People often ask about alternatives to commonly used controlled vocabularies and classification schemes to use in libraries and other cultural institutions. There are a ton out there! I’ve compiled a list of places to start. This is a list of lists, so don’t be surprised that there’s a lot to explore.
- Classification Schemes and CVs library-specific list created by Julie Hardesty covers some of the most widely-used alternatives to LCSH, LCC, and the DDC
- BARTOC (Basic Register of Thesauri, Ontologies & Classifications) includes classifications, thesauri and authority files
- LOV (Linked Open Vocabularies) is a source for vocabularies and ontologies
- Open Metadata Registry, maintained by Diane Hillmann and Jon Phipps, provides controlled vocabularies in SKOS format
- Subject Heading and Term Source Codes lists all the subject heading lists, thesauri, and databases that have a MARC code
- Classification Scheme Source Codes lists all the classification schemes that have a MARC code
- Inclusive Metadata & Conscious Editing Resources, compiled by the Sunshine State Digital Network Metadata Working Group, includes a section on additional thesauri to consider
- DEI Controlled Vocabs Resource List, compiled by the Association of Moving Image Archivists
A vocabulary I haven’t seen included on these lists is the Anchor Archive Zine Thesaurus, a general subject thesaurus used for self-published, often counter cultural works, created for the Anchor Archive Zine Library in Halifax.