What's the purpose of the linked authority records in WebDewey?

Library of Congress subject headings (LCSH) appear in records for most schedule numbers and built numbers in WebDewey. These headings have been mapped to DDC numbers either intellectually, statistically, or a combination of both. The mapped headings are hotlinked directly to their corresponding authority record, and this feature serves to enhance cataloger efficiency.

Suppose you're classifying a work on the psychological effects of helping behavior and decide 155.93 is the appropriate base number. You may notice that the LCSH for Bystander effect has been editorially mapped to this number. This piques your interest and you decide to check the LCSH authority record for Bystander effect. The most efficient way to do this is to click the hotlinked LCSH. WebDewey opens a new window for this authority record, and you learn from its 670 field that the bystander effect (the more people present when help is needed, the less likely any one of them is to provide assistance) is relevant to your work. You decide to add this subject heading as an access point in your bibliographic record.

Last revised: 24 June 2005