OCLC further expands the FirstSearch Base Package with CONTENTdm

Earlier this year, OCLC expanded the FirstSearch® Base Package to include the OAIster, CAMIO® and ArchiveGrid® databases at no additional charge to subscribers. Now, beginning May 1, OCLC has further expanded the FirstSearch Base Package to include access to CONTENTdm “quick start.”

CONTENTdm "quick start" is available for digital collection building to Base Package subscribers at no additional charge. This entry-level, hosted version of CONTENTdm® will support efforts to increase access to the digital content that libraries provide.

FirstSearch Base Package subscribers are eligible to receive: (1) the CONTENTdm software hosted by OCLC, (2) three downloadable Project Clients for building digital collections, and (3) 10 GB of storage for up to 3,000 digital items. If a library finds that their requirements exceed any of these limits, OCLC will work with them to review purchasing options to continue seamless growth of their digital collections.

Libraries that currently have a CONTENTdm license and a FirstSearch Base Package subscription may choose to take advantage of this offer and utilize CONTENTdm "quick start" as a second implementation to support additional projects.

The goal of this Base Package addition is to facilitate access to libraries’ unique digital resources via the Web, and to do so in a way that highlights their unique online presence. Connecting these resources through WorldCat® also allows users to find high-quality materials more easily through local libraries.

Starting in July 2009, CONTENTdm users will be able to add their collections more quickly to WorldCat.org by using the Digital Collection Gateway. This new capability will be a self-service, Web-based interface that enables them to synchronize their CONTENTdm metadata with WorldCat and provide increased visibility of CONTENTdm collections to end users through WorldCat.org. End users can search, discover and retrieve digital items through WorldCat.org (and all the places where WorldCat appears) and view them via CONTENTdm.

For more information, please contact contentdm@oclc.org.

(2009 05 01)