Some reference librarian somewhere compiled this list of seasonally appropriate Library of Congresss subject headings. It was forwarded to me, and I share it now with y’all.
A selection of Library of Congress (LC) subject headings
for the holidays
Shopping malls – Religious aspects
Muzak (Trademark) – Psychological aspects
Advertising — Toys
Advertising — Confectionery
Christmas show windows
Avarice in children
Temper tantrums in children
Department store Santas – Protection
Christmas on postage stamps
Camels in art
Jesus Christ – Nativity – Juvenile drama
Sheep — Behavior
Christmas decorations – Risk assessment
English holly – Handling – Accidents
Christmas tree ornaments – Materials – Brittleness
Christmas lights — Defects
Candles in interior decoration – Safety aspects
Christmas trees – Fires and fire prevention
Interior decorators – Wounds and injuries
Reindeer – Flight
Santa Claus – Career in aviation
Sleighs – Handling characteristics
Near misses (Aeronautics)
Chimneys – Design and construction – Safety aspects
Chimneys – Accidents
Sleep disorders in children – Risk factors
Christmas stockings – Evaluation
Confectionery – Materials — Sampling
Toys – Materials – Impact testing
Blister packs – Materials – Acoustic properties
Unparliamentary language
Jealousy in children
Impulse control disorders in children
Gift wrapping – Materials – War use
Stress (Psychology) – Religious aspects
Behavior disorders in children
Children in public worship – Prevention
Brussels sprouts industry – Seasonal variations
Christmas cookery – Health aspects
Hanukkah cookery – Fiction
Abdominal pain in children – Risk factors
Crying in children
Household animals – Effects of stress on
Chocolate – Effects of high temperatures on
Norway spruce – Effects of drought on
Rug cleaning
Christmas television programmes – Psychological aspects
Hyperactivity in children
Intergenerational conflict
Violence in children
Headache – Psychosomatic aspects
Dreidel (Game)
Child behavior checklist
Herod I, King of Judea, 73-4 B.C. — Philosophy
Alcohol – Therapeutic use
anonymous
January 1, 2001 at 12:00 aminvertedreptile
December 18, 2005 at 6:10 amthat a terrifying percentage of those are genuine.
kenllama
December 18, 2005 at 6:21 amlovely! thanks for sharing =)
what’s with the brussel sprouts?
anonymous
December 18, 2005 at 10:23 amGreat stuff! I especially like “unparliamentary language.” That’s such a great phrase. :)
-Sean K.
maeve66
December 18, 2005 at 11:40 amYeah, I like those as a compendium of Christmas tropes. I think my favorite right now (as I teach) is “Children in public worship — Prevention”. Or maybe “Blister packs — Materials — Acoustic Properties.”
Has anyone written (I am sure they have) on the World Shaping Power of devising LC subject headings? Because it’s kind of godlike, you know.
thisisnotanlj
December 19, 2005 at 2:24 amoh yes! read about sandy berman, famous activist cataloger.
nevikmoore
December 19, 2005 at 7:19 amThis trio made me snicker:
Santa Claus – Career in aviation
Sleighs – Handling characteristics
Near misses (Aeronautics)
anonymous
December 23, 2005 at 3:36 amThe LC Subject Headings for the holidays were delightful. I have been sharing them with my colleagues here at the Riverside Public Library. I suspect they are much more amusing to us librarians than to laypersons.
Hope whichever holiday you celebrate is wonderful.
William M. A. Swafford, MSLS
Local History/Special Collections Librarian
anonymous
January 2, 2006 at 3:31 amHA! This list is hysterical! I keep trying to tell people how funny the library can be…
Good to see that you have a blog! I read Empress (on recommendation of BITCH Magazine) and featured it for my library’s Young Adult display (I’ll have you know that there were two holds placed on it! Not bad for a teeny-tiny library!).
I had no idea you were a librarian! That’s the shit!
Well, have a lovely new year.
M. Testerman
PS. Stop by if you get a chance!
http://intellectualfreedomfighters.com/books.htm
thisisnotanlj
January 3, 2006 at 8:00 amhey, thanks!
i’m pleased to hear of the empress holds, that’s very cool. if all goes well, i should have a new book out this coming fall…