Subject Cataloging: Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms for Library and Archival Materials (LCGFT)

Sources to Consult

LCGFT Controlled Vocabulary

Search and browse LC Genre/Form Terms:

• via ClassWeb Plus
• via the LC Linked Data Service

Reference Materials

• Library of Congress Genre Form Terms (LCGFT) Manual
  • Introduction to Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms for Library and Archival Materials

General Information and History

• Genre/Form Headings at the Library of Congress

Background

Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms for Library and Archival Materials (LCGFT) indicate what a bibliographic resource is, rather than what it is about.

LCGFTs are identifiable in the Subject Authority File by an LCCN (MARC 010) beginning with “gf” and by Subject/thesaurus convention (MARC 040 ǂf) with “lcgft”:

GPO initially added LCGFTs only to original and adapted records for Congressionals, cartographic resources, and audiovisual resources. GPO now adds LCGFTs to all records that describe resources for which genre/form terms are appropriate.

LCGFTs are assigned in the 655 fields of bibliographic records as:

655 _7 ǂa Term. ǂ2 lcgft

General Policies

• Rules for using and proposing LCGFTs are in Library of Congress Genre Form Terms (LCGFT) Manual.
• Find appropriate LCGFTs using any of the following resources:
  • ClassWeb Plus
  • LC Linked Data Service
  • Genre (ge: ) facet in the LC Names and Subjects file in OCLC
• When an appropriate LCGFT exists, add it to a new or adapted bibliographic record at the time of cataloging.
  • Check the scope note and 670 citations before using a term.
  • Continue adding appropriate $v form subdivisions in LCSH fields as well.
  • For adapted records, see Bibliographic Cataloging: General Policies, Access Points in Adapted OCLC Records (Copy Cataloging).
  • Multiple LCGFTs may be entered, as needed, in a single bibliographic record.
• Some recommended genre/form terms are listed in Selected LCGFT for Government Publications, below.
• Tip: In OCLC Connexion, enter the term alone in a field coded 655 #7. Then, simply control the heading, and OCLC will supply ǂ2 lcgft.

Selected LCGFT for Government Publications

The following table contains selected LCGFTs for use with government publications; it does not contain all terms that could be relevant.

Bolded terms are broader terms of the LCGFTs below them, but italicized terms are not valid LCGFTs. 

Cartographic Resources

• Use the following terms for these specific types of maps:
  • Bathymetric maps: see authority record gf2011026081
  • Nautical charts: use for nautical charts from NOAA and other agencies
  • Quadrangle maps: use for USGS quadrangles
  • Remote sensing maps: use for satellite imagery
  • Road maps: use for Motor vehicle use maps
  • Topographic maps: see authority record gf2011026697, especially scope note
  • Tourist maps: use for maps from the National Park Service, National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other agencies that show trails, recreation sites, and other features of interest to visitors
• Other terms may be used as appropriate.
  • Additional terms can be found in the Library of Congress Research Guide on Cataloging Cartographic Materials: List of Genre/Form Headings.