DEFINITION
Information about a named iconographical, literary, mythological,
or religious character, animal, theme, or story, or a named
historical or fictional event. It may also contain information
about a named structure, particularly if the structure is
not cataloged separately as an work in its own right.
SUBCATEGORIES
31.1. Subject Authority Record Type
31.2. Subject Name 
31.2.1. Preference
31.2.2. Name Type
31.2.3. Name Qualifier
31.2.4. Name Language
31.2.5. Historical Flag
31.2.6. Display Name Flag
31.2.7. Other Name Flags
31.2.8. Name Source
31.2.8.1. Page
31.2.9. Name Date
31.2.9.1. Earliest Date
31.2.9.2. Latest Date
31.3. Subject Date
31.3.1. Earliest Date
31.3.2. Latest Date
31.4. Subject Roles/Attributes
31.4.1. Preference
31.4.2. Role Date
31.4.2.1. Earliest Date
31.4.2.2. Latest Date
31.5. Related Subject
31.5.1. Subject Relationship Type
31.5.2. Subject Relationship Date
31.5.2.1. Earliest Date
31.5.2.2. Latest Date
31.6. Subject Broader Context
31.6.1. Broader Context Date
31.6.1.1. Earliest Date
31.6.1.2. Latest Date
31.7. Related Place/Location
31.7.1. Place Relationship Type
31.8. Related Person/Corporate Body
31.8.1 Person Relationship Type
31.9. Related Generic Concept
31.9.1. Concept Relationship Type
31.10. Subject Label/Identification
31.11. Subject Descriptive Note
31.11.1. Note Source
31.11.1.1. Page
31.12. Remarks
31.13. Citations
31.13.1. Page
31.14. Subject Authority Record ID
Examples
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Included in this authority are iconographical subjects and
other named subject matter of works of art (sometimes referred
to as content), which is the narrative, iconic, or
non-objective meaning conveyed by an abstract or a figurative
composition. It is what is depicted in and by a work of art
or architecture. This authority is used for the SUBJECT MATTER
category of the work record. This authority also contains
records for events and structures that may be used in the
SUBJECT MATTER category as well as in the CONTEXT category.
Structures may also be cataloged separately as works in their
own right, with all the subcategories available in an work
record.
Note that the SUBJECT MATTER category of the work record
will be linked not only to the SUBJECT AUTHORITY, but also
to other authorities; subjects described with the names of
places or people should be taken from the PERSON/CORPORATE
BODY AUTHORITY and the PLACE/LOCATION AUTHORITY (e.g., Rome,
Italy). Subjects described by generic terms that are not
proper nouns should be taken from the GENERIC CONCEPT AUTHORITY
(e.g., cathedral, still life, landscape). If a term
or name is recorded in one of these other authorities, it
does not need to be repeated here.
Iconography
The SUBJECT AUTHORITY may be used to record iconography,
which is the narrative content of a figurative work depicted
in terms of characters, situations, and images that are related
to a specific religious, social, or historical context. Themes
from religion (e.g., Ganesha or Life of Jesus Christ)
and mythology (e.g., Herakles or Quetzalcóatl
(Feathered Serpent)) are within the scope of this authority.
Themes from literature (e.g., Jane Eyre or Lohengrin)
are also included.
Events
This authority may include records for historical events (e.g.,
Coronation of Charlemagne or US Westward Expansion).
Built works
This authority may include the proper names of buildings.
Note, however, that if buildings are the main subjects of
a given set of works, they should be recorded separately as
works in their own right.[1]
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Prefer the most authoritative, up-to-date sources available,
which may include the following, arranged according to preference:
Standard general reference sources
- major authoritative dictionaries and encyclopedia
- LC Subject Headings
Other authoritative sources
- other authoritative subject thesauri and controlled vocabularies
(e.g., ICONCLASS)
- textbooks on art history, history, or other relevant topics
Other material on pertinent topics
- books, journal articles, and newspaper articles
- archives, historical documents, and other original sources
(for historical terms only)
Other sources
- databases of contributors
- articles or databases on museum or university Web sites
Standard general sources include the following, arranged
in order of preference:
Iconographic Themes
- Garnier, François. Thesaurus iconographique
: système descriptif des représentations.
Paris: Léopard d'or, 1984.
- ICONCLASS (most useful for Western religious and
mythological subjects) http://www.iconclass.nl/.
- Narkiss, Bezalel, et al. Index of Jewish Art: Iconographical
Index of Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts. Jerusalem and
Paris: Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities: Institut
de recherche et d'histoire des textes, 1976-1988.
- Roberts, Helene E. ed. Encyclopedia of Comparative
Iconography: Themes Depicted in Works of Art. 2 vols.
Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn, 1998
- Stutley, Margaret. Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu
Iconography. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1985.
