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Worldwide (English) Change

Prepare your library for enhanced access

There are several things you can do to prepare for your library’s use of enhanced access.

Update IP addresses

The enhanced interface does not require the use of a separate authorization and password for access. Instead, IP addresses determine which electronic resources are visible to users. This means that library users who access the site from a recognized IP address are able to access the electronic resources their library has licensed from OCLC.

Users may authenticate through their library’s Web site and then link to electronic resources provided by their library through the interface for WorldCat.org, WorldCat Local or WorldCat Local “quick start.”

IP-based authentication also facilitates user access to library delivery options such as linking to full text from an OpenURL resolver or connecting directly to NetLibrary eBook content (on the current NetLibrary interface) from search results.

All IP addresses set up for access to the current interfaces for OCLC’s electronic resources services are automatically set up to access the enhanced interface.

If your library has not set up IP access, you can prepare in advance by adding or updating your library’s IP addresses for the services to which you subscribe.

  • IP addresses already submitted through the WorldCat Services administrative module will continue to work, and library staff may update this information for FirstSearch using the same administrative module.
  • IP addresses for all electronic resource services (NetLibrary, CAMIO, ArchiveGrid, FirstSearch) can be submitted to Orders at OCLC through the IP Authentication Update Request form.

Configure your account

Locally manageable aspects of your OCLC electronic resource service accounts, such as links to OpenURL resolvers, library Web sites and OPACs and administration of IP addresses, have new features that include customization of your library’s WorldCat URL and selection of which electronic resources display to users in the interface.

Administration of electronic resource services will gradually transition from the WorldCat Services administrative module (for FirstSearch), the Library Resource Center (for NetLibrary) and the WorldCat Registry to a new Service Configuration module.

NOTE: this is the same Service Configuration module that supports WorldCat Local and WorldCat Local “quick start.”

  1. Log on to the Service Configuration module to review current settings and make modifications to address your library’s preferences
    1. If you have a WorldCat account ( Your “My WorldCat” account on WorldCat.org, “My Account” on WebJunction, an account for the OCLC Online Service Center or the WorldCat Registry):
      • Enter your WorldCat user name.
      • If the account exists, confirm the password for your WorldCat account and click Confirm. (Note: passwords are case-sensitive.)
        • If your account is located, the Add institution to configure screen will display. On this screen, enter your library's FirstSearch authorization and administrative password to confirm your institution affiliation. If you manage an account for a service other than FirstSearch, request an account.
        • If the account does not exist, you will be prompted to create an account.
    2. If you do not have a WorldCat account (“My WorldCat” account on WorldCat.org, “My Account” on WebJunction, or an account for the OCLC Online Service Center or the WorldCat Registry):
      • Create a WorldCat account that provides access to the Service Configuration module in addition to WorldCat.org, WebJunction®, WorldCat Registry™, and the OCLC Online Service Center.
      • Once you have created a WorldCat account and used it to log on to the Service Configuration module, complete the Add institution to configure section by entering your library's FirstSearch authorization and administrative password to confirm your institution affiliation. If you manage an account for a service other than FirstSearch, request an account.
  2. Authorize yourself for the institution whose account you manage
    • After logging on, click Settings.
    • Click Authorize me for an Institution.
    • Enter your library’s FirstSearch authorization and administrative password to confirm your institution affiliation.

      Consult the OCLC Service Configuration Guide for details about account configuration.

      For questions or problems, contact your nearest OCLC office or regional distributor.


  3. Select your institution name from the drop-down list at the top of the screen and click “Go”
  4. Review and edit interface options
    Accept or modify your WorldCat.org URL
    1. Edit the way your library’s name displays on the interface as needed
    2. Set colors, add a logo
    3. Add links to other library services (authentication server, Ask a Librarian, etc.)
  5. Access the Licensed Content and Databases page
    Select the databases that should display to your library’s users and configure virtual databases of interest to your users.

Account configuration for groups

Account configuration will be at the individual library level when enhanced access is released. OCLC plans to add the capability for group administrators to manage accounts for members of a consortium or group in an upcoming enhancement.

Libraries that belong to groups with OCLC group catalogs may configure their access at the individual library level when the enhanced access is released. On WorldCat.org, the group catalog in which libraries participate displays as a separate database, along with other electronic resources they purchase through OCLC. While account setup and interface configuration is managed at the individual library level, libraries may continue to link directly to their group catalog on WorldCat.org at the URL they now use for WorldCat.org access to the catalog.

Set up direct links to electronic resources

When you are ready to introduce the enhanced WorldCat.org interface to your users, you will want to set up links from your library Web site directly to resources such as individual FirstSearch databases, to replace the links that connect users to the existing interface. Links to individual resources may be set up at the individual library level. Consult the instructions for creating direct links to databases for additional information.

Choose your local introduction

Much of the functionality expected by information seekers is available in the initial release of the enhanced interfaces and additional features will be added on an ongoing basis.

Access to resources through existing interfaces will continue through at least 2011 to provide ample time for libraries to plan the introduction of the enhanced interface to users. This means that your staff decides when it is appropriate to move your users to the enhanced interface.

Learn more about account configuration

Questions?

For questions or problems, contact your nearest OCLC office or regional distributor.