Children's subject headings

For children's material, follow the subject and genre headings guidelines with these additions.

See also foreign language materials for resources in languages other than English.

Subject headings

Any of the following are acceptable in the CCS database. For original cataloging, prefer at least LCSH.

• LCSH only
• LC Children’s Subject Headings only
• LCSH + LC Children’s Subject Headings

650 _0 Dogs‡vJuvenile fiction.

650 _1 Dogs‡vFiction.

650 _0 Dogs‡vJuvenile fiction.
650 _1 Dogs‡vFiction.

650 _0 Swine‡vJuvenile fiction.
650 _1 Pigs‡vFiction.

Do not use LC Children’s Subject Headings in the form [Language] language materials.

INCORRECT:
650 _1 Spanish language materials.
655 _1 Spanish language materials. 

Use the heading Children's stories only for collections of stories and works about children’s stories.

650 _0 Children’s stories, American. 
(a collection of stories)

INCORRECT:
650 _0 Children’s stories, American.
(a single work)

Use the subdivision Pictorial works only as applicable for nonfiction works, not for picture books.

650 _0 Dogs‡vJuvenile fiction.
655 _7 Picture books.‡2lcgft

INCORRECT:
650 _0 Dogs‡vFiction‡vPictorial works. 

Use the subdivision Specimens only for realia

650 _0 Telescopes‡vSpecimens. 
655 _7 Toy and movable books.‡2lcgft

INCORRECT:
650 _0 Toy and movable books‡vSpecimens.
655 _7 Toy and movable books‡vSpecimens. 

Genre headings

Use a 655 field for genre/form headings. If a genre/form heading is valid as an LC Children’s Subject Heading in a 650 field, use an equivalent LCGFT or local genre heading instead, in a 655 field.

655 _7 Fantasy fiction.‡2lcgft
655 _0 Board books.

650 _1 Fantasy.
650 _1 Board books. 

Common genre/form headings for children’s materials:

655 _0 Big books. (For enlarged, poster-size books designed to be read aloud in a group setting.)
655 _0 Board books.
655 _7 Lift-the-flap books.‡2lcgft
655 _0 Miniature books. (For books 10 cm or less in both height and width.)
655 _7 Picture books.‡2lcgft 
655 _7 Pop-up books.‡2lcgft
655 _7 Toy and movable books.‡2lcgft (For manipulative books not covered by a more specific heading.)