The Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms for Library and Archival Materials (LCGFT) is a faceted vocabulary for describing what a resource is, rather than what it is about (aboutness is primarily the domain of the Library of Congress Subject Headings).

The Music Library Association’s Best Practices for Using LCGFT for Music Resources and the Library of Congress’s Genre/Form Terms Manual together comprise the primary guidance on the application of this vocabulary.

Resources

MLA Best Practices for Using LCGFT for Music Resources

• Best used for guidance on the application of the vocabulary when cataloging music resources.

Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms Manual

• Best used for guidance on the application of the vocabulary at Library of Congress.

• Includes a complete listing of the LCGFT vocabulary in PDF (updated regularly).

LCGFT website (LC Linked Data Service)

• Best used for freely searching terms in the vocabulary, including their scope notes.

Classification Web (subscription required)

• Search and browse interface for multiple vocabularies, including LCGFT.

Notes on applying LCGFT

About vocal works with sacred texts: while LCGFT includes terms for forms of sacred music, e.g., Masses, Requiems, Vespers (Music), Psalms (Music) (but not specific psalms), Litanies (Music), etc., terms for settings of specific texts are not included in LCGFT, e.g., Magnificat, Kyrie, Agnus Dei, etc. For settings of specific texts, added entries (730) may be made.
- source: Library of Congress, NMP-L, Mon 11/22/2021

These terms are used in conjunction with Recording form of work (RDA 6.3), MLA's Best practices for using LCGFT for music resources (version 1.2 (July 8, 2019)), and MARC 380 (Form of work) and/or MARC 655 (Index term–genre/form).