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Guidelines for cataloguing images using the Picture Queensland web form
Guidelines also available as Word document [new window 
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18. Subject
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Geographic places as subjects (Geographic coverage)
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Named subject headings (LCSH)
Field labels: SUBJECT
Definition: Topics that describe the content of the resource.
Purpose: This element is useful for users who wish to discover resources related to a particular topic. A subject may be topical, the name of a person, organisation, a place, an event or other contextual information.
Obligation: APT: - Mandatory. LCSH: - Optional
Input guidelines
18.1 It is strongly recommended that a recognised thesaurus be used for choosing subjects as this will help clients retrieve consistent results with their searching. Examples of thesauri widely used are the Australian Pictorial Thesaurus (APT) or Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH).
18.2 Picture Queensland uses the APT [new window http://www.picturethesaurus.gov.au] as its preferred thesaurus for topical subject headings as recommended by PictureAustralia [new window http://www.pictureaustralia.org/]. The APT uses contemporary Australian words and phrases to describe objects, people, places, activities and concepts. Using APT terms will facilitate subject searches across national collections. APT includes topical terms only and does not include proper names.
18.3 When allocating subject terms, avoid using very broad terms that provide little assistance for someone trying to find a resource. Use the term/s appropriate to the breadth of the subject to enable retrieval of a targeted set of results. Also refer to the DESCRIPTION element to help select subjects that are both about a subject as well as of a subject and also to bring out the finer detail that is of interest to clients.
18.4 Enter one subject term (or string) per line. The SUBJECT field is repeatable.
18.5 Enter APT terms first. If any LCSH subject headings are used as well, enter them after the APT terms.
Geographic places as subjects (Geographic coverage)
18.6 Use the GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION field for general geographic coverage, eg, towns, cities, districts, etc. as defined in the GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION field. Use LCSH subject headings for named geographical features or structures, eg, names of bridges, names of parks, etc.
Australian Pictorial Thesaurus (APT)
18.7 Consult the APT website and copy and paste terms from APT.
18.8 Enter the subject terms one per line.
For example:
• horse drawn vehicles
• Queenslander architecture
• timber houses
• bullock teamsLibrary of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)
18.9 Use LCSH for subject terms that are not catered for in APT, such as proper names, named events, named geographical structures, etc. They are established according to general cataloguing principles using LCSH and AACR2 guidelines. See Personal and Corporate Names as Subjects and Named Subject Headings (LCSH) below for further details.
Personal and corporate names as subjects
18.10 See the Form of Name section in the PHOTOGRAPHER field for details of the correct format for names.
18.11 Use if the item is about a person or organisation.
For example:
• an image of Sir Samuel Griffith would have a SUBJECT Griffith, Samuel, Sir, 1845-1920
• an image of the Australian Workers Heritage Centre in Barcaldine would have a SUBJECT Australian Workers Heritage Centre (Barcaldine, Qld.)
• an image of the Chinchilla and District Cricket Association would have a SUBJECT Chinchilla and District Cricket Association.18.12 If the subject of the item is also the creator of the item, enter the name in both the SUBJECT and the PHOTOGRAPHER fields.
For example:
• a self portrait of William Boag would include Boag, William, d. 1878 in both SUBJECT and PHOTOGRAPHER fields.18.13 As well as personal and corporate names that are established according to LCNA and AACR2 guidelines, other named subjects can be used, eg, names of geographic features (bridges, buildings, parks, etc.), names of wars, names of events (festivals, cultural events, etc.).
18.14 A guide for establishing the more common types of named subject headings is available as Appendix A.
18.15 APT is the primary thesaurus for assigning topical subject headings but it also makes a few exceptions for establishing more specific terms, eg, brands and models of cars (Holden FJ (cars)), or locomotives where indexers can specify the place of manufacture, names of manufacturer, class, etc. Follow APT directions in these instances.
18.16 In other cases, it will be necessary to either check the State Library of Queensland catalogue in the name or subject indexes to see if the heading already exists, and then copy and paste, or establish subject headings according to LCSH guidelines. (See also Appendix A)
For example:
• an image of the Fitzroy Bridge in Rockhampton would have a SUBJECT Fitzroy Bridge (Rockhampton, Qld.)
• an image of the Queen’s Park in Maryborough would have a SUBJECT Queen’s Park (Maryborough, Qld.)
• an image representing World War 2, eg, soldiers, memorials, etc. would have a SUBJECT World War, 1939-1945
• an image representing the Battle of the Coral Sea would have a SUBJECT Coral Sea, Battle of the, 1942
• an image of the Gold Rush Festival at Gympie would have a SUBJECT Gympie District Gold Rush Festival
Last updated: 4th June 2009
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