Fictional Characters
- Magill, Frank N. Cyclopedia of Literary Characters.
Revised Ed. Edited by A.J. Sobczak. Pasadena, California:
Salem Press, 1990-1998.
- Seymour-Smith, Martin. Dent Dictionary of Fictional
Characters. London: Orion Publishing Co., 1991.
Events
- Grun, Bernard. Timetables of History: Horizontal Linkage
of People and Events. 3rd ed. New York: Simon and Schuster,
1991.
- Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World
Dictionary. 2nd ed. Thompson, Sue Ellen and Helene Henderson,
compilers. Detroit, Michigan: Omnigraphics, 1997.
- Kohn, George Childs. Dictionary of Wars. Revised
ed. New York: Facts on File, 2000.
- Library of Congress Subject Headings. Library of
Congress Authorities. [online] Washington, DC: Library of
Congress. http://authorities.loc.gov/.
- Mellersh, H.E. L. and Neville Williams. Chronology
of World History. 4 vols. Santa Barbara, California:
ABC-CLIO, 1999.
Names of Buildings
- America Preserved: Checklist of Historic Buildings,
Structures, and Sites. 60th ed. Washington, DC: Library
of Congress, Cataloging Distribution Service, 1995.
- Avery Library. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals
at Columbia University. Boston: G.K. Hall & Co.;
Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Trust, 1994-
- Dictionary of Art. 34 vols. Jane Turner, ed. New
York: Grove, 1996, or by subscription at http://www.groveart.com/.
- Fletcher, Sir Banister. History of Architecture.
18th ed. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1975.
- Library of Congress Subject Headings. Library of
Congress Authorities. [online] Washington, DC: Library of
Congress. http://authorities.loc.gov/.
- Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects. Adolf K.
Placzek, ed. New York: Free Press; London: Collier Macmillan,
1982.
RELATED CATEGORIES and ACCESS
This authority may be used to control terminology in SUBJECT
MATTER and other categories of the work record. The names
for the entities and other information in this authority are
used for retrieval of the work records. Names should be accessible
by keywords and Boolean operators.[2]
Hierarchical relationships
If possible, this authority should be compliant with ISO and
NISO standards for thesauri; it should be structured as a
hierarchical, relational database.[3]
It should be polyhierarchical,
because the entities in the SUBJECT AUTHORITY often must have
multiple "parents" or broader contexts.
Associative relationships
Subjects may have "associative relationships," meaning they
are related non-hierarchically to other subjects.
Other relationships
Entities in the SUBJECT AUTHORITY may be linked to records
in the other three authorities, linking to the people, places,
and generic concepts associated with a particular subject.
For an explanation and discussion of thesauri, hierarchical
relationships, associative relationships, preferred terms,
"descriptors," and other issues regarding terminology, see
Introduction
to Vocabularies.
31.1. Subject Authority Record
Type
DEFINITION
A term indicating the general type of subject represented
in the authority record.
EXAMPLES
event
religion/mythology
literature
character/person
named animal
fictional place
built work
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: It is optional, but highly recommended,
to classify the subject record according to general types.
Form and syntax
Record the term in lower case. Avoid abbreviations. Record
terms in natural word order, not inverted. Do not use punctuation,
except hyphens, as required.
The following general types of subjects are appropriate:
- religion/mythology (e.g., a theme Adoration
of the Magi)
- literature (e.g., Wuthering Heights)
- character/person (a character, e.g., Zeus)
- named animal (a character, e.g., Peter Rabbit)
- event (whether real or fictional, e.g., Vietnam
War, Judgment of Paris)
- fictional place (legendary/imaginary/religious,
e.g., Garden of Eden)
- built work (e.g., Cathedral of Notre-Dame (Chartres,
France))
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Control this subcategory with
the terms suggested above, and others as necessary.
31.2. Subject Name
DEFINITION
The names used to refer to the subject, including the preferred
form of the name, which is the form most commonly found in
published sources. It also includes synonyms and variant names
for the subject.
EXAMPLES
Epiphany
Adoration of the Magi
Adorazione dei Magi
Hercules
Herakles
Ganesha
World War I
WWI
Coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte
American Civil War
Hercules
Olouaipipilele
Virgin Hodegetria
Death and the Miser
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Required: It is required to record at least
one name - the preferred name, which is the name or term used
most often in scholarly literature to refer to the subject.
Record one or more terms, names, appellations, or other identifying
phrases for the subject.
Form and syntax
Record proper names in upper case. For the names of events
or narrative subjects, use title case. Avoid abbreviations
for the preferred name (e.g., Saint John the Apostle Cathedral).
Include common abbreviations in alternate names to provide
additional access points (e.g., St. John the Apostle Cathedral).
