Re: Non-rotated subject index

[Jeffrey Trimble <jtrimble@xxxxxxxxxx>]

At 09:47 AM 1/8/2003 -0500, Howard Pasternack wrote:
>I guess I may be a Luddite, but I have yet to hear a user focussed answer 
>as to why not to rotate the subject headings


The problem with rotated subject headings is that the user (neophtye) not 
librarian
will not to be able to come up with a consistent way of searching in the opac.
The subdivisions used on subject headings, specifically LCSH are used in a
prescribed order.

This order follows the Subdivision Conference at Airlie House in 1991.  (The
Airlie House Conference).  The first recommendation was a STANDARD
ORDER of [topic]--[place]--[chronology]--[form].

With that said, rotated subject headings defeats the purpose of using LCSH
and the National Standards that this provides.  Users are confused enough
as it is.

I use the Rotate Subject Headings for authority control only.

So, there is a reason NOT to use them.   Also, my site has the subjects
rotated.  Not my decision.  :-)

All private inquiries welcomed.



Jeffrey A. Trimble
Systems/Catalog Librarian
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH
jtrimble@xxxxxxxxxx
(330) 941-2483