FAST: Faceted Application of Subject Terminology: Principles and Application
by: Lois Mai Chan and Edward T. O'Neill
FAST: Faceted Application of Subject Terminology: Principles and Application is a foundational resource that introduces and explains the development, structure, and use of the FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology) system.
Key points about FAST:
- FAST simplifies subject access by offering a streamlined alternative to the complex structure of Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), making it easier to apply and maintain.
- The faceted structure—with eight distinct facets including topic, geographic, personal name, and chronological—enhances flexibility and supports modern metadata standards like Dublin Core.
- Designed for digital environments, FAST enables improved machine processing, discovery, and interoperability, particularly in online catalogs and institutional repositories.
- Ideal for non-MARC systems, FAST supports scalable metadata creation, making it especially useful in large-scale digital library projects.
- Early implementations show promise, demonstrating that FAST improves metadata consistency and supports user-friendly discovery interfaces.
Overview
FAST: Faceted Application of Subject Terminology: Principles and Application offers a clear, in-depth introduction to the FAST subject heading system. This book explains how FAST was developed as a simplified, faceted alternative to the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), making subject metadata easier to assign, manage, and apply in digital environments.
Designed with modern discovery systems in mind, FAST separates concepts into distinct facets—such as topic, geographic location, and time period—enabling flexible and machine-friendly subject access. The book outlines the structure and purpose of all eight facets and provides practical guidance on applying FAST in cataloging and metadata workflows, especially for digital collections and institutional repositories.
Ideal for librarians, metadata specialists, and developers, this foundational text highlights FAST’s role in supporting linked data, semantic web compatibility, and streamlined metadata practices. It remains an essential resource for anyone working to improve subject access in today’s evolving information landscape.

Publication Metadata:
- ISBN: 1591587220, (978-1-59158-722-4)
- OCLC (WorldCat): 624025531
- Print Book, English, ©2010
- Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, Santa Barbara, Calif., ©2010
Related Pages and Projects
Learn morea bout FAST and try the FAST Applications:
Learn more about the history of FAST and how it was developed:
Suggested Citation:
Chan, Lois Mai, and Edward T. O'Neill. 2010. FAST: Faceted Application of Subject Terminology: Principles and Application. Santa Barbara, CA. Libraries Unlimited.