For the preferred name, use a name or term in the language
of the catalog record (e.g., Adoration of the Magi in
an English record, rather than the Italian Adorazione dei
Magi). Note that, in some cases, the name most often used
for a subject is in a foreign language rather than the vernacular
language; if there is no English equivalent for a subject,
use a name in the appropriate language (e.g., Ecce Homo).
Use diacritics as appropriate. Express the name in natural
order, not inverted order. Avoid initial articles (e.g., Argonaut
Series rather than The Argonaut series).
Preferred name
The preferred name should be the name used most often to refer
to the subject in standard general reference works in the
language of the cataloging institution. The preferred names
should be the form that would be best used to index the subject
in alphabetical lists. To select a preferred name, consult
the sources listed in TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT. If the name does
not appear in authoritative and/or scholarly literature, choose
the name used most often in the literature of art history
or other professional literature in the language of the catalog
record (English in the United States) (e.g., Hercules or
Coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte). For names that are
not found in standard sources, construct a preferred name.
Variant names
Include all synonyms for the subject, including variations
in spelling and names in other languages. Record all variant
names that appear in published sources and represent significant
differences in form or spelling, including variant names,
names in multiple languages, variants that differ in diacritics
and punctuation, name inversions, and other variations. The
following list contains names that all refer to the same concept:
Magi, Three Kings, Wise Men, Tre Re Magi.
Guide term and facet names
If you use guide terms, create a descriptive phrase. Use lower
case, unless the phrase contains a proper name. For facet
names, capitalize the name for the sake of clarity in the
hierarchical display.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Free text: Populate names in this authority
using published controlled vocabularies and authoritative
encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other sources where possible,
including the sources listed under General Discussion above.
31.2.1. Preference
DEFINITION
An indication of whether the name is preferred or a variant
name for the subject.
EXAMPLES
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record an indication of which name
is preferred for this subject. Use lower case.
Flag the preferred name as preferred. Flag other names
as variant. For example, if the name Battle of Little
Big Horn is the preferred name, the synonym Custer's
Last Stand should be flagged as a variant name.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Use the terms preferred, variant,
and others as necessary.
31.2.2. Name
Type
DEFINITION
An indication of the type of name, to be used if the authority
is intended to be compliant with standards for thesaurus construction,
or to distinguish nouns from adjectival forms of names.
EXAMPLES
descriptor
alternate descriptor
used for term
noun
adjectival form
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record a term indicating the type
of name. Use lower case.
This subcategory is intended for use by those who wish the
authority to be compliant with national and international
standards for thesaurus construction (designating the term
descriptor, alternate descriptor, etc.). For a discussion
of the meanings of these terms, see the GENERAL CONCEPT AUTHORITY.
It may also be used to distinguish the noun form of names
(e.g., Virgin Mary) from the adjectival forms (e.g.,
Marian), if any.
TERMINOLOGY/ACCESS
Controlled list: Use the terms in the Examples
above, and others as described in the GENERAL CONCEPT AUTHORITY.
31.2.3. Name
Qualifier
DEFINITION
Word or phrase used as necessary to provide clarification
or disambiguation.
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: It may be necessary to add a qualifier
to distinguish between homographs. For example, Antigone
(daughter of Laomedon) and Antigone (daughter of Oedipus).
The qualifier is generally displayed with the preferred
name in parentheses.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Free-text: This subcategory is free text. Be
consistent where possible.
31.2.4. Name Language
DEFINITION
An indication of the language of the name, particularly when
the name is in a language other than the language of the catalog
record.
EXAMPLES
English
Italian
Chinese (transliterated Pinyin)
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the language of the name,
if known from authoritative sources. Capitalize the names
of languages.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Control this subcategory with
a controlled list. Values may be derived from a source such
as Ethnologue: Languages of the World. 14th edition.
Barbara F. Grimes, ed. Dallas, Texas: SIL International, 2000.
The ISO-639 standard may be used for language codes; however,
if ISO codes are used, values must be translated into legible
form for end-users.
31.2.5. Historical
Flag
DEFINITION
Flag indicating the historical status of the name.
EXAMPLES
current
historical
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record an indication if the name
is current or historical. Use lower case.
Note that this flag records the historical status of a particular
name only, not of the subject represented in the record.
If the name is currently in use to refer to the subject,
the flag should be set to current. Sources will generally
indicate when a name is historical.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Use a controlled list with
terms current, historical, and others if necessary.
31.2.6. Display
Name Flag
DEFINITION
Flag designating whether or not the name is to be used in
natural order displays or in an alphabetical list.
EXAMPLES
index
display
not applicable
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Flag the name as display if
it has been constructed in order to be used in horizontal
displays, or if it is the natural order form of the preferred
name in cases where the preferred name is inverted. If the
name is the form that should appear in alphabetical lists
and indexes, flag it as index. There may be only one
display name and one index name per record.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Use a controlled list with
terms index, display, not applicable,
and others if necessary.
