Why I Will Always Teach LCSH: Helping Information Seekers Interpret the Meaning of Digital Records

By:
Rebecca Feind
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Longitudinal studies indicate the need for a holistic understanding of how people seek information to better inform how database systems are designed, implemented, and taught. This holistic approach should be extended to patrons' conceptualization of what databases are searching, especially in databases of library holdings. While the system of Library of Congress Subject Headings was initially implemented in a paper based system, these same headings are being employed in an electronic environment, yet most database searchers have not been introduced to the meaning and structure of that controlled vocabulary. Specific examples of the conflict between natural language searching and LCSH will be addressed, with emphasis given to effectively promoting instruction for controlled vocabulary searching so that each book will have its reader, every reader his or her book.


Keywords: Information Retrieval, Monograph Records, Library Users, Library Work
Stream: Information Society, and Print and Electronic Texts
Presentation Type: 30 minute Paper Presentation in English
Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted.

Rebecca Feind

Associate Professor, Dr. Marting Luther King, Jr. Library, San Jose State University
UNITED STATES

Twelve years experience as a humanities/social sciences reference librarian. Significant experience with library instruction. Influenced by the research of Constance Mellon and Carol Collier Kuhlthau regarding how information seekers pursue and experience the information seeking process.

Ref: B06P0004