-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Assigning subject headings to GIS data sets
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:59:16 -0400 (EDT)
From: Paige G Andrew <[log in to unmask]>
To: Air Photo Maps, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship <[log in to unmask]>


Jennifer,

This has been a topic of discussion off and on for many years, in
particular because of the lack of appropriate topical headings or
subdivisions, and conversely very strict usage guidelines for things
that were established, such as the "Databases" one (please pay attention
to scope notes in authority records for this and other headings). But,
there has been some improvement on this front in recent months as it
applies to form/genre headings -- not necessarily subject headings or
subdivisions.

So, if you are already employing the 655 field for f/g headings, here's
a list of headings that might help in your instance of need:

Geodatabases
Geographic information systems
Geospatial data
Raster data
Vector data

And one thing you are correct about, the cataloger needs to know or find
out if the content of the database is primarily data or primarily
cartographic content, and then make appropriate subject
headings/subdivisions and/or form/genre headings choices. An obvious
example is that if you open a dataset and you don't find any
cartographic images as a part of it, then one would not apply the
subdivision "Maps" to any heading being used.

Paige

----- Original Message -----
From: "Angie Cope, American Geographical Society Library, UW Milwaukee"
<[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 8:41:52 AM
Subject: Assigning subject headings to GIS data sets

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Assigning subject headings to GIS data sets
Date:   Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:26:23 +0000
From:   Liss, Jennifer Ann <[log in to unmask]>
To:     [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>



Hello,

I wondered if anyone on the list could point me to a best practice (or
offer a local practice) for applying subject headings to GIS data sets.
In particular, I've seen a lot of variation in the application of LCSH
form subdivisions.  There seems to be three approaches:

Bloomington (Ind.) $v Maps.

or

Bloomington (Ind.) $v Maps.

Bloomington (Ind.) $v Databases.

or

Bloomington (Ind.) $v Maps $v Databases.

I suppose I’m getting stuck on the idea that data sets on a CD-ROM are
neither maps nor databases, at least not without some other application
mediating that data.  Any thoughts are appreciated!

Best,

Jennifer (and Heiko Muhr, Maps & Special Collections Cataloger)

Jennifer A. Liss
Metadata/Cataloging Librarian
Indiana University Libraries

Herman B Wells Library E350
1320 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, IN 47405-3907
phone 812.856.7859  •  fax 812.855.7933

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