📌 Library of Congress – Subject Cataloging Update (Effective Feb 2, 2026)
🎯 What’s Changing?
LC will no longer add form subdivisions ($v) to the end of subject heading strings.
➡️ Instead, subject form concepts will be expressed using LC Genre/Form Terms (LCGFT).
🗓 Effective Date
February 2, 2026
📘 Why This Change?
✔ Simplify Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH & CYAC) cataloging
✔ Support BIBFRAME & linked data environments
✔ Facilitate the use of URIs for subject authority records
✔ Improve clarity and consistency in cataloging practice
🔍 Key Practice Change
Old method:
Use form subdivision ($v) at the end of subject strings
Example: Human rights workers $v Diaries
New method:
Keep subject term clean
Add separate Genre/Form Term (LCGFT) entry
Example:
Human rights workers (subject)
Diaries (genre/form) (LCGFT)
📈 Benefits
⭐ Shorter, clearer subject headings
⭐ Better alignment with faceted vocabularies
⭐ Easier linked data integration
⭐ More robust machine processing
🧠 Notes
❗ LC will not retroactively convert records already cataloged using $v.
❗ Institutions are not required to follow this practice—they can choose based on their workflows.
📌 Library of Congress – Subject Cataloging Change (LCGFT & Form Subdivisions FAQ)
📅 Effective Date
February 2, 2026
(The change in practice begins)
💡 What’s New?
LC will omit form subdivisions ($v) in Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and use LC Genre/Form Terms (LCGFT) instead.
📦 Scope of Change
✔ Applies to new LC records cataloged via the BIBFRAME editor Marva.
✔ Includes rare materials & CYAC subject strings using LCGFT.
🚫 Not Retroactive
Existing records are not automatically converted.
🧰 Process
The change will occur via automated updates + human review when cataloging in Marva.
🔍 Impact on Catalogs & OPAC
• Form info will shift to separate genre/form filters.
• OPAC users will need to use genre/form as a filter when searching.
📌 Authority Records & Terms
✔ LC will continue to maintain authority records for $v subdivisions.
✔ No new proposals will be accepted for form subdivisions; proposals will only be for LCGFT.
🧠 Ongoing Work
LC is reviewing existing $v terms and proposing new LCGFT equivalents to replace them.
🧩 Audience & Other Data
Audience aspects from old form subdivisions may be recorded via LC Demographic Group Terms (LCDGT) instead of $v.
See Also:
- Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)
- BIBFRAME (Bibliographic Framework)
- Cataloging
- Subject Cataloging
References:
1. Announcement: LC to Expand use of LCGFT and Implement Subject Heading Cataloging Simplification
2. FAQ on omission of $v subfield in LCSH and expanded use of LCGFT
 and Implement Subject Heading (LCSH and CYAC—Children & Young Adult) Cataloging Simplification){kind=link}