Faceted Application of Subject Terminology (FAST)

Faceted Application of Subject Terminology (FAST) is a subject-heading system developed by the OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) as a simplified alternative to the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). FAST is designed to facilitate subject classification by organizing terms into facets, which represent different aspects or attributes of a subject. This system is more flexible and easier to implement than traditional subject heading systems like LCSH, and it is widely used for library cataloging and metadata management.

Key Features of FAST:

1. Faceted Approach:
   
   

   • FAST organizes subject terms into facets, where each facet captures a different aspect of a subject. For instance, a book about climate change could be classified in multiple facets, such as "topic," "geographic region," "time period," and "form."
     
     

   • This makes it possible to describe a topic from multiple perspectives (e.g., the subject of climate change can be categorized by its scientific, political, economic, and geographic dimensions).
     
     

   • Facets allow for multi-dimensional classification of topics, offering more precise and flexible subject descriptions.
     
     

2. Simplified Version of LCSH:
   
   

   • FAST is based on the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), but it simplifies the system by limiting the complex hierarchical relationships found in LCSH.
     
     

   • FAST eliminates the need for LCSH's intricate hierarchical structure, and instead, it focuses on a more straightforward approach to categorizing subjects.
     
     

   • The system retains the controlled vocabulary and standardization of LCSH, making it familiar to those used to library classification systems.
     
     

3. Facets: FAST divides subject terms into distinct facets that describe different aspects of a topic. Some of the common facets in FAST include:
   
   

   • Topical: The core subject or theme (e.g., "climate change," "history of the American Revolution").
     
     

   • Geographic: The geographic location(s) relevant to the topic (e.g., "Europe," "United States").
     
     

   • Chronological: The time period associated with the topic (e.g., "20th century," "Medieval").
     
     

   • Form: The format or type of material (e.g., "biographies," "encyclopedias").
     
     

4. For example, the subject "World War II" in FAST could have the following facets:
   
   

   • Topical: "World War II"
     
     

   • Geographic: "Europe," "Pacific Ocean"
     
     

   • Chronological: "1939-1945"
     
     

   • Form: "Campaigns" or "Personal narratives"
     
     

5. Controlled Vocabulary:
   
   

   • FAST uses a controlled vocabulary similar to LCSH, so it has a predefined set of terms that help catalogers consistently apply subject headings. This ensures that subjects are classified consistently across different libraries and catalogs.
     
     

   • However, it simplifies the process by reducing the number of complex cross-references and hierarchical relationships found in LCSH.
     
     

6. No Complex Hierarchies:
   
   

   • Unlike LCSH, FAST avoids complex broader and narrower terms or intricate relationships between subjects. Instead, it organizes subject headings into more flexible and straightforward categories, making it easier for catalogers to apply.
     
     

7. Use in Digital Libraries:
   
   

   • FAST is especially useful in digital libraries and online catalogs where a simple and effective subject classification system is necessary. Its faceted approach allows for efficient subject indexing of resources, making it easy for users to find materials on related topics across multiple categories.
     
     

Benefits of FAST:

• Flexibility: The faceted structure of FAST allows catalogers to capture different aspects of a topic without being constrained by a rigid hierarchy.
  
  

• Simplicity: FAST simplifies subject cataloging by removing complex hierarchical structures and focusing on a more user-friendly approach.
  
  

• Interdisciplinary Classification: FAST is particularly helpful for interdisciplinary research topics, where a single subject could belong to multiple domains (e.g., "climate change" could have facets of "environment," "policy," and "sociology").
  
  

• Easier Maintenance and Updates: Because it does not rely on deep hierarchical relationships, FAST is easier to maintain and update as new topics emerge.
  
  

Example of FAST in Action:

Let's say you're cataloging a book about climate change. In the FAST system, you might classify it using multiple facets:

• Topical: "Climate change"
  
  

• Geographic: "Global," "Arctic"
  
  

• Chronological: "21st century"
  
  

• Form: "Case studies," "Research papers"
  
  

This structure allows users to search for the book in multiple ways, whether they're interested in climate change as a topic, case studies related to it, or its impact in a specific region or time period.

FAST vs. LCSH:

• LCSH: More detailed, with complex hierarchical structures and interrelationships between terms.
  
  

• FAST: Simpler, with fewer hierarchical layers, focusing instead on facets that describe different aspects of a topic.
  
  

Conclusion:

Faceted Application of Subject Terminology (FAST) is a practical and user-friendly alternative to more complex subject heading systems like LCSH. Its faceted approach allows for the classification of resources across multiple dimensions, making it particularly useful for digital libraries, interdisciplinary studies, and for library systems seeking to simplify cataloging tasks.

Would you like more information on how FAST is applied in specific libraries or examples of its use?