CLS 201

The Library of Congress is the authority that controls the vocabulary of subject headings that academic libraries use to organize their collections. Understanding and knowing subject headings can open up many resources that might not be found through keyword searching. 

The tricky part is that these subject headings are controlled, meaning that the Library of Congress (LOC) decides what they are and then libraries have to use them. So it's helpful to know where to find these subject headings. 

1. If you have a book title that is on the subject you're interested in, search for it in the catalog. Subject headings will be listed in the book info page. Books can have several subject headings. 
2. The Library of Congress also has a search feature to explore other subject headings: http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects.html

There are a variety of Library of Congress subject headings that are used to describe Latinos in the United States. The most common ones include

Hispanic Americans

This is the official term used to describe United States citizens of Latin American descent. Works on citizens of Latin American countries are entered under Latin Americans. Works on citizens of Latin American countries in the United States are entered under Latin Americans--United States.

There are also narrower terms that might be used:

Mexican Americans This heading is used instead of Chicanos or Hispanos.

Cuban Americans

Dominican Americans

Nicaraguan Americans

Peruvian Americans

The Border

Mexican-American Border Region

Mexican-American Border Region -- Social conditions

Border patrols -- Mexican-American Border Region

Mexican-American Border Region -- Emigration and immigration

Mental Health

Hispanic Americans -- Mental Health

Hispanic Americans -- Mental Health -- Periodicals

Emigration and Immigration -- Health Aspects

Identity

Hispanic Americans -- Social Conditions

Machismo

Hispanic Americans -- Race Identity