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August 2013

FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology) Users:
Summary and Case Studies

by Jeffrey Mixter and Eric R. Childress

Key findings:

  • Most cited FAST attributes: ease of use, simple syntax, and suitability for non-cataloger application
  • Top three FAST facets used (of eight facets total): Topic, Geographic Names, Form/Genre
  • Publishing FAST as linked data under an open license has favorably advanced its adoption

 

Download the report

Overview

This report explores the real-world use and implementation of FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology), a simplified subject metadata schema derived from the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). The study focuses on understanding who uses FAST, how it's applied, and in what types of systems or workflows.

Summary of Usage Patterns

The first part of the report presents a summary of usage patterns, identifying libraries, publishers, and digital repositories that adopt FAST due to its simplicity and compatibility with modern metadata frameworks. FAST's faceted structure—separating topical, geographic, and form/genre headings—allows for easier machine processing and enhanced discovery across digital platforms.

Case Studies

The second part includes several case studies, illustrating diverse implementations:

  • Library cataloging projects that integrated FAST for user-friendly metadata.
  • Institutional repositories using FAST to support linked data or improve resource discoverability.
  • Publishers and digital libraries, such as RMIT Publishing, which adopted FAST to streamline subject tagging in large-scale metadata creation.

Overall, the information presented in this report will broaden knowledge about who uses FAST as well as how FAST use has grown. The report highlights FAST’s flexibility, lightweight design, and growing adoption across a variety of library and publishing environments. It positions FAST as a forward-looking alternative to traditional subject heading systems, especially in systems seeking automation, interoperability, and web-friendly metadata.

FAST Summary and Case Studies Cover

Publication Metadata:

  • ISBN: 1-55653-459-0 (978-1-55653-459-1)
  • OCLC (WorldCat): 850981735 

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

Mixter, Jeffrey, and Eric R. Childress. 2013. FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology) Users: Summary and Case Studies. Dublin, Ohio: OCLC Research. https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/research/publications/library/2013/FAST-users-summary-case-studies.pdf.