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Latin America and the Caribbean (English) Change

The user experience—highlights by service

Users and library staff who manage OCLC electronic resource services benefit from features not available in the current service interfaces. Ongoing enhancements will expand functionality on a regular basis.

FirstSearch

Some features that significantly enhance access to FirstSearch content are:

For library staff:

  • Manage which databases display to users in the interface through a Service Configuration module.
  • Build database groups ("virtual databases") by combining an unlimited number of databases into a library-named resource designed to meet the specific needs of users. For example, a virtual database called "Anthropology Information" could combine access to WorldCat, Anthropological Index, Anthropological Literature, and Electronic Collections Online.

For FirstSearch users:

  • Simultaneous search of an unlimited number of databases.
  • Integration of database search results with results from WorldCat, CAMIO and ArchiveGrid.
  • Easy identification of locally-available items because they are listed first in search results when holdings are present in WorldCat.

Searching multiple databases via per-search access

Use of per-search searches for simultaneous searching of more than one database functions in the same way it does on the FirstSearch interface. One search is used for each database searched. For example, if a user selects WorldCat, CAMIO and Art Abstracts and searches all 3 databases at the same time, 3 searches will be debited from a library's per-search account.

Library staffs that have not already set up automatic notification of reaching a specified balance in a per-search account may do so in the WorldCat Services administrative module. The "Low Search Notification" setting option displays on the Home screen of the administrative module for FirstSearch users. Once a notification is in place, when the number of searches remaining falls below the low search threshold number, FirstSearch sends an e-mail notice to the address or addresses entered. It sends a second notice when no searches remain, if that ever happens. This alerts library staff to order more searches.

A note about statistics

With the enhanced interface, database usage statistics for activity on the current FirstSearch interface will continue to be available through the existing statistics Web site.

OCLC plans to provide consolidated reports of database activity through the existing interface and enhanced WorldCat.org and WorldCat Local within a few months. Register for email updates about enhancements to statistics and other functionality.

CAMIO The Catalog of Art Museum Images Online

CAMIO displays as a discrete searchable database on the WorldCat.org and WorldCat Local interfaces. Authorized users can search metadata for art images that reside in the database and link to the related images. The CAMIO database is searchable alone or in combination with other databases such as Art Abstracts and WorldCat.

ArchiveGrid

ArchiveGrid is visible to authorized users on WorldCat.org as a discrete searchable database. The ArchiveGrid database is searchable alone or in combination with other databases such as WorldCat.