31.2.7. Other
Name Flags
DEFINITION
Flags designating an abbreviation, pseudonym, and other special
name status.
EXAMPLES
fulll name
abbreviation
pseudonym
not applicable
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record an indication of the special
status of the name, as necessary. Use lower case.
Use abbreviation for any code or significantly shortened
form of a name (e.g., WW II). If there is an abbreviation
in the record, flag the full name (e.g., World War II).
Use pseudonym for any nickname or designation that
is not the proper name of the subject (e.g., Auspicious
One for the subject with preferred name Shiva).
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Use a controlled list with
terms full name, abbreviation, pseudonym, not
applicable, and others as necessary.
31.2.8. Name Source
DEFINITION
A reference to a bibliographic source or unpublished document
that provides the warrant for a particular name.
EXAMPLES
- ICONCLASS (1978-)
- Garnier, Thesaurus iconographique (1984)
- Magill, Cyclopedia of Literary Characters (1990-1998)
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Required: Record the source(s) used for the
name. In order to be a source, the name should have been translated
precisely, retaining the diacritics, capitalization, and punctuation
of the source.
For a full set of rules, see RELATED TEXTUAL REFERENCES
- CITATIONS.
For subjects taken from published literary works, record
a reference to the literary work in SUBJECT AUTHORITY - CITATIONS.
It may be recorded here too, if the name was taken from that
source.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Authority: Ideally, this information is controlled
by citations in the citations authority; see RELATED TEXTUAL
REFERENCES.
RELATED CATEGORIES and ACCESS
Sources may also be recorded for SUBJECT AUTHORITY - DESCRIPTIVE
NOTE and for the authority record in general in SUBJECT -
CITATIONS.
31.2.8.1. Page
DEFINITION
Page number, volume, date accessed for Web sites, and any
other information indicating where in the source the name
was found.
EXAMPLES
54
23 ff.
7:128
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: For a full set of rules for PAGE,
see RELATED TEXTUAL REFERENCES - CITATIONS - PAGE.
FORMAT/TERMINOLOGY
Free-text: This is not a controlled field.
Use consistent syntax and format.
31.2.9. Name Date
DEFINITION
A description of the date or range of dates when a particular
name was in use for the subject.
EXAMPLES
- established 1777
- from late 1st century BCE
- ca. 1st century BCE until 15th century
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the dates or date range when
a name was used. Precise date spans for subject names are
rarely known; include references to uncertainty or ambiguity
as necessary.
Note that this field records the date of a particular name
only, not of the subject represented in the record.
Ideally, the NAME DATE should refer, explicitly or implicitly,
to a time period or date. However, it may be used to record
unusual or important information about the name.
If a date is uncertain, use a broad or vague designation
(e.g., ancient) or words such as documented, ca.,
and probably). Note that the first year when a name
was documented is not necessarily the year when the name was
first used; therefore, you must create a sufficiently early
EARLIEST DATE. Names used in very ancient times are often
unknown, and more recent names are used.
Note that NAME DATES refer to the name itself, not the date
of the subject (which would be recorded with SUBJECT DATE).
Form and syntax
In the free-text NAME DATE field, record a phrase referring
to a year, a span of years, or period that describes the specific
or approximate date in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. Index
this free-text date with EARLIEST and LATEST DATES delimiting
the appropriate span. If the name is still in use to refer
to this place, the end date should be "9999."
The NAME DATE may contain a note that does not refer to a
date per se, but it must still be indexed with EARLIEST and
LATEST DATES.
Follow other rules for display dates in CREATION - CREATION
DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Free-text: This is not a controlled field.
Maintain consistent capitalization, punctuation, and syntax
where possible. Index the dates in the controlled EARLIEST
and LATEST DATE subcategories.[4]
31.2.9.1. Earliest Date
DEFINITION
The earliest date on which a particular name was used.
EXAMPLES
1877
1670
1950
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the earliest year indicated
by or implied in the display NAME DATE.
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record EARLIEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
LATEST DATE. Follow rules for dates in CREATION - CREATION
DATE - EARLIEST DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be
formatted consistently to allow retrieval. Local rules should
be in place. Suggested formats are available in the ISO Standard
and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International
Organization for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange
Formats. Information Interchange. Representation of Dates
and Times. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization
for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
31.2.9.2. Latest Date
DEFINITION
The latest date on which a particular name was used.
EXAMPLES
1901
1675
9999
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the latest year indicated
by or implied in the display NAME DATE.
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record EARLIEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
EARLIEST DATE. Follow rules for dates in CREATION - CREATION
DATE - LATEST DATE.
Note that this is they last year when the name was used,
which is generally "9999."
