From Mishmash to MeSH: Subject Headings Changes for a Collection

What is the half-life of a subject heading? Transfer between systems, input errors, workflow and staff changes all contribute to decay in subject heading quality. This presentation will cover highlights from a recent project to review and modify subject headings for the electronic theses and dissertations collection within the UT Southwestern institutional repository. Project work was primarily conducted by a UNT graduate school library science student as part of an semester-long internship in 2012. Developed by the repository administrator and metadata manager, this also served as a springboard for future intern projects.

The presentation will also highlight:

Targeted quality improvement through a small, manageable project, Cooperation between different library departments, Access issues for repository work in DSpace conducted by non-affiliated personnel (off-campus access; institutional accounts; etc.), Needs of particular interest to a medical institution (MeSH vs. other subject headings; embargoed or limited content).