Lenore Bell
Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:36:55 -0800
Dear Yossi and friends, We received a similar question from another HebNACO colleague recently.
In many instances, it seems, it was not deemed practicable to have separate headings for a particular sect/denomination and for its members/adherents. Applying a single heading for works on a particular sect precluded the need to make the often fine determination as to whether a work was about the sect or the adherents, or both. We would have to consult further with PSD to learn more about the origin of this practice, and clearly there are many instances in LCSH in which there are parallel/paired headings for both sect and adherents. In some cases, LC has used the "class of persons" formula for representing a sect, e.g., Karaites, Baptists, Hanafites, Ultra-Orthodox Jews. In other cases, the heading names the denomination, e.g., Reform Judaism, Orthodox Judaism. The choice of the terminology is based on the evaluation of reference sources. In some instances, a scope note indicates explicitly that the heading is used to represent both the sect and its members, (cf., Karaites, sh 85071589, "Here are entered works on the Jewish sect known as Karaites and works on its adherents as a class of persons...") SHM H 1185 on Religions covers headings for sects and denominations, and allows for the assignment of the subdivisions listed on a free-floating basis regardless as to whether the heading appears as the form of the name of the sect or as the "class of persons" for the adherents. However, the subdivisions authorized for free-floating assignment per SHM H 1100, are only applicable to "Class of persons" headings. Hence the question, why not establish "Orthodox Jews" in addition to "Orthodox Judaism"? Before doing so, we will need to look further into this question of whether it is practicable to have a pair of headings for each denomination and its corresponding adherents. I hope that this background info is helpful. Lenore Lenore Bell Israel & Judaica Section / Asian & Middle Eastern Division / Library of Congress (202) 707-7313 / l...@loc.gov >>> Joseph Galron-Goldschlaeger <galro...@osu.edu> 2/3/2010 3:01 PM >>> Question: Is there a reason that there is no Subject heading for Orthodox Jews or Secular Jews, but there is one for Ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) Yossi Joseph (Yossi) Galron-Goldschlaeger Head, Hebraica & Jewish Studies Library 355A Thompson Memorial Library The Ohio State University Libraries 1858 Neil Ave. Mall Columbus, Ohio 43210 USA E-Mail: galro...@osu.edu or jgal...@gmail.com Tel.: (614) 292-3362, Fax: (614)292-1918 URL: http://library.osu.edu/about/departments/jewish-studies/ Lexicon of Modern Hebrew Literature: http://hebrewlit.notlong.com