National Library of Medicine Classification, 5th Edition, Revised 1999, Goes Online in Beta Version

The National Library of Medicine has announced the online beta version of the National Library of Medicine Classification, 5th edition, revised 1999; its URL is: http://wwwcf.nlm.nih.gov/class. Web-based access to the Classification provides the user with greater maneuverability through the schedules and index. The new searching tools enhance access to the Classification and present the data in new ways, relating concepts and class numbers to one another. Class numbers in the schedules are directly searchable. The schedules are browsable and references to class numbers are linked throughout the schedules. The index is also browsable and term/word searching retrieves all occurrences of a word or MeSH descriptor in the index. Links from MeSH descriptors in the index to the MeSH browser provide direct access to definitions and applications.

NLM expects to have an updated version of the Classification available sometime in 2002. The update will include appropriate additions and changes to MeSH through MeSH 2002, updated references to Library of Congress class numbers, and revisions to the schedules as appropriate. Future plans are to keep the Classification up-to-date on an annual basis following the MeSH pattern. Since the online beta version of the NLM Classification is under development, NLM welcomes comments and suggestions. Please submit them through the NLM Customer Service e-mail: custserv@nlm.nih.gov.

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