Genre and Form Terms

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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
Rev. 02-2024