1. Library Catalogs
* Traditional Card Catalog: In the past, libraries used physical card catalogs where each card represented a book, and was filed alphabetically by subject.
* Online Library Catalogs: Modern libraries use online catalogs that allow searching by subject, author, title, keyword, etc. You can find specific subject headings like "Science Fiction", "History of the United States", or "Gardening".
* Subject Headings: Library catalogs use standardized subject headings (often called Library of Congress Subject Headings or LCSH) to ensure consistency in cataloging.
2. Online Databases
* Academic Databases: Databases like JSTOR, PubMed, and Google Scholar allow searching by subject to retrieve scholarly articles, research papers, and other academic materials.
* News and Information Databases: Databases like LexisNexis and Factiva offer access to news articles, legal documents, and other information resources that can be searched by subject.
3. Web Directories
* Yahoo! Directory: In the early days of the internet, Yahoo! Directory provided a hierarchical subject-based organization of websites, allowing users to navigate by broad categories like "Arts & Humanities" or "Science & Technology".
* DMOZ (Open Directory Project): Similar to Yahoo! Directory, DMOZ was a large, collaboratively edited web directory that allowed users to find websites by subject.
4. Online Marketplaces
* Amazon: Amazon's website lets you browse products by category (e.g., Books, Electronics, Clothing) and then further refine your search by subcategories or keywords.
* Etsy: This online marketplace allows shoppers to find handcrafted and vintage items by browsing categories like "Jewelry", "Home Decor", and "Art".
5. Educational Resources
* Khan Academy: This online learning platform offers free courses and exercises organized by subject, such as "Math", "Science", and "Humanities".
* Coursera: This online platform hosts courses from various universities and organizations, allowing learners to browse by subject areas such as "Business", "Computer Science", and "Health".
Examples of Subject Catalog Entries:
Here are some examples of how subject headings might appear in a library catalog or online database:
* Fiction
* Science Fiction
* Fantasy
* History
* United States -- History
* American Revolution
* Biology
* Zoology
* Birds
* Gardening
* Vegetable Gardening
These examples illustrate how subject catalogs provide a systematic way to organize information and help users find relevant resources based on their specific interests.