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Frequently asked questions

My library receives access to OCLC electronic services through a group purchase by our state library. Will we manage branding of access through the enhanced interface at our library or will this be managed by our group administrator?

Configuration of access to the electronic resources your group purchases from OCLC is managed at the individual library level. Each library in your group will receive its own custom URL in the format <library name.worldcat.org> for access to electronic resources from OCLC. Configuration options such as interface branding, linking to OpenURL resolvers or library Web sites enabling access to individual databases or setting up database groups for simultaneous searching is managed by library staff at a new Service Configuration module.

Over time, OCLC will enhance the service to include functionality that will support administrative options at the group administrator level. Until then, OCLC recommends that you work with your group administrator and other members of your group to determine the settings that are most appropriate for your group.

How are port-limited database subscriptions managed through the enhanced interface? Does this work in the same way that it has in FirstSearch?

When users search multiple databases through the enhanced interface, they use one port for each database they access. This is different from FirstSearch, where a single port is occupied by each search session, regardless of the number of databases being searched.

How will I see usage statistics that reflect database activity through the enhanced interface?

Database usage statistics for activity on the current FirstSearch interface continue to be available through the existing statistics Web site.

www.stats.oclc.org provides consolidated statistics of activity on both the FirstSearch and WorldCat.org-based interfaces for:

  • Per-search use of FirstSearch databases
  • Port usage for subscription access

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

How is my library’s per-search account debited for searching multiple databases simultaneously?

Use of per-search searches for simultaneous searching of more than one database will work the same way it works in FirstSearch. One search will be used for each database searched. For example, if a user selects WorldCat, ERIC 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 staff may set up automatic notification of reaching a specified balance in a per-search account 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 will alert library staff that they need to order more searches.

My library uses secure referring URLs to connect authenticated users to electronic resources. How can I set this up for access to OCLC electronic resources on the enhanced interface?

Secure referring URLs are not currently supported as an access option for the enhanced interface, but are planned as a future enhancement. The enhanced interface uses IP addresses to 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 a library delivery option such as linking to full text from an OpenURL resolver 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 (CAMIO, ArchiveGrid, FirstSearch) can be submitted to Orders at OCLC through the IP Authentication Update Request form.