |
0 |
European Free Trade Association |
| 651 |
|
0 |
European Free Trade Association countries |
| 650 |
|
0 |
Agriculture ǂx Economic aspects ǂz European Free Trade Association countries |
For subfields ǂv, ǂx, ǂy, and ǂz use the following guidelines:
Treat the word States as a general subdivision coded subfield ǂx
| 650 |
|
0 |
Finance, Public ǂz United States ǂx States |
Chronological subdivisions qualify a subject in terms of time. You may use dates as a subdivision for this purpose. However, if you use dates to identify a specific occurrence of an event and do not qualify the subject in terms of time, treat the subdivision as a general subdivision coded subfield ǂx instead.
| 610 |
1 |
0 |
United States. ǂb Army ǂx History ǂy Civil War, 1861-1865 |
| 651 |
|
0 |
Oregon (Ill.) ǂx Census, 1990 |
Treat subdivisions that qualify a subject in terms of the time in which items were written as form subdivisions coded subfield ǂv. Chronological subdivisions coded subfield ǂy apply to the subject itself. In the following examples, the first entry applies to items written before 1800 about art of any period. The second entry applies to works 17th century art whenever they were written.
| 650 |
|
0 |
Art ǂv Early works to 1800 |
| 650 |
|
0 |
Art, Modern ǂy 17th century ǂx History |
AbbreviationsUsual practice is to spell out all subject entries; however, you should not spell out the following subject entries:
Certain names used as parenthetical qualifiers following corporate names
| 610 |
2 |
0 |
National Research Council (U.S.) |
Abbreviations that are integral parts of corporate names
| 610 |
2 |
0 |
U.S.-Ukraine Foundation |
Certain jurisdictional names following geographic place names
See the LC Subject Headings Manual for more information about abbreviations. |
1st Indicator |
The definition of the 1st indicator position is specific to each field. |
| 647, 648, 651, 662, 688, 691 |
Undefined. The 1st indicator position is undefined and contains a blank. |
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Undefined |
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| 650, 654, 690 |
Level of subject. The level of the subject entry. Use the 1st indicator to distinguish primary and secondary descriptors. |
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No information provided. No information as to the level of the subject term is provided.
| 650 |
|
0 |
Architecture, Modern ǂy 19th century |
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| 0 |
No level specified. The level of the subject term could be determined, but is not specified. |
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| 1 |
Primary. A subject covers the main focus or subject content of the material.
| 650 |
1 |
2 |
Cardiovascular Physiology |
| 650 |
1 |
7 |
Career Exploration ǂ2 ericd |
|
|
| |
| 2 |
Secondary. A subject covers a less important aspect of the content of the material.
| 650 |
2 |
2 |
Carbon Monoxide ǂx metabolism |
| 650 |
2 |
7 |
Food Service ǂ2 ericd |
| 650 |
2 |
7 |
Junior High Schools ǂ2 ericd |
| 650 |
2 |
7 |
Simulation ǂ2 ericd |
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|
2nd Indicator |
The definition of the 2nd indicator position is specific to each field. |
| 654, 662 |
Undefined. The 2nd indicator position is undefined and contains a blank. |
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Undefined |
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| 647, 648, 650, 651, 688, 690, 691 |
Thesaurus. The thesaurus or subject heading system used in constructing the subject heading. Note: The previous practice for indicating the source of a genre heading was to use 2nd indicator value 7 and identify the MARC code for the source list in subfield ǂ2. Under current practice, in addition to value 7, specific thesauri are now identified with 2nd indicator values. Prefer use of 2nd indicator values 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6 when codes lcsh, cyac (formerly lcac), mesh, nal, cash, or rvm in subfield ǂ2 would convey the same information. Prefer use of 2nd indicator value 4 instead of value 7 and subfield ǂ2 local. |
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No information provided. No information is provided as to the thesaurus or subject heading system used. [688, 690, 691] |
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| 0 |
Library of Congress Subject Headings. The formulation of the subject added entry conforms to Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). This includes:
- Topical headings (or topical headings and subdivisions) found in the LC subject authority file or in the latest edition of LCSH, including the latest supplements
- Topical headings found in the LC subject authority file or in the latest edition of LCSH to which is added a free-floating or regular subdivision according to the rules stated in the Subject Headings Manual, particularly subdivisions listed in the pattern lists and geographic subdivisions
- Topical headings not printed in LCSH in the past, but which have been used by LC and which are not likely to have changed (e.g., names of chemical compounds)
- Certain music headings with qualifiers specifying instruments or vocal parts when the main heading has a general scope note printed in LCSH, with or without a general see also reference
Use of value 0 requires that the added entry is appropriate for use in LCSH. |
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| |
| 1 |
