Authority Files for Cataloging Pictures: Common Choices
Authority files contain names and subjects that can be added to
catalog records to simplify searching by providing a consistent
vocabulary for access points. You may hear authority files referred
to by other names: thesauruses, heading lists, indexing vocabularies,
or taxonomies. The specialized scope of most authority files means
that libraries and archives often rely on several vocabulary sources.
Typically, you need to select a source for names of people as well
as source(s) for topical subjects and genre-form terms.
Example: A person cataloging many media (e.g., books,
maps, posters, sound recordings) relies on the Library
of Congress Authorities to select access points for people,
places, events, and subjects. When appropriate terms for pictorial
subjects are not found, a tool emphasizing visual topics is consulted,
such as the Art
& Architecture Thesaurus or Thesaurus
for Graphic Materials.
Example: An archives specializing in photographs or
cartoons turns to the Thesaurus for Graphic
Materials as its primary subject indexing tool, supplemented
by a list of local headings as needed.
To help you find authority files appropriate for indexing the pictorial
materials at your own institution, this resource list cites the
online files most commonly used when cataloging documentary photographs,
cartoons, prints, posters, illustrations, and design drawings. Representative
examples of locally developed subject authority files are also mentioned.
Many other authority files exist for such specialized subject fields
as astronomy, economics, and real estate. The Taxonomy
Warehouse provides a directory of some two hundred vocabularies.
The wordHOARD describes
international terminology initiatives and thesauruses related to
cultural object collections.
When trying to find authority file(s) appropriate for your information
system, it can be helpful to test alternative vocabularies. First,
select several catalog records. Then, identify two or three authority
files and assign access points from each of them to the catalog
records. Compare the results and get reactions from your catalog
users to determine which tools best suit your particular community.
For additional information on the benefits of using controlled
vocabularies from authority files, see:
- Lanzi, Elisa. Introduction to Vocabularies: Enhancing Access
to Cultural Heritage Information. Los Angeles, CA: Getty
Information Institute, 1998.
- Riecks, David. Controlled
Vocabulary.com. (Focuses on image databases.)
The Library of Congress does not maintain most of these sites. Users
should direct concerns about these links to their respective site
administrators or webmasters.
Table of Contents
Name Authority Files
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) http://geonames.usgs.gov/
Almost 2 million names for "physical and cultural geographic
features in the United States and its territories." Produced
by the U.S. Geological Survey with the U.S. Board on Geographic
Names.
GEONet Names Server (GNS) http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/index.html
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency offers access to
a database of foreign geographic feature names containing ca.
4.0 million features with 5.5 million names
George Eastman House Photography Database http://www.geh.org/gehdata.html
Names and biographical information for thousands of photographers
represented in museums and libraries. Last updated Nov. 2002.
Earlier version available as printed book: Index to American
Photographic Collections, ed. by Andrew H. Eskind, 3rd enl.
ed. (New York: G.K. Hall, 1996).
Library of Congress Authorities: Name Authority File
http://authorities.loc.gov/
Provides 5.3 million name authority records
-- ca. 3.8 million personal names, 900,000 corporate names, 120,000
names for meetings, and 90,000 geographic names. Created by the
Library of Congress with contributions from other libraries.
Thesaurus for Geographic Names (TGN) http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/tgn/tgn
"The TGN is a structured, world-coverage vocabulary of
1.3 million names, including vernacular and historical names,
coordinates, and place types, and descriptive notes, focusing
on places important for the study of art and architecture."
Produced by the Getty Vocabulary Program of the J. Paul Getty
Trust.
Union List of Artist Names (ULAN) http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/ulan/
"The ULAN is a structured vocabulary containing more than
225,000 names and biographical and bibliographic information about
artists and architects ..." Produced by the Getty Vocabulary
Program of the J. Paul Getty Trust.
Subject Authority Files
Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/
"The AAT is a structured vocabulary of more than 133,000
terms, descriptions, bibliographic citations, and other information
relating to fine art, architecture, decorative arts, archival
materials, and material culture." Produced by the Getty Vocabulary
Program of the J. Paul Getty Trust.
Australian Picture Thesaurus (APT) http://www.picturethesaurus.gov.au/
"The Australian Pictorial Thesaurus (APT) is a collection
of topic terms for indexing Australian images. The APT uses contemporary
Australian terminology to describe objects, people, places and
structures, activities and concepts depicted in an image."
Approximately 15,000 terms. Sponsored by the Australian Council
of State Libraries.
Canadian Subject Headings (CSH)
http://www.collectionscanada.ca/csh/index-e.html
"Over 6000 subject authority records in the English language,
providing in-depth coverage of Canadian topics ..." Sponsored
by the Library and Archives of Canada.
Digital Newsphoto Archives Keywords http://www.ibiblio.org/slanews/archiving/terms/photowords.htm
Includes 500 "enhancement terms" to index news photographs.
The "Text
and Photo Database Enhancement Terms" project lists indexing
vocabularies from several newspaper photo libraries. Sponsored
by the Special Libraries Association, News Division.
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)
http://authorities.loc.gov/
More than 250,000 terms for both topics and names used as subjects.
Produced by the Library of Congress, Cataloging Policy and Support
Office. Also available as printed volumes or through Cataloger's
Desktop.
Medical Subject Headings (MESH) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/meshhome.html
More than 20,000 descriptors for medical and health-related
information. Produced by the National Library of Medicine.
Thesaurus for Graphic Materials I: Subject Terms
(TGM I) http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/tgm1/
Almost 7,000 terms for topics represented in general picture
collections. Includes activities, facilities, objects, occupations,
and abstract and general concepts, but no proper noun names for
people or places. Produced by the Library of Congress, Prints
& Photographs Division.
Form-Genre Authority Files
Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/
The AAT contains thousands of terms for indexing pictorial materials
by their object type, format, genre, and physical characteristics.
See especially the Visual and Verbal Communications hierarchy
in the Objects facet area.
Thesaurus for Graphic Materials II: Genre, Form, and Physical
Characteristic Terms (TGM II) http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/tgm2/
Approximately 600 terms, with definitions, to designate types
of photographs, prints, design drawings, and other visual media.
Produced by Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division.
Local Authority Files (representative examples)
City of Vancouver Archives, Photograph Subject Terms List
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/archives/webpubhtml/w_phsubj.htm
About 650 terms, including Vancouver (B.C.)--Public works; Victory
Square (Vancouver, B.C.); Visits of state; Waterspouts; and World
War, 1914-1918.
Denver Public Library, Photography Collection
http://photoswest.org/samplesubj.html
A sampling of ca. 500 subject headings that can be used to search
an OPAC. Includes subjects, people, geographic locations, and
photographic terms.
Kalamazoo College, Archives, Photographs -- Subject Headings
http://www.kzoo.edu/is/library/archives/policies/photographs.html#sh
A classified list of ca. 200 topics including Academics--Art
Department; Athletics--Archery; Buildings--Alumni House; Hazing;
and Presidential portraits.
Compiled by Helena Zinkham, Technical Services Section,
Prints & Photographs Division, July 2004.
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