Content delivery and databases

Questions and answers about FirstSearch database transitions

Last updated: 2010 July 9

Jump to: General questions | Questions about FirstSearch | Support, ordering and billing questions for FirstSearch

General questions

What is the agreement between OCLC and EBSCO Publishing (EBSCO)?

OCLC and EBSCO Publishing (EBSCO) have signed an agreement for EBSCO to acquire the assets of the OCLC NetLibrary Division in Boulder Colorado. These assets include the NetLibrary eBook and eAudiobook platform, service and operations.

EBSCO has also acquired the rights to license a number of vendor databases currently provided by OCLC through the FirstSearch service. The list of the databases is available in this FAQ.

OCLC will continue to offer content on the FirstSearch platform. Content will be primarily library-owned content databases including WorldCat, the FirstSearch Base Package and other library content databases. The list of databases that OCLC will continue to offer on the FirstSearch service is available in this FAQ.

What is the agreement between OCLC and H.W. Wilson?

OCLC and H.W. Wilson will work together to transition library subscriptions for H.W. Wilson databases provided on the OCLC FirstSearch service to the WilsonWeb platform over the next 16 months. Wilson will continue to index many of its databases in WorldCat.org and WorldCat Local, a program that began in 2008.

When are the agreements effective?

The agreements are effective March 17, 2010.

FirstSearch subscribers will continue to receive access to all databases on both the FirstSearch and WorldCat.org platforms through the end of their subscription periods.

Why is OCLC transitioning some of the FirstSearch databases?

OCLC will increase its focus and investment in enhancing WorldCat and delivering new WorldCat platform services and Web-scale library services. To create this focus, OCLC will transition away from reselling eContent and eBooks provided by publishers and other vendors.

EBSCO has acquired the rights to license a number of vendor databases currently provided by OCLC through the FirstSearch service. The significant reach of the EBSCOhost solution will allow for even better integration of the acquisition and management of databases, eJournals and eBooks. The list of the databases is available in this FAQ.

OCLC and H.W. Wilson will work together to transition library subscriptions for H.W. Wilson databases provided on the OCLC FirstSearch service to the WilsonWeb platform by June 2011.

As part of this transition, OCLC will also discontinue access to several FirstSearch databases as subscriptions and contracts expire. The list of these databases is available in this FAQ.

Why is EBSCO acquiring the NetLibrary Division and a number of FirstSearch databases?

EBSCO Publishing acquires services and databases when the resources enhance and strengthen its existing services to provide increased value to libraries.

Adding NetLibrary to the EBSCO publishing product line will allow libraries to leverage their eContent resources through integrated search functionality and ease of use of the EBSCOhost platform. Incorporating eBooks into the EBSCOhost platform provides a solution to an increasing library need: the ability to search eBooks along with journal-based full-text databases.

By adding FirstSearch content, EBSCO Publishing provides access to EBSCOhost to more libraries and library users, introducing users to more cross-database searching and full-text SmartLinking capabilities.

What are the financial terms of the agreement?

The terms of the agreement are not disclosed.

As a nonprofit, membership cooperative, OCLC will apply all proceeds from the transaction directly back into the operations of the cooperative and into future service development for members.

Questions about FirstSearch

Which of the FirstSearch databases are included in the EBSCO agreement?

EBSCO has acquired the rights to license a select number of databases that are now available on FirstSearch. These databases are listed below.

OCLC will continue to provide access to these databases on FirstSearch through your current subscription period. At the end of your subscription period, OCLC will no longer provide access on FirstSearch to these databases:

Database	Provider
AGRICOLA	National Agriculture Library
Alternative Press Index	Alternative Press Center
Alternative Press Index Archive	Alternative Press Center
ATLA Religion	American Theological Library Association
ATLA Serials Database	American Theological Library Association
EconLit	American Economic Association
GeoRefS	American Geological Institute
MLA International Bibliography	Modern Language Association of America
Philosopher’s Index	Philosopher’s Information Center
PsycARTICLES	American Psychological Association
PsycBOOKS	American Psychological Association
PsycCRITIQUES	American Psychological Association
PsycINFO	American Psychological Association
RILM Abstracts of Music Literature	RILM International Center
RIPM Retrospective Index to Music Periodicals	RIPM International Center

Which of the FirstSearch databases that EBSCO has purchased the right to license are currently available via EBSCOhost?

