Essential Library of Congress Subject Headings provides just what the title proclaims—exactly that which is essential to the topic. More comprehensive books have been written on the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) with an advanced readership in mind. The author even recommends one: Lois Mai Chan’s Library of Congress Subject Headings: Principles and Practice.1 Although Chan’s book analyzes LCSH in great depth, leaving no subdivision unturned, those readers without a solid cataloging background may feel confused and lost. In contrast, Broughton writes for the novice cataloger, library school student, and reference librarian or other library professional who wishes to understand the fundamentals of LCSH. No prior cataloging knowledge or experience is necessary to appreciate this book.

This is the third book in a series by the same author. Other titles, Essential Classification and Essential Thesaurus Construction, are similarly written for specific use in the cataloging and classification courses at University College London.² As a result, Broughton’s audience is mainly British. In her preface, she explains that use of LCSH in the United Kingdom “is a relatively recent phenomenon, and there is no substantial history of library school education in the use of LCSH, or, indeed, of subject indexing or subject heading languages in general” (vii). Throughout the book, she often addresses the UK reader directly, noting differences between cataloging in a US institution and one in the United Kingdom. A table illustrating differences between US and UK terminology is included to show readers that when searching LCSH, they must search for US terminology rather than UK. One example she provides is the difference in definition between the terms “private schools” and “public schools” on either side of the Atlantic (20).

This is not to say that the book is not also helpful to audiences outside of University College, to those outside the UK, or to experienced catalogers already familiar with LCSH. General concepts are outlined simply, which makes the text a quick and enjoyable read. Broughton’s style is both conversational and informative. She has a talent for relating the often-abstract concepts of subject headings to practical application. While the book may not be as exhaustive as related titles, it does a much better job of explaining LCSH in a way that is easy for professional catalogers to grasp quickly in the middle of their busy workday.

The author begins with a brief history of LCSH, which can be found elsewhere, most extensively in The LCSH Century: One Hundred Years with the Library of Congress Subject Headings System.³ Broughton’s abbreviated history leads to an overview of the basic principles behind LCSH and of the concepts behind subject heading lists in general. Perhaps the most interesting section of the book comes in chapter 3, “Subject Heading Lists and the Problems of Language,” in which challenges of the English language are discussed in relation to subject cataloging. Here she answers the question, “What do words mean?” Synonyms and homonyms are addressed, as are the structural disadvantages of word-based systems. What follows is a how-to guide to LCSH, divided for the most part into chapters based on types of headings and types of materials cataloged.

Unfortunately, with the exception of one short chapter at the end, most of the text focuses on the print version of the five-volume Library of Congress Subject Headings instead of the online resource Classification Web.⁴ The text’s focus on this print resource, largely out-of-use in research libraries, is the book’s main problem. Catalogers working primarily with Classification Web and other online resources will be left ill prepared if Essential Library of Congress Subject Headings is the only guide they consult.

The brevity of the text also is a disadvantage. Broughton briefly describes the establishment of name headings but does not mention the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO). Likewise, she briefly describes the establishment of geographic headings without much information about the PCC Subject Authority Cooperative Program (SACO). The inherent bias of LCSH is addressed, but not in depth. Other inconsistencies of LCSH, however, are discussed at length. For example, Broughton notes that some numbers are spelled out in their headings, such as “Fifth Avenue (New York, N.Y.),” but not all, such as “10 Downing Street” (29). No explanations are made for these inconsistencies, but the reader is given fair warning that they exist.

Bearing its faults in mind, Essential Library of Congress Subject Headings is still an important addition to the library of books available on LCSH. Detailed treatises on the subject abound, but Broughton has written a concise introduction. This may prove indispensible to those who are new to subject headings while also serving as a quick reference guide to those already familiar with them.