LC subject headings for children's literature. The formulation of the subject added entry conforms to the "Children's and Young Adults Subject Headings" section of Library of Congress Subject Headings. Use of value 1 requires that the added entry is appropriate for use in the Children's and Young Adults Cataloging Program. |
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| 2 |
Medical Subject Headings. The formulation of the subject added entry conforms to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) authority files. Use of value 2 requires that the added entry is appropriate for use in the NLM authority files. |
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| 3 |
National Agricultural Library subject authority file. The formulation of the subject added entry conforms to the National Agricultural Library (NAL) subject authority file. Use of value 3 requires that the added entry is appropriate for use in the NAL authority files. |
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| 4 |
Source not specified. The formulation of the subject added entry conforms to a controlled list, but the source cannot be specified by one of the thesaurus or subject heading systems covered by the other 2nd indicator values or by a code for a specific subject heading list in subfield ǂ2. Use field 653 to record terms that are not derived from controlled subject heading lists. |
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| 5 |
Canadian Subject Headings. The formulation of the subject added entry conforms to the Canadian Subject Headings. Use of value 5 requires that the added entry is appropriate for use in Canadian Subject Headings. |
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| 6 |
Répertoire de vedettes-matière. Subject access point conforms to the Répertoire de vedettes-matière that is maintained by the Bibliothèque de l'Université Laval and/or French name authority files maintained by libraries in Canada. |
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| 7 |
Source specified in subfield ǂ2. Subject headings or terms based on other subject authorities (i.e., on authorities other than those listed here). Identify the source in subfield ǂ2. |
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Subfields |
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| ǂa Named event [647] |
Name of an event which cannot be regarded as a responsible agent. Enter parenthetical qualifying information associated with the term other than date and place in subfield ǂa.
| 647 |
|
7 |
Bunker Hill, Battle of ǂc (Boston, Massachusetts : ǂd 1775) ǂ2 fast ǂ0 (OCoLC)fst01710024 |
|
| ǂa Chronological term [648] |
A chronological name used as an entry element for a topical term. Enter parenthetical qualifying information associated with the term also in subfield ǂa.
|
| ǂa Topical term or geographic name as entry element [650, 690] |
A topical subject or geographic name used as an entry element for a topical term. Enter parenthetical qualifying information associated with the term also in subfield ǂa.
| 650 |
|
0 |
Racetracks (Horse racing) |
|
| ǂa Geographic name [651, 691] |
A geographic name. Enter parenthetical qualifying information also in subfield ǂa. Enter parenthetical qualifying information associated with the term also in subfield ǂa.
|
| ǂa Focus term [654] |
A term which is considered the focus term. A focus term is the activity, being, object, or concept forming the basis of the index entry. Repeat subfield ǂa when there is more than one expression in the field.
| 654 |
|
|
ǂc m ǂb limestone ǂ2 aat |
|
| ǂa Country or larger entity [662] |
The name of a country or a larger political jurisdiction. Subfield ǂa also contains the names of geographical areas/entities such as continents or hemispheres at a country level or higher. Subfield ǂa may be repeated for hierarchies when multiple levels are given, retaining the order highest-to-lowest.
|
| ǂa Name, title, or term [688] |
An unspecified name, title, or term.
| 688 |
|
7 |
Venus ǂ0 (DE-2581)TH000006586 ǂ2 gbd |
|
| ǂb Topical term following geographic name as entry element [650, 690] |
A topical term that is entered under a geographic name in subfield ǂa. Subfield ǂb is unlikely to be used in field 650. |
| ǂb Non-focus term [654] |
A term other than the focus term. |
| ǂb First-order political jurisdiction [662] |
The name of a first-order political jurisdiction or division and, depending on the country, including the names of states, provinces, territories, départements, etc.
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| ǂb Geographic element following geographic name [691] |
An additional geographic element following the name in subfield ǂa. |
| ǂc Location of named event [647] |
Place name or a name of an institution where a named event occurred. Multiple adjacent locations are contained in repeated subfields ǂc.
| 647 |
|
7 |
Coal Strike ǂc (Great Britain : ǂd 1984-1985) ǂ2 fast ǂ0 (OCoLC)fst00865219 |
|
| ǂc Location of an event [650, 690] |
The location at which an event occurred. |
| ǂc Facet/hierarchy designation [654] |
A designation identifying the facet/hierarchy designation for each term found in subfields ǂa and ǂb. The designations and their associated facets/hierarchies are found in the thesaurus identified in subfield ǂ2. The designation in subfield ǂc always precedes the data to which it is associated. |
| ǂc Intermediate political jurisdiction [662] |
The name of a second-order or lower political jurisdiction or division, not including towns or cities, and, depending on the country, including the names of counties, islands, municipalities, prefectures, regions, etc. Subfield ǂc may be repeated for hierarchies when multiple levels are given, retaining the order highest-to-lowest.
