OCLC is systematically adding FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology) headings to many WorldCat bibliographic records. This document provides information about:
What is FAST?
OCLC’s addition of FAST to WorldCat bibliographic records
Why OCLC is adding FAST to WorldCat
How the LCSH-to-FAST conversion process works
FAST subject headings were developed by adapting the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) with a simplified syntax, retaining the very rich vocabulary of LCSH while making the schema easier to understand, control, apply, and use.
The new interface design combines search box, brief results list, and full view of a selected record on a single page. Several indexes and the ability to restrict the result to a desired FAST facet increase searching accuracy. The default result ranking is by usage, giving the most likely candidate heading near the top of the result, although alphabetic and facet order options are easily available. An autosuggest makes the selection process even easier.