September 20, 2008

Subject headings for Spanish language materials

Posted in libraries tagged , , , at 10:44 pm by thetravelinglibrarian

In her article, “Subject Access to Fiction: a Case Study Based on the Works of Pat Mora”, by Elaine Yontz, the author discusses the lack of effective subject headings to relate the presences (or absence, in some cases) of Spanish Language materials in public libraries.  Yontz states that after searching a number of nationally recognized databases used by libraries in the United States there is no one single subject heading that librarians can use to signify appropriate materials for the Spanish speaking audience.

Library of Congress identifies two subject headings that may be the most effective, if used consistently; 

Hispanic-Americans, and

Spanish Language Materials.

But again, cataloging librarians have to use these subject headings diligently, if they are to be an effective tool for material identification and location.

Yontz makes a strong argument for the appropriate use of subject headings for these kinds of materials.  She even suggests the use of 690’s (local subject headings) that can be used by individual libraries to identify collections by using terms that may be better suited for their collections, and their populations.  But is that really enough?

Will a non-English speaking customer, who may not be comfortable asking for assistance, know to search for “Spanish Language Materials” on his library catalog?  Even if every single book in this collection has this subject heading, what good will it do if Spanish speakers are not familiar with this terminology? 

I’m not especially keen on the idea of adding subject headings in Spanish.  That would be a huge project.  But there has to be a way for native Spanish speakers to find the materials they are looking for, without asking a librarian.

Tagging would allow library users to identify and locate the materials they seek, using the terminology they are most familiar and comfortable with.  While most libraries are not set up to allow tagging, some LIS systems do make it available.  In my mind, this is the most comprehensive solution to this problem.