A list of the headings selected for use in a catalogue, compiled as an official work of reference by the cataloguers for use in the cataloguing department. The file registers are approved form of each heading to eliminate further search if the same heading be required again for the cataloguing of later books. Name of persons, places, corporate bodies, conventional titles of anonymous works, series titles used as headings for series entries, and names of subjects may all be entered A list of the headings selected for use in a catalogue, compiled as an official work of reference by the cataloguers for use in the cataloguing department.
The file registers are approved form of each heading to eliminate further search if the same heading be required again for the cataloguing of later books. Name of persons, places, corporate bodies, conventional titles of anonymous works, series titles used as headings for series entries, and names of subjects may all be entered in the authority file. Subject headings, however, are more often entered in a separate file.
The file is usually compiled on cards or slips, vertically filed, a slip being made for each heading newly established. The form authorized for use as heading is shown exactly as regards fullness, punctuation, capitalization, italicization, and for personal names, any additional designations, degrees, etc. including in the heading (e.g. editor, translator, compiler etc.) is not shown, since one person may act in different capacities with respect to different books.