Cataloging: Using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH®) in Cataloging
Module 6—Publication Types
page 5 of 12
Introduction
Module 1
Subject Analysis Principles
Module 2
Introduction to MeSH Headings (MeSH) and the MeSH Browser
Module 3
Selecting the Main Concept
Module 4
Use of Topical Subheadings in MeSH
Module 5
Geographic Headings
Module 6
Publication Types
Module 7
Names as Subjects
Module 8
Deconstructed Headings vs. Subject Strings
MARC Coding
- Publication types are recorded in the MARC 655 field with the first indicator blank, and second indicator of 2
- When adding a publication type make sure that the nature of contents or nature of the entire work byte(s) of the 008 are coded as appropriate
- Example: If you assign a 655 _2 of Handbooks, then also code the appropriate 008 byte “f”
- When NLM records are distributed to licensees, publication types append to existing subject strings as $v
- To prevent a publication type from appending to a particular subject heading, NLM uses the coding “$9 n” after the subject headings
- Example in NLM Files
650 12 Physicians
650 22 Physicians $x history $9n
655 _2 Biography
- Upon distribution
650 12 Physicians $v Biography.
650 22 Physicians $x history.
(Cf. Module 8 – Deconstructed Headings vs. Subject Strings)
- NLM catalogers may occasionally use publication types from other sources such as Archival Moving Image Materials (AMIM) or a local list
- These are coded 655 with a first indicator of blank, and second indicator of 7 and a $2 with the source of the term
- 655 _7 $a Reports (Official) $2 local
