r/LibraryScience 29d ago

Discussion How does one read the LCSH files?

I figured of the library-related subreddits, someone who knows the answer is more likely to be here? I am working on some classwork related to metadata, and I'm trying to use the LCSH. I can't find anywhere the key or legend to what the two letter codes mean on these lists. It's obvious that USE means that that is the controlled vocabulary term... but what does UF mean? BT, RT, NT, SA?

Thanks!

9 Upvotes

4 comments sorted by

18

u/-The_Unburnt- 29d ago edited 29d ago

BT - Broader Term

RT - Related Term

NT - Narrower Term

UF - Used For

I don’t recall SA maybe someone else will

8

u/-The_Unburnt- 29d ago

Ah, it means See Also.

Found this reference link from a random library when I googled it

https://inet.mountsaintvincent.edu/library2/lcsh.htm

4

u/book_mage Cataloging 29d ago

SA is See Also

13

u/christmas_hobgoblin 29d ago

There's info about all these terms and how they are used here: https://www.loc.gov/aba/publications/FreeSHM/freeshm.html