Using the Online NLM Classification

Homepage Tour

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The online NLM Classification provides:

• Access to the most current NLM Classification Schedules and Index
• Documentation of structure and content of the NLM
• Classification and the practices applied
• Links to related resources and databases

Let’s explore the online NLM Classification and practice using the Schedules and Index.

To begin, please click the Next button below.

Homepage Tour

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Related Resources

First, notice the links on the homepage. They link to related resources to supplement the online Classification system. Here is a brief description of what the resource are:

• NLM Policy on Classification – Provides guidelines for assigning NLM classification numbers to library materials.
• Scope of Revision of the (Current) Edition – Provides a synopsis of the additions and changes for the current edition.
• Class Numbers Added and Canceled (Current Edition) – Lists new class numbers and class numbers made obsolete for the current edition.
• Class Numbers Added (Cumulative List) – Lists new class numbers added from 2002 (year the NLM Classification was first published in electronic form) through the current year.
• Canceled Class Numbers (Cumulative List) – Lists class numbers made obsolete since 1978. Hyperlinks are provided to the current class number for the concept.
• Outline of the NLM Classification – Outline of the 36 NLM schedules. The outline is hyperlinked to the individual schedules.
• Table G (geographic notation) – Table of notations that provides geographical or jurisdictional arrangement of materials under specific class numbers in the NLM Classification.
• Table G Practices – Instructions for applying geographic notations to designated class numbers.
• 19th Century Schedule – List of class numbers for works and reprints of works published between 1801 and 1913.
• NLM Classification Fundamentals (online training) – Links to the online training course.

Other NLM Resources

• Metadata Management Program (MMP) homepage – The mission of this program is to develop, manage, and apply inclusive and equitable metadata schema to biomedical resources, and lead in community metadata efforts. MMP develops and maintains the NLM Classification.
• NLM Catalog or LocatorPlus – Provides access to NLM bibliographic data for journals, books, audiovisuals, computer software, electronic resources, and other materials. Links to the library's holdings in LocatorPlus, NLM's online public access catalog, are also provided.
• MeSH Browser – Tool that allows users to search directly for MeSH terms and conduct text-word searches of the Annotation and Scope Note fields of records.

Homepage Tour

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Navigation

The main navigation provides links within the Classification to the:

• Home – The online NLM Classification homepage.
• Schedules – Topical groupings of classification numbers.
• Index – Single alphabetical index to the schedules which consists primarily of MeSH concepts used in cataloging.
• Help – Quick reference guide for using the online NLM Classification.

Note: Depending on your browser size, the Navigation menu may be collapsed.

Search Schedules

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From the Navigation, click on SEARCH SCHEDULES.

Users may search for valid NLM class numbers (entered with a space between the letter and number), class number captions, or notes within the schedules.

A drop-down menu is available to refine the search:

• Exact – Search for word(s)/class number(s) in exact order (this is the default search).
• Contains – Search for words that appear in relative proximity.
• Startswith – Search for word(s)/class number(s) that begins with search term.

Search for the term genetics and select contains.

Click the search button or hit the enter key.

Search Schedules

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Currently, there are around 10 search results where the term "genetics" is featured in the caption or notes within the schedule.

The class numbers on the search results page are hyperlinked to the exact place in the schedule page (Note: each time a hyperlink is clicked, a new browser page opens).

Click on QU 450.

Search Schedules

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You will see the term "genetics" featured in the note for "General works."

Users can clear the search strategy by clicking the CLEAR button on the Search Schedules page.

Click on the Classification numbers to view more in the Schedules. Notice the concepts and headers these topics fall under.

All Schedules

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From the main navigation, click on ALL SCHEDULES.

This takes you to the beginning of the schedules (QS Human Anatomy). The other schedules are linked by class headers at the top of the page (QS – WZ).

Schedule headers (capital letter(s) and broad subject categories i.e., QS Human Anatomy) are at the beginning of each schedule.

Some schedules have instructional notes at the beginning of each schedule.

On this page, you can see the note for QS Human Anatomy describing how that schedule should be used and recommendations for using other schedules for specific topics.

All Schedules

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Range headers (schedule subdivision) are listed on the left side of each schedule under Schedule Contents.

Range headers are hyperlinked to the exact beginning of the range within the schedule.

Click on Embryology in the Schedule Contents of the QS schedule

All Schedules

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Range headers appear within the schedule at the beginning of each range of class numbers in red.

Sometimes there will be notes under the range header with guidance on specific topics.

Under Embryology, notice that it links to a different schedule (WQ 210.5) for "fetal anatomy or fetal development."

Looking under Embryology, answer the following questions about the Classification numbers:

Search Index

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From the main navigation, click on SEARCH INDEX.

You are taken to the beginning of the Class Index pages (non-alpha).

The entire Index section (non-alpha in this case) is not displayed on one page. Click the page numbers or Previous/Next buttons to navigate the Index section, page by page.

To go to other Index sections, click on the index letters at the top of the page.

Search Index

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You may also use the search box to conduct a search.

Use the search box to search for the:

• Main index heading
• Text and class numbers within sub-indexes (facets of main index terms)
• Cross references

Much like the Schedule search, there are three types are searches available from the drop-down menu:

• Startswith — Search for word(s)/class number(s) that begins with search term (this is the default search).
• Contains — Search for words that appear in relative proximity.
• Exact — Search for word(s)/class number(s) in exact order (Note: exact means just that. If you are searching for Electronic Data Processing, you will only find it if you search the complete thing. Searching Electronic or Electronic data in exact will not retrieve it.)

Search for the term books using the default choice of Startswith.

After entering search term(s), click the Search button or hit the ENTER key.

Search Index

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All main headings are MeSH descriptors. Each main index heading is linked to the corresponding MeSH descriptor in the MeSH Browser via the "tree" icon.

Facets of main index terms are entered in Sub-Indexes (SIs). Sub-indexes associated with main index terms are collapsed. SIs are expanded by clicking on the plus sign (+).

"See also" terms are hyperlinked to the related main index term.

User can clear the search strategy once executed by hitting the (X) at the end of the search box.

Conclusion

This concludes the NLM Navigator activity.

Close the NLM Navigator windows and continue the NLM Classification Fundamentals.