Brit + Co Guides Logo
STEPS
TOOLS

Front Cover

Front Cover

Be sure to read the synopsis of the book. This will be on the inside cover or the back of the book.

After reading the synopsis, jot down some key words you think would be good subject headings.

After reading the synopsis, jot down some key words you think would be good subject headings.

I chose: brainwashing, dystopia, science fiction, fathers and daughters, friendship

Locate the information (CIP) inside the book to see what subject headings were selected by the publisher. Remember, these are Library of Congress and will need to be converted to Sears.

Locate the information (CIP) inside the book to see what subject headings were selected by the publisher. Remember, these are Library of Congress and will need to be converted to Sears.

You can find the CIP information by looking online to see if Google Books has a preview. Or you can look at a public library or another school library's catalog to see what subject headings they used.

Not all books have CIP inside.

Dig out your Sears List of Subject Headings and start looking up the words you chose and the LOC headings from the CIP.

I jotted down Brainwashing and the CIP listed it too. When I checked Sears, I found Brainwashing listed in BOLD so I knew it was an approved Sears Subject Heading. So, Brainwashing is one ill use.

I jotted down Brainwashing and the CIP listed it too. When I checked Sears, I found Brainwashing listed in BOLD so I knew it was an approved Sears Subject Heading. So, Brainwashing is one ill use.

I jotted down Dystopia on my list. When I found it in Sears I see they have Dystopias in BOLD. So, that is the word I'll use. It doesn't matter that the CIP doesn't have it listed. I can still add it.

I jotted down Dystopia on my list. When I found it in Sears I see they have Dystopias in BOLD. So, that is the word I'll use. It doesn't matter that the CIP doesn't have it listed. I can still add it.

I jotted down Father and daughter and that is what the CIP shows. In Sears it is listed as Father-daughter relationship. So, that is what I'll use.

I jotted down Father and daughter and that is what the CIP shows. In Sears it is listed as Father-daughter relationship. So, that is what I'll use.

Science fiction is the same in Sears as it is in LOC.

Science fiction is the same in Sears as it is in LOC.

I didn't think about Insurgency when I was jotting down my keywords, but the CIP listed it. When I look in Sears I see it is the same word and BOLD so I'll include it as one of my Subject Headings.

I didn't think about Insurgency when I was jotting down my keywords, but the CIP listed it. When I look in Sears I see it is the same word and BOLD so I'll include it as one of my Subject Headings.

Friendship is going to be involved in this story I think so want to list it even though the CIP doesn't include it. Sears lists Friendship in BOLD so I can use it.

Friendship is going to be involved in this story I think so want to list it even though the CIP doesn't include it. Sears lists Friendship in BOLD so I can use it.

Fiction can be a subheading for all of your Subject Headings. Dystopias - Fiction Friendship - Fiction Etc....

  • 1.0 Sears List of Subject Headings
  • Book(s) needing to be cataloged