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be
formatted consistently to allow retrieval. Local rules should
be in place. Suggested formats are available in the ISO Standard
and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International
Organization for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange
Formats. Information Interchange. Representation of Dates
and Times. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization
for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
31.3. Subject Date
DEFINITION
The date or range of dates during which the subject is relevant
or was used.
EXAMPLES
first seen in the third century CE
June 25, 1876
Aztec
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the dates during which a subject
was relevant. Include nuance and expressions of uncertainty
as necessary.
Form and syntax
Follow the applicable rules for display dates in CREATION
- CREATION DATE.
While DATES may not be applicable to many subjects, this
subcategory is useful for particular sets of subjects and
may be important for retrieval. For example, dates are helpful
for events (e.g., the Coronation of Charlemagne could
be described as occurred in 800 CE). The DATE is indexed
with EARLIEST and LATEST DATES. The DATE for the subject Feathered
Serpent could be used by Maya, Toltec, and Aztec cultures,
which could be indexed with dates appropriate for the flourishing
of those civilizations, EARLIEST DATE 200 and LATEST
DATE 1600.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Free text: This is not a controlled field.
Maintain consistent capitalization, punctuation, and syntax
where possible. Index the dates in the controlled EARLIEST
and LATEST DATE subcategories.
31.3.1. Earliest Date
DEFINITION
The earliest date when a subject was first established or
was used.
EXAMPLES
1250
-1000
2000-11-30
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the earliest date when the
subject could have been known or illustrated.
Form and syntax
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record EARLIEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
LATEST DATE. Follow the applicable rules for dates in CREATION
- CREATION DATE - EARLIEST DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be
formatted consistently to allow retrieval. Local rules should
be in place. Suggested formats are available in the ISO Standard
and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International
Organization for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange
Formats. Information Interchange. Representation of Dates
and Times. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization
for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
31.3.2. Latest Date
DEFINITION
The latest date when a subject was first established or was
used.
EXAMPLES
1400
-900
2000-11-30
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the latest date when the subject
could have been known or illustrated.
Form and syntax
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record EARLIEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
LATEST DATE. Follow the applicable rules for dates in CREATION
- CREATION DATE - EARLIEST DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be
formatted consistently to allow retrieval. Local rules should
be in place. Suggested formats are available in the ISO Standard
and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International
Organization for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange
Formats. Information Interchange. Representation of Dates
and Times. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization
for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
31.4. Subject Roles/Attributes
DEFINITION
Terms that characterize significant aspects of the subject.
EXAMPLES
elephant
good fortune
Hindu god
androgynous
dancer
mendicant
freedom
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record a term or terms that characterize
the most significant characteristics of the subject.
Form and syntax
Generally record the singular form of the term; record a plural
term if appropriate. Use lower case for most terms, but capitalize
terms for style, that refer to a proper name, or other terms
that are normally capitalized in authoritative sources. Avoid
abbreviations. Record terms in natural word order, not inverted.
Do not use punctuation, except hyphens, as required.
Include all terms that refer to the following: physical characteristics
(e.g., elephant), characteristic roles (e.g., savior,
king ), major functions (e.g., castle), activities
(e.g., farming), purpose (e.g., transport),
political anatomy (e.g., duchy), symbolic significance
(e.g., charity), or other major characteristics.
Record terms only if they refer to the most significant or
major characteristics of the subject, or otherwise are deemed
critical for retrieval. Do not try to describe the subject
using these terms; use SUBJECT AUTHORITY - DESCRIPTIVE NOTE
to describe the subject.
Record generic terms that characterize significant aspects
of the subject in general. These are not characteristics of
only one particular depiction of the subject (which is recorded
in SUBJECT MATTER); instead, they should be general characteristics
that will aid retrieval of all works that portray a given
subject, no matter what the particular depiction in any single
given work.
The goal of indexing these aspects of the subject is to allow
access to the material by characteristics other than name.
For example, the subject Ganesha could be indexed by
terms indicating who Ganesha is and what he symbolizes:
Hindu god, good fortune, elephant, good nature, strength,
ritual circumambulation. The famous 19th-century nightclub,
Chat Noir, which is the subject of a famous poster
by Theophile Alexandre Steinlen, could be indexed by terms
describing the activities of the club: cabaret, shadow
theater, guignols.
If the subject is intimately related to a concept, person,
or place, and if a link to the full authority record for that
concept, person, or place is required, link it in the appropriate
subcategory - RELATED SUBJECT, RELATED PERSON/CORPORATE BODY,
RELATED PLACE/LOCATION, or RELATED GENERIC SUBJECT - rather
than in SUBJECT ROLES/ATTRIBUTES.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list or authority: Control terminology
with a controlled list. It is recommended to use a controlled
list, populated by terms from the AAT and other sources. Many
terms, but probably not all, could instead be controlled by
linking to the GENERIC CONCEPT AUTHORITY.