Databases currently available on EBSCOhost	Provider
AGRICOLA	National Agriculture Library
ATLA Religion	American Theological Library Association
ATLA Serials Database	American Theological Library Association
EconLit	American Economic Association
GeoRefS	American Geological Institute
MLA International Bibliography	Modern Language Association of America
Philosopher’s Index	Philosopher’s Information Center
PsycARTICLES	American Psychological Association
PsycBOOKS	American Psychological Association
PsycCRITIQUES	American Psychological Association
PsycINFO	American Psychological Association
RILM Abstracts of Music Literature	RILM International Center
RIPM Retrospective Index to Music Periodicals	RIPM International Center

EBSCO plans to add the following databases to EBSCOhost in the future.

Database	Provider
Alternative Press Index	Alternative Press Center
Alternative Press Index Archive	Alternative Press Center

When will these FirstSearch databases be made available on EBSCOhost?

Many of these FirstSearch databases are already available on the EBSCOhost service. A list of those databases is included in the question above. Concurrent access on both the FirstSearch and EBSCOhost services will be set up shortly to help you familiarize your users with a new interface.

Your EBSCO representative will contact you soon to let you know when this access will be available. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-653-2726 (USA and Canada) or 1-978-356-6500.

What if I subscribe to a database on both FirstSearch and EBSCOhost?

Some organizations subscribe to databases on both FirstSearch and EBSCOhost. Access will continue on both services through the end of your subscription period, with no changes to current subscription rates and subscription periods.

EBSCO’s Publishing Sales Representative can provide all specific details regarding the transition to EBSCOhost. If you have questions, please call 1-800-653-2726 (USA and Canada) or 1-978-356-6500.

Will some of the FirstSearch databases not be continued on the EBSCOhost service after the conclusion of the current subscription period?

All current subscriptions will be honored through their subscription end dates. The following databases will not be supported on EBSCOhost after current subscriptions expire:

Database	Provider
ABI/INFORM	ProQuest Information and Learning
Arts & Humanities Search	Thomson Scientific
Books In Print	R.R. Bowker
Books In Print with Reviews	R.R. Bowker
Business & Industry	The Gale Group
Business & Management Practices	The Gale Group
CA Student Edition	Chemical Abstracts Service
Contemporary Women’s Issues	The Gale Group
GEOBASE	Elsevier B. V.
PAIS Archive	Cambridge Scientific Abstracts
PAIS International	Cambridge Scientific Abstracts
Periodical Abstracts	ProQuest Information and Learning
SIRS Researcher	ProQuest Information and Learning
Sociological Abstracts	Cambridge Scientific Abstracts

EBSCO offers many databases that fulfill these content needs and cover these subject areas. In many cases EBSCO offers an alternative, often including full-text information. EBSCO sales representatives are happy to assist you with alternative database solutions.

Does EBSCO plan to increase pricing for libraries on the databases upon renewal?

EBSCO’s goal is to provide the best possible resources at affordable prices. EBSCO is working hard to control expenses to be able to minimize price increases. EBSCO will take the same approach with these databases.

Will the H.W. Wilson databases continue to be offered on the FirstSearch service?

Yes, for subscriptions through June 30, 2011.

OCLC will continue to provide access to all FirstSearch H.W. Wilson subscriptions through users’ current subscription periods. Additionally, Wilson will set up library accounts and provide access to the H.W. Wilson databases on the WilsonWeb platform for current FirstSearch subscribers. This dual access on both FirstSearch and WilsonWeb will begin over the next couple of months at no charge.

OCLC and H.W. Wilson will work together to ensure that customers have a positive experience in transitioning their Wilson database subscriptions on the OCLC FirstSearch service to WilsonWeb. The platform change will occur over the next 16 months, and there will be no additional charge for parallel service. (If your library subscribes to Wilson databases through FirstSearch and also would like to have WilsonWeb access, you can request access by e-mailing custserv@hwwilson.com.) Additionally, Wilson will continue to include many of its databases in WorldCat.org and WorldCat Local, a program that began in 2008.

For subscriptions that continue through June 30, 2011, the H.W. Wilson databases will be available on both the FirstSearch platform and the WilsonWeb platform.

The following H.W. Wilson databases will migrate from the FirstSearch service to WilsonWeb on June 30, 2011.

