Genre and Form Terms

Listed below, in order of preference, are the types of genre headings to be used in Polaris records. Please see exceptions and use notes below.

LCGFT - Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms for Library and Archival Materials

GSAFD - Guidelines on subject access to individual works of fiction, drama, etc.

LCSH – Library of Congress Subject Headings

OLACVGGT - (OLAC Video Game Genre Terms) in records for video games

Genre Terms for Tabletop Games (GTTG)

LCGFT Use Notes:

• Delete the following generic lcgft terms from Polaris records
  • Fiction
  • Information works
  • Literature
  • Novels

GSAFD Use Notes:

• Do not use the heading Romantic suspense fiction
• Regency fiction can be used as appropriate in Polaris records

LCSH Use Notes:

• Use an LCSH term coded as a genre or form term if a scope note (MARC tag 680) in the authority record allows.
  • If the scope note in the 680 field says that the term is used for works of a given type, then it can be used in a 655 field in a bibliographic record as a genre or form term
  • If the scope note in the 680 field says the term is used for works about or on works of a given type, then it cannot be used in a 655 field in a bibliographic record
  • If there is no 680 field in the authority record, the cataloger should use his or her best judgement
  • For LC headings used as genre terms: 655 _ 0 ‡a[LC term].
• Use of an LCSH topical heading:
  • If a Library of Congress topical heading can be used as a genre heading according to the above guidelines, approval as a local subject heading is not required.
  • If a Library of Congress topical heading cannot be considered an LCSH genre heading according to the above guidelines, but your library would like to use it that way, please submit a request for approval of a local subject heading. If it’s determined the heading may be used, it will be added to the list of approved local subject headings