| 662 |
|
|
ǂb Ontario ǂc Essex ǂd Windsor ǂ2 cgnbd |
|
| ǂd Date of named event [647] |
Date or time period related to a named event.
| 647 |
|
7 |
Hurricane Katrina ǂd (2005) ǂ2 fast ǂ0 (OCoLC)fst01755264 |
|
| ǂd Active dates [650, 690] |
The time during which an event occurred.
| 690 |
|
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Ardennes (France), Battle of the, ǂd 1944-1945 |
|
| ǂd City [662] |
The name of a city or town.
| 662 |
|
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Japan ǂg Kanto (region) ǂc Tokyo (metropolis) ǂd Tokyo (inhabited place) ǂf Shibuya ǂ2 tgn |
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| ǂe Relator term [650, 651, 654, 662, 688, 690] |
A term that specifies the relationship between the topical heading and the described materials, e.g., subject.
| 690 |
|
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Unicorns, ǂe depicted |
|
| ǂf City subsection [662] |
The name of a smaller unit within a populated place, e.g., neighborhoods, parks, or streets.
| 662 |
|
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United States ǂb California ǂc Los Angeles (County) ǂd Los Angeles ǂf Little Tokyo ǂ2 tgn |
|
| ǂg Miscellaneous information [647, 650, 651, 688, 690, 691] |
Data element that is not more appropriately contained in another defined subfield.
| 651 |
|
7 |
Deutschland ǂg Bundesrepublik ǂ0 (DE-588)4011889-7 ǂ2 gnd |
|
| ǂg Other nonjurisdictional geographic region and feature [662] |
The name of a terrestrial nonjurisdictional geographic entity, e.g., rivers, lakes, islands, mountains, etc. Subfield ǂg may be repeated for hierarchies when multiple levels are given, retaining the order highest-to-lowest.
| 662 |
|
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Africa ǂg Nile River ǂg Sixth Cataract ǂ2 tgn |
|
| ǂh Extraterrestrial area [662] |
The name of any extraterrestrial entity or space and includes solar systems, galaxies, star systems, planets, as well as geographic features of individual planets, etc. Subfield ǂh may be repeated for hierarchies when multiple levels are given, retaining the order highest-to-lowest.
| 662 |
|
|
ǂh Mars ǂh Valles Marineris ǂ2 [MARC code for Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature] |
|
| ǂv Form subdivision [All except 662] |
A specific kind or genre of material defined by the thesaurus being used. Use only when a form subject subdivision is added to a main term. Use subfield ǂv also for form terms when they function as indicated above. Use subfield ǂx if the terms function as general subdivisions. A form subdivision in subfield ǂv is generally the last subfield in the field. Repeat subfield ǂv if you use more than one form subdivision.
| 600 |
0 |
0 |
Constantius, ǂc Saint, Bishop of Perugia, ǂd -170 ǂv Bibliography ǂv Early works to 1800 |
| 610 |
2 |
0 |
Google (Firm) ǂv Fiction |
| 611 |
2 |
0 |
Council of Constance ǂd (1414-1418 : ǂc Konstanz, Germany) ǂv Early works to 1800 ǂv Facsimiles |
| 630 |
0 |
0 |
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Motion picture) ǂv Computer games |
| 650 |
|
0 |
Dentistry ǂv Juvenile films |
| 650 |
|
7 |
Women tea-trade executives ǂz London, England ǂv Fiction ǂ2 henn |
| 651 |
|
0 |
Salem (Mass.) ǂv Fiction |
|
| ǂx General subdivision [All except 654, 662] |
A subject subdivision that is not more appropriately contained in subfield ǂv, ǂy, or ǂz. Use subfield ǂx only when a general topical subdivision is added to a main term.
| 600 |
1 |
0 |
Shelley, Percy Bysshe, ǂd 1792-1822 ǂx Psychology ǂv Fiction |
| 610 |
1 |
0 |
United States. ǂb Federal Emergency Management Agency ǂx Appropriations and expenditures ǂx Management |
| 611 |
2 |
0 |
Olympic Games ǂn (24th : ǂd 1988 : ǂc Seoul, Korea) ǂx Music |
| 630 |
0 |
0 |
Wizard of Oz (Motion picture : 1939) ǂx Production and direction ǂv Chronology |
| 650 |
|
0 |
Racetracks (Horse racing) ǂz United States ǂx History |
| 651 |
|
0 |
Aix-en-Provence (France) ǂx Social life and customs ǂv Early works to 1800 |
|
| ǂy Chronological subdivision [All except 662] |
A subject subdivision that represents a period of time. Use only when a chronological subject subdivision is added to a main term.