• Applied Science & Technology Abstracts/Applied Science & Technology Index
• Art Abstracts/Art Index
• Biography Index
• Biological & Agricultural Index
• Book Review Digest
• Education Abstracts/Education Index
• Essay and General Literature Index
• General Sciences Abstracts/General Sciences Index
• Humanities Abstracts/Humanities Index
• Index to Legal Periodicals & Books
• Library Literature
• Readers’ Guide Abstracts
• Social Sciences Abstracts/Social Sciences Index
• Wilson Business Abstracts
• Wilson Select Plus

Is the OCLC FirstSearch service continuing?

Yes, OCLC will continue to offer the FirstSearch service. All databases on FirstSearch to which a library currently subscribes will be available through the end of their current subscription period.

Going forward, OCLC will continue to offer access to many databases, including WorldCat, the FirstSearch Base Package and several other databases such as the suite of RLG databases contained in the OCLC Research Collection package, and many other important databases.

The following databases will continue to be available on the FirstSearch service.

Database	Provider
Anthropological Index	The Royal Anthropological Institute
Anthropological Literature	Harvard University
Anthropology Plus	Harvard University & The Royal Anthropological Institute
Anthropological Index	The Royal Anthropological Institute
ArchiveGrid	OCLC
Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals	Columbia University
CAMIO—Catalog of Museum & Art Images	OCLC
Chicano Database	University of California at Berkeley
Clase and Periodica	Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Systems
ERIC	U.S. Department of Education
FRANCIS	Institut de l’Information Scientifique et Technique du CNRS
GPO Monthly Catalog	U.S. Government Printing Office
Heritage of the Printed Book	Consortium of European Research Libraries
History of Science, Technology, and Medicine	Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Wellcome Library, History of Science Society & Society for the History of Technology
Index to 19th -Century American Art Periodicals	Mary M. Schmidt
MEDLINE	U.S. National Library of Medicine
OAIster	OCLC
OCLC ArticleFirst	OCLC
OCLC Electronic Books	OCLC
OCLC  Electronic Collections Online	OCLC
OCLC PapersFirst	OCLC
OCLC ProceedingsFirst	OCLC
OCLC WorldCat	OCLC
Russian Academy of Science Bibliographies	INION The Russian Academy of Sciences
SCIPIO	OCLC
World Almanacs	InfoBASE/Facts on File
WorldCat Dissertations and Theses	OCLC

The following databases currently available on the FirstSearch service will continue to be available on FirstSearch through June 30, 2011. New or renewal subscriptions are no longer accepted for these databases.

Database	Provider
ABI/INFORM	ProQuest Information and Learning
Biology Digest	Plexus Publishing
Books In Print	R.R. Bowker
Books In Print with Reviews	R.R. Bowker
Business & Industry	The Gale Group
Business & Management Practices	The Gale Group
Business Dateline	ProQuest Information and Learning
CA Student Edition	Chemical Abstracts Service
Contemporary Women’s Issues	The Gale Group
Dissertation Abstracts Online	ProQuest Information and Learning
Environmental Science and Pollution Management	Cambridge Scientific Abstracts
GEOBASE	Elsevier B.V.
Newspaper Abstracts	ProQuest Information and Learning
PAIS Archive	Cambridge Scientific Abstracts
PAIS International	Cambridge Scientific Abstracts
Periodical Abstracts	ProQuest Information and Learning
SIRS Researcher	ProQuest Information and Learning
Sociological Abstracts	Cambridge Scientific Abstracts

The following database will transition from the FirstSearch service at a date to be determined:

Database	Provider
Arts & Humanities Search	Thomson Scientific

Access to the following databases on FirstSearch will end on September 1, 2010:

Database	Provider
Disclosure Corporate Snapshots (per-search only)	Thomson Reuters
DisclosureS (subscription only)	Thomson Reuters
Worldscope GLOBAL (per-search only)	Thomson Reuters
WorldscopeS GLOBAL (subscription only)	Thomson Reuters

Will the current timeline for retiring the FirstSearch interface remain the same?

We anticipate that the FirstSearch interface will be available at least through June 2011.

Does this agreement have any impact on the eContent I can currently access through WorldCat.org?

No. WorldCat and the article-level metadata that is available to all users at www.worldcat.org will continue to be available for search and display. Holdings of libraries with a subscription to WorldCat on FirstSearch will display in WorldCat.org.

Will OCLC continue to add eContent to WorldCat.org?

Absolutely. OCLC has partnered with many libraries and publishers to provide access and discoverability to a growing, wide range of library content in WorldCat.org. This will continue to be an important area of focus for the OCLC cooperative. OCLC will build and expand partnerships to provide discoverability to the full range of print, licensed and digital content in library collections.

