Name Headings As Subjects H 430: RDA Aacr2

Name Headings as Subjects H 430
BACKGROUND: Most RDA and AACR2 name headings are usable not only as main or added
entries, but also as subject headings. There are some situations, however, where a valid name
heading may not be assigned as a subject heading because there are overriding subject
cataloging policies. Catalogers are responsible for being aware of, and being able to identify,
those situations where a name heading is inappropriate for subject use. They are also
responsible, in situations where a name heading is appropriate and required for use as a subject
heading or subdivision, for determining that it is a currently valid RDA or AACR2 heading.
Information regarding the current status of a name heading is available in the name authority
record for that heading. This instruction sheet describes the techniques for determining
whether a required name heading is authorized for use in RDA cataloging, and illustrates how to
interpret the data found in displays of name authority records.
1. Name headings used by descriptive catalogers. If a required name heading appears in the
bibliographic record for a work being cataloged, either as the main entry or as an added entry, it
may be assumed that it is a valid AACR2 or RDA heading. Use such headings as subject headings
without further searching.
2. Searching name headings in the LC Database. If a name heading is required for use as a
subject heading and does not appear in the bibliographic record or has not been provided by the
descriptive cataloger, search the LC Database to determine whether it has been established and
whether it is currently valid. If the required name heading is not found, establish it or request a
descriptive cataloger to do so.
3. Determining whether a heading found in the LC Database may be assigned as a subject

heading. In order to determine whether a heading found in the LC Database is valid for subject
use, examine the heading and its authority record to determine whether it meets all of the
following criteria:
 RDA and AACR2 coding. The heading must be coded as conforming to either RDA or
AACR2. Authorized RDA headings are indicated by the presence of the value z in field
008/10. Authorized AACR2 headings are indicated by the presence of the value c in
field 008/10.
Subject Headings Manual H 430 Page 1

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H 430 Name Headings as Subjects

heading.
 RDA and AACR2 coding. (Continued)
Note: In the LC ILS, field 008/10 corresponds with the box labeled Descriptive
cataloging rules on the 008 input screen. To display this screen, click the 008
button on the authority record display. To return to the authority record display
from the 008 input screen, click Cancel. When examining the 008 input screen,
subject catalogers should take care not to inadvertently change any of the values
that have been set. Clicking Cancel instead of OK to exit the screen ensures that
any changes that may have accidentally been made are not saved.
If the heading is not coded AACR2 or RDA, upgrade the heading to RDA form, or request a
descriptive cataloger to do so.
 Subject heading usage coding. The value a must appear in field 008/15, indicating
that the heading is valid for use as a subject .
Note: In the LC ILS the value a in field 008/15 corresponds with a : Appropriate
beside the box labeled Heading use-subject added entry (008/15) on the 008
input screen. To display this screen, click the 008 button on the authority record
display. To return to the authority record display from the 008 input screen,
click Cancel.
If the value b is present in field 008/15, there is normally a 667 SUBJECT USAGE field
in the record describing what heading should be used instead (see illustration #2). If
this field is not present, refer the matter to the Policy and Standards Division.
Note: The value b in field 008/15 corresponds with b : Not appropriate beside
the box labeled Heading use-subject added entry (008/15) on the 008 input
screen. To display this screen, click the 008 button on the authority record
display. To return to the authority record display from the 008 input screen,
click Cancel.
H 430 Page 2 Subject Headings Manual

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Name Headings as Subjects H 430

heading.
 RDA and AACR2 coding. (Continued)
All newly created name authority records are automatically assigned value a in
field 008/15. The value is changed to b only when a proposal has been made
and approved to have a 667 SUBJECT USAGE note added to the record to explicitly
prohibit use of the heading as a subject (cf. H 432). Thus the presence of the
value a in field 008/15 means only that no conscious decision has been made that
the heading is inappropriate for use as a subject, and does not in itself mean that
the heading is appropriate without regard to the other criteria listed in this
section.
 Name headings that conflict with subject cataloging policies. Use of the heading
must not conflict with any established policies for the assignment of name headings as
subjects or the construction of topical subject headings.
Example #1: Even though the heading California. Governor

(1967-1975 : Reagan) meets all other criteria for subject usage, it may
still not be assigned as a subject heading, because it is subject cataloging
policy to assign the personal name form, i.e., Reagan, Ronald, rather than
the corporate form when assigning names of government officials as
subjects.
Example #2: Even though there is an authority record in the name

authority file for the heading Twain, Mark, 1835-1910. Adventures of
Tom Sawyer. Ukrainian, it may not be assigned in that form because it
is subject cataloging policy to omit elements such as language when
assigning uniform titles as subject headings to commentaries (cf. H 1435).
Example #3: Even though the authority record for Rampling, Anne,
1941- meets the criteria for subject usage, it may not be assigned as a
subject heading because it is subject cataloging policy for literary authors
who write under various names and have more than one name heading to
use the heading that serves as the "base heading" for the author, that is, the
heading having the complete set of references for the author. In this case,
that heading is Rice, Ann, 1941-.
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H 430 Name Headings as Subjects

heading.
 Name headings that conflict with subject cataloging policies. (Continued)
Example #4: Many headings that represent the earlier names of current
jurisdictions have a : Appropriate in the Heading use-subject added
entry box on 008 input screen of the authority record. Such headings
may not, however, be assigned as subject headings because it is subject
cataloging policy to assign only the latest name of a jurisdiction. When a
heading of this type is encountered, a proposal should be submitted, in
accordance with H 708, to add a 667 field to its authority record. When
the proposal is approved, the value is changed to b : Not appropriate.
If use of any heading would violate standard subject cataloging policy, follow the
policy and do not use the heading.
H 430 Page 4 Subject Headings Manual

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Name Headings As Subjects H 430: RDA Aacr2

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Name Headings as Subjects H 430

3. Determining whether a heading found in the LC Database may be assigned as a subject

Subject Headings Manual H 430 Page 1

3. Determining whether a heading found in the LC Database may be assigned as a subject

 RDA and AACR2 coding. (Continued)

H 430 Page 2 Subject Headings Manual

3. Determining whether a heading found in the LC Database may be assigned as a subject

 RDA and AACR2 coding. (Continued)

Example #1: Even though the heading California. Governor

Example #2: Even though there is an authority record in the name

Subject Headings Manual H 430 Page 3

3. Determining whether a heading found in the LC Database may be assigned as a subject

 Name headings that conflict with subject cataloging policies. (Continued)

H 430 Page 4 Subject Headings Manual

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