Hi Jesse,

I think what you're looking for is in the Subject Headings Manual , although it's very vague:

H 364 Authorization for Geographic Subdivision

The Library's past practice was to authorize subject headings for geographic subdivision only when further subdivision by place was actually needed for works being cataloged.  Currently, new headings are authorized for geographic subdivision at the point when they are established if they represent topics that could exist in a specific location or could be discussed in relation to a place, whether or not geographic subdivision is needed for the item in hand.  In addition, LC previously did not authorize certain categories of headings for geographic subdivision, such as Latin names of animals and plants below the taxonomic level of order, domestic breeds of animals, and individual groups of Indians.  These types of headings now receive authorization to be subdivided by place when they are established.  Projects have been undertaken at LC to add geographic subdivision authorization to categories of previously unsubdivided headings, but numerous headings with potential geographic orientation currently lack the authorization.

... Authorize  headings to be subdivided geographically that represent topics that have a geographic orientation, or that could be discussed in relation to a place or to a population in a particular location, including ethnic groups; living, extinct, or fossil organisms; languages; types of objects and equipment; types of organizations and structures; disciplines and fields of study; processes, activities, and phenomena; chemicals and materials; diseases; economic, social, and psychological concepts; types of events; etc.  Code such headings to authorize geographic subdivision whether or not geographic subdivision is needed for individual works being cataloged.

Hope that helps!

Leigh

On Fri, Mar 10, 2017 at 11:28 AM, Jesse Lambertson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Happy Friday

I am looking at the Subjects Headings manual for information, a complete rule, on when a topic may be geographically subdivided and when it may not.

Cataloger's Desktop lists all the headings and includes the additional note about which ones may be subdivided geographically. It also mentions the addition of (May Subd Geog) as generated from the existence of "i" in field 008/06 in the authority record.

But I am looking for the rule that actually explains why some headings can be while others not.

In which documentation might I find this philosophical guidance?

Thank you,

Jesse

--

Jesse A Lambertson, MLIS

Head of Cataloging & Metadata

Georgetown University Law Library

[log in to unmask]
Ph: 202-662-9167

--

Leigh Billings ([log in to unmask])

Slavic Cataloger, International Studies

University of Michigan Library

112-F Hatcher Graduate Library

913 S. University Ave.

Ann Arbor, MI 48109

(734) 647-3819