Integrating MeSH Indexing and Search Services with DSpace

Abstract

One of the necessary procedures during the operation of an Institutional Repository (IR) is to assign accurate subject headings on submitted digital objects using standard thesaurus or controlled vocabularies. Based on the survey of current practice, the subject entries are either being left to the submitters to fill in with their own keywords which are often non-standard and inaccurate or, professional catalogers or domain specialists would be needed in this process which could be time-consuming. At Welch Medical Library of Johns Hopkins University, after we developed Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) indexing and search application services that funded by NLM development grant, we have further successfully integrated the MeSH indexing and search services into DSpace system. These services are being seamlessly embedded into the system and transparent to both submitters and users.