[DCRM-L] Proposals related to $v from Tentative List 2607

[Jurgemeyer, Karla]

[Apologies for cross-posting]

Dear colleagues:

The ALA Core SAC Working Group on $v Retention would like to draw the library community's attention to several proposals from the Library of Congress on the latest subject headings Tentative List (2607<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://classweb.org/tentative-subjects/2607.html__;!!EDx7F7x-0XSOB8YS_BQ!an8b1bdcLdrFw3_MHP3mNP4S1T9LdE7EQbk5s8oesBBRGQig0yLQQxS_AGSuOfnhhQmOm4maxnKtysAuxZXgDvQbV-O_s9yKjZ8$>) to change established authority records that include $v. These are:

  *   Botany $v Pre-Linnean works → Pre-Linnean botany (sp 85015997)
  *   Natural history $v Pre-Linnean works → Pre-Linnean natural history (sp 85090231)
  *   Zoology $v Pre-Linnean works → Pre-Linnean zoology (sp 85149989)

These proposals change a topic/form combination into a topic. Patrons would expect the revised headings to be used for works about Pre-Linnean sciences, not examples of Pre-Linnean scientific works (i.e., contemporary works discussing Pre-Linnean sciences would presumably also get assigned the revised subject headings).

The proposals run counter to the Library of Congress’ assurance in January 2026<https://www.loc.gov/aba/cataloging/subject/form-announcement.pdf> that “There is no requirement for any institution to follow the Library’s practice of not using $v,” since libraries cannot choose to use subject headings that no longer exist. They also undermine the January 2026 FAQ<https://www.loc.gov/aba/cataloging/subject/formfaq.pdf> statement that “Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) will continue to maintain the authority records for all form subdivisions,” and that the Library of Congress would merely “modify [authority records that use $v subfields as part of a controlled string] to give alternate instructions” rather than completely alter them.

The Working Group recommends that anyone concerned about these proposals email listcomments at loc.gov<mailto:listcomments at loc.gov> by Monday, July 20, 2026 with opposition to the changes.

*****************

And a friendly reminder that those concerned about ongoing developments are welcome to sign the Open letter about further alterations to Library of Congress Subject Headings<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://docs.google.com/document/d/18R2WMf9qAj5twyH6ue9BD4nnpoI7XQs7gCIvwzfoMI8/edit?usp=sharing__;!!EDx7F7x-0XSOB8YS_BQ!an8b1bdcLdrFw3_MHP3mNP4S1T9LdE7EQbk5s8oesBBRGQig0yLQQxS_AGSuOfnhhQmOm4maxnKtysAuxZXgDvQbV-O_9YcfL1U$> and/or Open letter about the LCSH modernization discussion group<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KzIdIedSOkUyeQbsj_q8wj1_7ax3qTNY4YCXu3WmiIc/edit?usp=sharing__;!!EDx7F7x-0XSOB8YS_BQ!an8b1bdcLdrFw3_MHP3mNP4S1T9LdE7EQbk5s8oesBBRGQig0yLQQxS_AGSuOfnhhQmOm4maxnKtysAuxZXgDvQbV-O_6R7Jphk$>, and if desired endorse the recommendations in the Working Group's report<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://docs.google.com/document/d/12sYgYhVSyM1nObY-QeH-VySjYHxoSQTEj2xwBFTwf98/edit?usp=sharing__;!!EDx7F7x-0XSOB8YS_BQ!an8b1bdcLdrFw3_MHP3mNP4S1T9LdE7EQbk5s8oesBBRGQig0yLQQxS_AGSuOfnhhQmOm4maxnKtysAuxZXgDvQbV-O_FVsDdfE$>, through the July 31, 2026 deadline (after which the Group will cease activities).

The signing form can be found here: https://forms.gle/9Q5b5Vc57jTqMjw76<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://forms.gle/9Q5b5Vc57jTqMjw76__;!!EDx7F7x-0XSOB8YS_BQ!an8b1bdcLdrFw3_MHP3mNP4S1T9LdE7EQbk5s8oesBBRGQig0yLQQxS_AGSuOfnhhQmOm4maxnKtysAuxZXgDvQbV-O_KXvCCrc$>

Thanks for considering emailing, signing, and/or endorsing, and making your voice heard!

Sincerely,
Deborah Tomaras, Working Group chair

(Karla Jurgemeyer posting on behalf of Deborah Tomaras and the ALA Core SAC Working Group on $v Retention)

Karla Jurgemeyer
Pronouns: she/her
Faculty Research Assistant | Monographs and Special Collections Cataloger
Resource Acquisitions and Sharing Department (RAS)
Oregon State University Libraries and Press (OSULP)
The Valley Library
karla.jurgemeyer at oregonstate.edu
541-737-7317
Schedule: M-F 8:00-5:00
Remote Thursdays

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