31.4.1. Preference
DEFINITION
An indication of whether the role or attribute is preferred
or variant for the subject.
EXAMPLES
preferred
non preferred
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Flag one role or attribute in each
record as "preferred." Use lower case.
As with preferred names, a preferred role/attribute is used
as a default to create displays. Choose the role/attribute
that represents the most important, most representative, or
most inclusive role or attribute of the subject.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Use the terms preferred
and non preferred. Others may be added if necessary.
31.4.2. Role Date
DEFINITION
A description of the date or range of dates when the role
or attribute was relevant.
EXAMPLES
- after 1638
- beginning ca. 1910
- ancient Egyptian
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the dates or date range when
a role was relevant. Include references to uncertainty or
ambiguity as necessary.
Form and syntax
Follow rules for display dates in CREATION - CREATION DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Free-text: This is not a controlled field.
Maintain consistent capitalization, punctuation, and syntax
where possible. Index the dates in the controlled EARLIEST
and LATEST DATE subcategories.
31.4.2.1. Earliest Date
DEFINITION
The earliest date when the role or attribute was relevant.
EXAMPLES
1666
1353
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the earliest year indicated
by or implied in the display ROLE DATE.
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record EARLIEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
LATEST DATE. Follow rules for dates in CREATION - CREATION
DATE - EARLIES DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be
formatted consistently to allow retrieval. Local rules should
be in place. Suggested formats are available in the ISO Standard
and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International
Organization for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange
Formats. Information Interchange. Representation of Dates
and Times. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization
for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
31.4.2.2. Latest Date
DEFINITION
The latest date when the role or attribute was relevant.
EXAMPLES
1723
1410
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the earliest year indicated
by or implied in the display ROLE DATE.
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record EARLIEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
LATEST DATE. Follow rules for dates in CREATION - CREATION
DATE - EARLIES DATE.
When recording dates of activity, for LATEST ACTIVE DATE
for living persons or extant corporate bodies, to allow successful
retrieval, it is strongly recommended that you enter 9999
or another appropriate value rather than leaving the subcategory
blank.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be
formatted consistently to allow retrieval. Local rules should
be in place. Suggested formats are available in the ISO Standard
and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International
Organization for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange
Formats. Information Interchange. Representation of Dates
and Times. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization
for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
31.5. Related Subject
DEFINITION
The identification of any places that have important ties
or connections to the place being cataloged, excluding hierarchical
whole/part relationships.
EXAMPLES
- First Shenandoah Valley Campaign (American Civil
War, Historical Events)
- Joseph (New Testament, Christian Iconography)
- Hindu gods (Hindu Iconography)
- Labors of Hercules (Story of Hercules, Greek heroic legends,
Classical Mythology)
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Identify any subject related to the
subject being cataloged where there is an important associative
relationship. Associative relationships are to "see also"
references, and exclude whole/part hierarchical relationships.
Form and syntax
Record proper names in upper case. For the names of events
or narrative subjects, use title case. Capitalize place names.
Use the label/identification of the related subject, described
in SUBJECT AUTHORITY - LABEL/IDENTIFICATION.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
System generated: Ideally, this should be generated
from various fields in the related SUBJECT AUTHORITY record.
Free-text: If this is a free-text field, index
the information in the pertinent controlled subcategories
elsewhere in the related record.
31.5.1. Subject Relationship
Type
DEFINITION
An indication of the type of relationship between the subject
and another subject.
EXAMPLES
predecessor of
associated with
manifestation is
consort is
focus of
predecessor was
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record a word or phrase that describes
the relationship between the subject at hand and the linked
subject. It is optional to record related places, but if they
are recorded, it is highly recommended to use this subcategory
to identify the type of relationship between them.
Form and syntax
Use lower case. Avoid abbreviations. Record terms in natural
word order, not inverted. Do not use punctuation, except hyphens,
as required
RELATIONSHIP TYPE describes relationships that go from the
subject of the record to the related entity. Many reciprocal
relationships between subjects are equal and the same on both
sides of the relationship (e.g., mate of / mate of ).
However, be careful to link to the correct side of the relationship
when the term is not the same on both sides of the relationship
(e.g., predecessor of / successor of , and vice versa)
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Control these terms with a
controlled list, including the terms above and others as needed.
31.5.2. Subject Relationship
Date
DEFINITION
A description of the date or range of dates associated with
the relationship between the subject and the related subject.
EXAMPLES
from 1310
17th century
ancient
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record a description of the dates
or date range when the relationship was in place. Include
references to uncertainty or ambiguity as necessary.
Form and syntax
Follow the applicable rules for display dates in CREATION
- CREATION DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Free-text: This is not a controlled field.