| 600 |
1 |
0 |
Joyce, James, ǂd 1882-1941 ǂx Criticism and interpretation ǂx History ǂy 20th century |
| 610 |
1 |
0 |
United States. ǂb Army. ǂb Cavalry ǂx History ǂy Civil War, 1861-1865 ǂv Maps |
| 611 |
2 |
0 |
Derby (Horse race) ǂx History ǂy 21st century |
| 630 |
0 |
0 |
Arabian nights ǂx History ǂy 20th century |
| 650 |
|
0 |
Architecture, Modern ǂy 19th century |
| 651 |
|
0 |
Greece ǂx History ǂy Geometric period, ca. 900-700 B.C. |
|
| ǂz Geographic subdivision [All except 662] |
A geographic subject subdivision. Use only when a geographic subject subdivision is added to a main term.
| 600 |
3 |
0 |
Dalton family ǂx Homes and haunts ǂz Kansas ǂz Meade |
| 610 |
2 |
0 |
Suomen evankelis-luterilainen kirkko ǂz Finland ǂz Helsinki Region ǂv Case studies |
| 611 |
2 |
0 |
Olympic Games ǂn (28th : ǂd 2004 : ǂc Athens, Greece) ǂx Press coverage ǂz Germany |
| 630 |
0 |
0 |
Qurʼan ǂx Publication and distribution ǂz Saudi Arabia |
| 650 |
|
0 |
Real property ǂz Mississippi ǂz Tippah County ǂv Maps |
| 651 |
|
0 |
Japan ǂx Foreign relations ǂz Korea (South) |
|
| ǂ0 Authority record control number or standard number [647, 648, 650, 651, 654, 662, 688] |
For information about subfield ǂ0, see Control Subfields. |
| ǂ1 Real World Object URI [All fields] |
For information about subfield ǂ1, see Control Subfields.
| 600 |
1 |
0 |
Becker, Sophia Colette, ǂd 1992- ǂ1 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1404-1033 |
| 610 |
2 |
0 |
A. Baĭtūrsynov atyndaghy Tīl bīlīmī instituty ǂ1 https://isni.org/isni/0000000093474109 |
|
| ǂ2 Source of heading or term [All fields] |
A MARC code that identifies the source list from which the heading in a subject added entry was assigned. Use only when the 2nd indicator value is 7. See Subject Heading and Term Source Codes.
| 600 |
0 |
7 |
Christina, ǂc Queen of Sweden, ǂd 1626-1689 ǂ2 fast ǂ0 (OCoLC)fst01427275 |
| 610 |
1 |
7 |
España. ǂb Ejército ǂx Historia ǂ2 bidex |
| 611 |
2 |
7 |
Congress of Vienna ǂd (1814-1815) ǂ2 sears |
| 630 |
0 |
7 |
North American Free Trade Agreement ǂ2 henn |
| 647 |
|
7 |
Eruption of Mount Saint Helens ǂc (Washington : ǂd 1980) ǂ2 fast ǂ0 (OCoLC)fst01353018 |
| 650 |
|
7 |
Acoustic measurement ǂ2 test |
| 651 |
|
7 |
New York (N.Y.) ǂ2 ericd |
| 654 |
|
|
ǂc v ǂa bibliographies ǂ2 aat |
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| ǂ3 Materials specified [647, 648, 650, 651, 654, 688, 690, 691] |
For information about subfield ǂ3, see Control Subfields. |
| ǂ4 Relationship [650, 651, 654, 662, 688] |
For information about subfield ǂ4, see Control Subfields. |
| ǂ6 Linkage [All fields] |
Data that link fields when non-Latin script is entered. This subfield is system supplied and does not appear in OCLC online displays. Do not manually add subfield ǂ6. For more information about subfield ǂ6, see Control Subfields. |
| ǂ7 Data provenance [All fields] |
For information about subfield ǂ7, see Control Subfields. |
| ǂ8 Field link and sequence number [All fields] |
For information about subfield ǂ8, see Control Subfields. |
| ǂ9 Special entry [690, 691, 696, 697, 698, 699] |
For information about subfield ǂ9, see Control Subfields. |
Punctuation |
For more information on punctuation, including OCLC policy, see section 2.8, Punctuation. |
Indexing |
For indexing and searching information, see Searching WorldCat Indexes, 6xx fields. |
MARC 21 |
For more information, including content designator history, see MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data, 6xx. |
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