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Purpose. The article analyses topical subdivisions that make up the auxiliary vocabulary of the subject language of the Zagreb City Libraries, called additional thematic subject headings. Through a terminological analysis and practical examples of subject headings designation, the experiences of selecting and using this type of subject headings are pointed out. Some specific characteristics of subject indexing in the Zagreb City Libraries system are shown. Approach/methodology/design. A theoretically based approach to topical subdivisions is presented. The terminology of the additional thematic subject headings is analysed to point out linguistic aspects of their choice and usage. The problems that occur due to insufficient managing and supervision of the controlled vocabulary are also described. Findings. Based on practical experience and examples the paper presents how the topical subdivisions are used to achieve precision and exhaustiveness by indexing different subjects mostly in library materials from the field of social sciences and humanities. This process should also contribute to a better retrieval effectiveness of these documents from different users' viewpoints. The importance of selecting additional terms by which different subjects are more specifically indexed is established as well as the importance of the systematic supervision of all parts of the subject headings controlled vocabulary. Originality/value. The paper analyses the rarely discussed additional thematic subject headings that make up the auxiliary vocabulary of the main controlled vocabulary in the Zagreb City Libraries library system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]