Maintain consistent capitalization, punctuation, and syntax
where possible. Index the dates in the controlled EARLIEST
and LATEST DATE subcategories.
31.5.2.1. Earliest Date
DEFINITION
The earliest date when the relationship could have been in
effect.
EXAMPLES
1420
900
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: The earliest date when the hierarchical
relationship could have been in place.
Form and syntax
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record EARLIEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
LATEST DATE. Follow the applicable rules for dates in CREATION
- CREATION DATE - EARLIEST DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be
formatted consistently to allow retrieval. Local rules should
be in place. Suggested formats are available in the ISO Standard
and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International
Organization for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange
Formats. Information Interchange. Representation of Dates
and Times. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization
for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
31.5.2.2. Latest Date
DEFINITION
The latest date when the relationship could have been in
effect.
EXAMPLES
1623
1521
9999
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the latest year indicated
by the display RELATIONSHIP DATE.
Form and syntax
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record LATEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
EARLIEST DATE. Follow the applicable rules for dates in CREATION
- CREATION DATE - LATEST DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be
formatted consistently to allow retrieval. Local rules should
be in place. Suggested formats are available in the ISO Standard
and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International
Organization for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange
Formats. Information Interchange. Representation of Dates
and Times. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization
for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
31.6. Subject Broader Context
DEFINITION
An identification of the broader contexts for the subject.
Ideally this is a hierarchical link.
EXAMPLES
- Marriage of the Virgin (Life of the Virgin Mary,
New Testament, Christian iconography)
- Creation story (Norse mythology)
- American Civil War (Historical Events)
- British literarature (Literary Themes)
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Required: This subcategory is required, when
applicable. There may be multiple hierarchical relationships
(polyhierarchical). Identify the larger context (parent)
required to construct the hierarchical (whole/part) relationships
between a subject and another place. Position the subject
under the most specific parent possible.
Form and syntax
Ideally this is a hierarchical link. For display, follow
the example above, using the preferred SUBJECT NAME, hierarchical
parents for the subject, and SUBJECT ROLES/ATTRIBUTES, as
described in PLACE/LOCATION AUTHORITY - LABEL/IDENTIFICATION.
In addition to the label as displayed in the Examples above,
the broader contexts may be derived from the hierarchical
links and displayed in indented format:.
Magi
......Journey of the Magi
......Magi Follow the Star
......Magi before Herod
......Adoration of the Magi
............Presentation of the Gifts
......Magi Warned by Angel
Hierarchical relationships in this authority are those links
in a thesaurus that describe genus/species or whole/part relationships.[1]
Each record in the authority is linked to its immediate parent
(broader context); hierarchy is constructed through these
links. The authority is polyhierarchical, meaning that subjects
can belong to more than one parent place. Hierarchical relationships
are referred to by genealogical terms: child, children,
siblings, parent, grandparent, ancestors, descendents,
etc.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
System generated: Ideally, this broader context
display should be generated from the hierarchical relationships
of the authority record linked as BROADER CONTEXT.[1]
Ideally, this relationship should be managed by the computer
system. The method by which the broader context is noted or
linked will be specific to the cataloging, collection management,
or editorial system being used. Linking the authority record
to its broader context allows hierarchies to be constructed.
In the examples above, the hierarchical relationships are
represented by indentation, illustrating a display that will
be intelligible to most end users.
Free-text: If generating a display by algorithm
is not possible, or if the cataloging institution wants to
express nuance that is not possible from an automatically
generated string, a free-text field may be used instead.
RELATED CATEGORIES and ACCESS
Generally, the hierarchical relationship will be a special
relationship that is managed separately from associative relationships.
However, for some institutions, the whole/part relationships
will be recorded only by using "part of" and "broader
context for" in SUBJECT AUTHORITY - RELATED SUBJECT -
RELATIONSHIP TYPE.
31.6.1. Broader Context Date
DEFINITION
A description of the date or range of dates associated with
the hierarchical relationship between the subject being cataloged
and the related subject.
EXAMPLES
from 1791
18th century
11th century through 15th century
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record a description of the dates
or date range when a hierarchical relationship was relevant.
Include references to uncertainty or ambiguity as necessary.
Form and syntax
Follow the applicable rules for display dates in CREATION
- CREATION DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Free-text: This is not a controlled field.
Maintain consistent capitalization, punctuation, and syntax
where possible. Index the dates in the controlled EARLIEST
and LATEST DATE subcategories.
31.6.1.1. Earliest Date
DEFINITION
The earliest date when the hierarchical relationship could
have been in place.
EXAMPLES
1420
900
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: The earliest date when the hierarchical
relationship could have been in place.