Support, ordering and billing questions for FirstSearch

I have support questions about the FirstSearch databases that are migrating to EBSCOhost. Who is my contact?

EBSCO and OCLC are working together to provide the highest level of support for libraries. For questions about access to FirstSearch, please visit OCLC support or call 1-800-848-5800. For the FirstSearch databases provided on EBSCOhost, please contact the EBSCO support team at http://support.ebscohost.com.

Information will be provided as support transitions to EBSCO over time. Information will be posted at http://support.ebscohost.com.

I have support questions about the FirstSearch databases that are migrating to WilsonWeb. Who is my contact?

For questions about access to FirstSearch please visit OCLC Product Support or call 1-800-848-5800.

For the FirstSearch databases provided on WilsonWeb, please contact Wilson at: custserv@hwwilson.com.

How will my billing change for the FirstSearch databases transferring to EBSCO?

For FirstSearch subscriptions ordered before March 17, 2010, OCLC or your OCLC Billing Partner will provide billing support through the end of the subscription.

For all new subscriptions and renewals from March 17, 2010 and later, all invoices will come from EBSCO.

My billing is part of a FirstSearch group for the databases transferring to EBSCO. Will I continue to be billed as part of a FirstSearch group?

Yes. For FirstSearch subscriptions and renewals ordered before March 17, 2010 that were part of a group order, your group will continue to be billed under the current billing processes. Staff from EBSCO and OCLC will be in contact with your FirstSearch group shortly following the March 17 announcement to answer any questions.

I have dollars on deposit with OCLC or my OCLC Billing Partner that I use to fund these FirstSearch databases for this year; may I continue to use these deposit accounts? Will I continue to receive my billing from my OCLC Billing Partner?

Yes. You will continue to receive your billing for current FirstSearch subscriptions from your OCLC Billing Partner through the end of the current subscription.

I have purchased blocks of per-search searches. Will I be able to continue to access FirstSearch databases on a per-search basis?

Libraries that have purchased blocks of searches for access to FirstSearch databases will be able to use those searches for per-search access to databases currently available on the service that support per-search access. We will provide updates about the timeline for transition of these databases over the next few months.

The following databases are accessible on a per-search basis.

• ABI/INFORM
• Arts & Humanities Search
• Biology Digest
• Books In Print
• Books In Print with Reviews
• Business & Industry
• Business and Management Practice
• Business Dateline
• Clase/Periodica
• Contemporary Women’s Issues
• Disclosure (through 8/31/2010)
• Dissertation Abstracts (available in USA only)
• ERIC
• GEOBASE
• GPO Monthly Catalog
• MEDLINE
• Newspaper Abstracts
• OCLC ArticleFirst
• OCLC Electronic Books
• OCLC Electronic Collections Online
• OCLC PapersFirst
• OCLC ProceedingsFirst
• OCLC WorldCat
• Periodical Abstracts
• SIRS Researcher
• Wilson Select Plus
• World Almanac
• Worldscope GLOBAL (through 8/31/2010)

Per-search access to the following databases ended on June 30, 2010.

• AGRICOLA
• Alternative Press Index
• Alternative Press Index Archive
• EconLit
• PsycFIRST

EBSCO does not offer per-search access to databases on EBSCOhost.

You may request a credit for the value of unused per-search searches if you do not expect to use all searches currently available on your per-search account. Contact your OCLC Library Services Consultant to request a credit.

If a library has purchased a subscription through OCLC for a database that is now offered on EBSCOhost, will EBSCO transition the service to EBSCOhost at no cost?

Yes. EBSCO will work with libraries to make the transition as easy as possible. If the library subscribes to FirstSearch databases that are now accessible via EBSCOhost—and the database provider approves—EBSCO will provide access at no extra cost through the length of the current subscription.

Is Electronic Collections Online continuing?

Yes, OCLC will continue to offer Electronic Collections Online and its collection of more than 6,300 electronic journals.

Where can I get more information?

For questions about OCLC FirstSearch access, please visit OCLC Product Support

For questions about the FirstSearch databases provided on WilsonWeb, please contact Wilson at custserv@hwwilson.com.

For questions about FirstSearch databases transitioning to EBSCOhost, please call your EBSCO representative, 1-800-653-2726 (USA & Canada) or 1-978-356-6500.