What should be the subject treatment for Karaite liturgical  works?

The  Hebraica  Team   does   not  recommend establishing  "Judaism--Karaite  rite."   Instead  it  recommends assigning, "Karaites--Liturgy--Texts."

The  question  of  what constitutes a  specific rite  of  Judaism versus a full-fledged sect is  not clear-cut. It  is true that we
treat Hasidism as a "sect," but that Hasidic liturgical works are considered a rite of traditional Judaism.  The same argument can  not be made about the Karaites.  Such decisions need to made on  a  case by case basis, so  the lack  of onsistency here seems justified.

Another important issue is: Does  KARAITES (sh85-71589)  refer to the class of persons or the religious sect or  both?
LC practice has  been  to  assign  both free-floating  subdivisions applicable to classes of persons (SCM  H  1100)  and
those applicable to religions or sects (SCM H 1185).

To clarify the practice, CPSO  has recommended the addition of  a  scope note specifying the dual function of  this heading, similar  to  the note under the heading JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES. Such  a  note  has already  been proposed.  Furthermore, several references will  be  added  to  the current heading, including Karaism, Karaitism,  and various Hebrew forms.

One additional point.  The question arose as  to whether the work  in question should  be considered a  Siddur  at all.  If  it  is determined  that the uniform title SIDDUR is  not appropriate for  this item,  do not apply the subject heading "Siddurim--Texts."

Lenore Bell