Form and syntax
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record EARLIEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
LATEST DATE. Follow the applicable rules for dates in CREATION
- CREATION DATE - EARLIEST DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be
formatted consistently to allow retrieval. Local rules should
be in place. Suggested formats are available in the ISO Standard
and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International
Organization for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange
Formats. Information Interchange. Representation of Dates
and Times. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization
for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
31.6.1.2. Latest Date
DEFINITION
The latest date when the hierarchical relationship could
have been in place.
EXAMPLES
1623
1521
9999
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the latest year indicated
by the display RELATIONSHIP DATE.
Form and syntax
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record LATEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
EARLIEST DATE. Follow the applicable rules for dates in CREATION
- CREATION DATE - LATEST DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be
formatted consistently to allow retrieval. Local rules should
be in place. Suggested formats are available in the ISO Standard
and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International
Organization for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange
Formats. Information Interchange. Representation of Dates
and Times. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization
for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
31.7. Related Place/Location
DEFINITION
Information about a geographic place related to the subject
at hand.
EXAMPLES
- Jerusalem (Yerushalayim district, Israel) (inhabited
place)
- Oe-yama (Kyoto prefecture, Kinki, Japan) (mountain)
- Baetica (Roman Empire) (province)
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Make links between records for the
subject and geographic places. Link only places that have
a direct and important relationship to the subject.
Form and syntax
Capitalize place names. Avoid abbreviations. Use the label/identification
of the related place, described in PLACE/LOCATION AUTHORITY
- LABEL/IDENTIFICATION.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
System generated: This should be generated
from a link to the PLACE/LOCATION AUTHORITY, if possible.
Free-text: If generating a display by algorithm
is not possible, or if the cataloging institution wants to
express nuance that is not possible from an automatically
generated string, a free-text field may be used instead.
31.7.1. Place Relationship
Type
DEFINITION
An indication of the type of relationship between the subject
and the place.
EXAMPLES
located in
born in
ruler of
Optional: Record a word or phrase that describes
the relationship between the subject at hand and the place.
Form and syntax
Use lower case. Avoid abbreviations. Record terms in natural
word order, not inverted. Do not use punctuation, except hyphens,
as required
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Control these terms with a
controlled list, including the terms above and others as needed.
31.8. Related Person/Corporate
Body
DEFINITION
Information about a person or corporate body related to the
subject at hand.
EXAMPLES
- Charles III, King of Spain (Spanish ruler, 1716-1788)
- Qin Shi Huangdi (Chinese emperor, united China 221 BCE)
- Beauregard, P. G. T., General (American Confederate general,
1818-1893)
- Alighieri, Dante (Italian poet and author, 1265-1321)
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Make links between records for the
subject and related people or corporate bodies. Link only
to people or corporate that have a direct and important relationship
to the subject.
Form and syntax
Record proper names in upper case. Avoid abbreviations. Use
consistent syntax and punctuation for the label identifying
the related person or corporate body. For display, follow
the example above, using the preferred NAME and DISPLAY BIOGRAPHY
in parentheses, as described in PERSON/CORPORATE BODY AUTHORITY
- LABEL/IDENTIFICATION.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
System generated: This should be generated
from a link to the PERSON/CORPORATE BODY AUTHORITY, if possible.
Free-text: If generating a display by algorithm
is not possible, or if the cataloging institution wants to
express nuance that is not possible from an automatically
generated string, a free-text field may be used instead.
31.8.1. Person Relationship
Type
DEFINITION
An indication of the type of relationship between the subject
and the related person or corporate body.
EXAMPLES
protagonist was
actor was
ruler was
participant was
Optional: Record a word or phrase that describes
the relationship between the subject and a person or corporate
body.
Form and syntax
Use lower case. Avoid abbreviations. Record terms in natural
word order, not inverted. Do not use punctuation, except hyphens,
as required
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Control these terms with a
controlled list, including the terms above and others as needed.
31.9. Related Generic
Concept
DEFINITION
Information about a generic concept related to the subject
at hand.
EXAMPLES
- domestic cat (common name) (Felis domesticus)
- Christmas (Christian holidays)
- rose (common name) (Rosa)
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Make links between records for the
subject and generic concepts. Link only to generic concepts
that have a direct and important relationship to the subject.
Record other terms in SUBJECT ROLE/ATTRIBUTE.
Form and syntax
Record terms in lower case; if any term contains a proper
name, record the name in upper case. Avoid abbreviations.
Use the label/identification of the related generic concept,
described in GENERIC CONCEPT AUTHORITY - LABEL/IDENTIFICATION.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
System generated: This should be generated
from a link to the GENERIC CONCEPT AUTHORITY, if possible.
Free-text: If generating a display by algorithm
is not possible, or if the cataloging institution wants to
express nuance that is not possible from an automatically
generated string, a free-text field may be used instead.
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