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DB / Metadata Management Program (MMP): Using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH®) in Cataloging


Introduction

  • Assign the appropriate geographical MeSH descriptor when the scope of the work being cataloged is limited to a particular geographical area and is significant to the topic of the work

  • Geographical descriptors are all found in the Z tree of MeSH

  • Only places found in MeSH may be used as subjects

  • Assign the most specific place available

Rule of Three

  • In general, use a maximum of three geographical descriptors on a catalog record

  • If four or more places appear to be relevant try to go up the tree to find a more general descriptor
    • Example: The work is discussing Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Go up the tree from the specific state names and use
    • 651 _2 $a Southeastern United States


Last Reviewed: July 19, 2017