How to prepare for the new user experience for FirstSearch

You’ll receive ample documentation and information once you become a beta participant. Some changes to expect in the new service include:

• Accounts and authentication

You will no longer need to authenticate library users or have them log in to use the service, so you may need to update any Web scripts, URL redirects or proxys you have in place for public access to FirstSearch from your library’s website.

Library staff will create a new OCLC Services user account. Your new account will replace the 9-digit account and password you currently use to access FirstSearch.

If you’ve already started using a service such as WorldShare Management Services Acquisitions or Circulation or WorldShare Metadata Collection Manager, you may already have this account and can add your access to the new user experience for FirstSearch to it.

Your URL for FirstSearch will change from its current form to a URL specific to your library.  OCLC will share your library’s new URL with you as part of your start-up process.

• Administration and subscriptions

In the new service, you will maintain your administrative information now maintained in the WorldCat Services administrative module in OCLC Service Configuration—the same place you manage other OCLC services such as WorldShare, Acquisitions, Circulation and Metadata preferences.

Note: If you continue to use FirstSearch and the new user experience in parallel, you will need to maintain administrative information in both the WorldCat Services administrative module and in OCLC Service Configuration. For example, if staff begin using the new experience during the beta, but you decide choose to invite library users to use it in July, you will need to maintain up-to-date IP address information in both places.

Staff may have new workflows. Because the new experience streamlines the ability to move seamlessly from a user query to a staff view for interlibrary loan or cataloging information, you will likely develop new workflows to take advantage of these built-in connections.

• Technical preparations

Consider linking to your OPAC for item availability information. If you haven’t already configured links into your library’s OPAC to surface availability information, consider creating these links now.

There are specific browser requirements. The new experience requires use of Mozilla Firefox®, Google Chrome, or Microsoft® Internet Explorer versions 8 or 9. We are testing with a variety of operating systems, browsers (including Safari) and devices to provide access on mobile and tablet devices as well as desktop.

Note: Microsoft Internet Explorer version 7 is not supported.

Newer browser versions are needed to enable use of the new and expanded features of the new experience. The new service will not work with other browsers or browser versions. You will probably find that these newer, more secure browsers will also enhance your use of other websites and services used by your staff and library users.

In preparation for your transition to the new experience, we recommend that you upgrade your library's browsers to one of the required browsers listed above. If you are not sure which browser is in use at your library, this online tool will give you this information.