Is There an Answer to the Subject Access Crisis?

Library of Congress subject heading policy has been frequently criticized for using obsolete and biased terminology, for not providing subject analysis in depth, and for being overly research library oriented. While both PRECIS and the Subject Analysis Project offer possible solutions, fiscal considerations make their adoption unlikely. By using existing computer technology, individual libraries could improve subject access by improved subject searching capabilities and by implementatation of subject authority files which could tailor LC subject headings to the individual libraries' needs and provide an individualized cross-reference structure. For its part, the Library of Congress should provide an updatable machine readable file of its complete cross-reference structure. This file should contain all references used in the Library of Congress Public Catalog since much of LC's subject heading practice is based upon its cross-reference structure. With such improvements, LC subject headings could provide much better subject access at an acceptable cost.