On my fridge I have a photocopy of a letter that Sandy Berman sent to the Library of Congress this August suggesting that they establish dildoes as a LCSH. I got many fascinating photocopies along with it for supporting evidence. I enjoy being on Sandy’s mailing list. Today, vickiep from del.ico.us sent me a link to “strap-on sex” as a new Library of Congress subject heading. Hooray! Unfortunately, links that go into the Library of Congress Authorities searches aren’t permanent but I was able to replicate the search and find the listing for dildoes in the weekly list for September 26th. Of interest to me particularly is that the authority record for strap-on sex contains Wikipedia, Google and “LC database” as notes in the 670 field. update: Tim at LibraryThing has a post showing the record.
11 thoughts on ““authorities” and strap-on sex”
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Finally, a subject heading for the rest of us.
http://www.librarything.com/thingology/2007/10/lcsh-adds-strap-on-sex.php
My favorite is that “Dildos” can be subdivided geographically.
>>My favorite is that “Dildos†can be subdivided geographically.
How does one get that from the record? Can strap-on sex?
@tim: If you go to the record for dildoes — which, if I’m reading things correctly was added at the same time — you can see it in there, pretty sure.
This reminds me of my all-time favorite LCSH, “Self-induced vibration.” Sadly it’s about some scientific/mathematical concept and isn’t nearly as entertaining as it sounds.
a.
What search engines have a thesaurus as part of the features so that alternative search terms are suggested when you have difficulties figuring out the best search terms?…
b.
How would you use the library of congress subject headings as one might use a thesaurus in conjunction with google or with ask.com to figure out alternative search terms?…