OAIster, PapersFirst and ProceedingsFirst added to WorldCat.org

Records from these three databases are now indexed in WorldCat.org and included in WorldCat.org search results:

OAIster

Photo used courtesy of the Louisiana State Museum Jazz Collection.

OAIster records are now fully accessible through WorldCat.org, and are included in standard WorldCat.org search results. OAIster is a union catalog of more than 23 million records that represent the open archives resources built by harvesting open archives digital collections worldwide.

Originally started at the University of Michigan in 2002, the database includes materials such as digitized books and articles, audio and video files, photos, data sets, theses and research papers.

There are also plans to release a freely accessible, discrete view of the OAIster records in January 2010 through a URL specific to OAIster.

To see how OAIster records look in WorldCat.org, see a sample search (limited to internet resources) on

• ti:temples bouddhiques
• kw:louis armstrong leon rene

PapersFirst and ProceedingsFirst

PapersFirst and ProceedingsFirst have now also been added to WorldCat.org results. These two indexes contain papers from conferences, symposiums and expositions worldwide. Created from items received by The British Library Document Supply Centre—you’ll find 7.4 million published items in English, French, Spanish and Chinese.

Use these sample searches to see how PapersFirst and ProceedingsFirst items look in WorldCat.org:

• Fighting fire with fire brain stimulation for the treatment of epilepsy (PapersFirst)
• Strategies towards sustainability of protected cultivation in mild winter climate (ProceedingsFirst)

WorldCat Registry adds contact visibility option

Now you can make specific contact information visible for anyone searching the WorldCat Registry, as long as you’re an authorized Registry user. Potential shared details include name, role, phone, e-mail, and fax. The change can help broaden visibility for key staff at your institution. Simply select a contact (or contacts) by checking the box “allow this contact to be visible to all” in the “Contacts” section of your library’s Registry profile.

On Facebook? Become a Fan of WorldCat on the new WorldCat Page. Then upload a photo, start a discussion, or post a question to the wall.

Library info pages now show library card sign up link and recent lists breakouts

Two new features were added to WorldCat.org this month that enhance the usefulness of your library info page on the site: the "Apply for a library card" link and new breakout categories on lists of recently-added items.

The "Apply for a library card" link (circled) is drawn from your library's WorldCat Registry profile in the "Name and Location" section, and the Recent items list breakouts (highlighted) are automatically generated for you each month, from your previous month's WorldCat holdings.

• Apply for a library card link
  Once you add a link to your online library card sign-up form through the WorldCat Registry, now WorldCat.org will display it for your users. So anyone who finds your library through WorldCat can immediately become an online borrower.

• Fiction/Juvenile breakouts on recent items lists
  Your library's monthly auto-generated list of items recently added to WorldCat just got even better—now there are 4 separate sublists for fiction, nonfiction, juvenile and nonjuvenile materials. You can point to this page from blog posts, newsletters—anywhere you want to highlight new content for specific readers. (Note that the "All items" list has an RSS feed on it. Soon the breakout categories will have individual RSS feeds, too.)

See both of these enhancements in action from the Huntington Beach Public Library's "info" page on WorldCat.org

More WorldCat news

Elsevier ScienceDirect articles now on WorldCat.org

Elsevier metadata for SCOPUS and ScienceDirect collections from 2006 to the present have now been indexed in WorldCat.org search results. This article-level metadata joins similar content such as the GPO Monthly Catalog, ArticleFirst, Medline, ERIC and the British Library Inside Serials. The ScienceDirect content corresponds to 1,800 journals, 150 book series and more than 1.3 million records.

Goodreads reviews are in

WorldCat has now added Goodreads reviews to help users evaluate materials with fellow readers' comments. You'll find Goodreads reviews in the "Reviews" section alongside WorldCat, WeRead, and Amazon reviews.

On Facebook? Become a Fan of WorldCat on the new WorldCat Page. Then upload a photo, start a discussion, or post a question to the wall.

Single search access gets social

As you know, now WorldCat.org, WorldCat Local and WorldCat Local "quick start" can provide access to all OCLC electronic resource services directly, to authenticated users. New this month is the addition of "Library 2.0" social features on licensed content items. This enhancement includes the ability to rate, review and tag licensed content—as well as being able to add it to lists to create bibliographies or track recent reading on a given topic.

Searchers continue to enjoy the relevancy rankings, faceted browsing and simultaneous searching of an unlimited number of databases with this new single search access.

Integrated search results from searches through the enhanced interface include items OCLC electronic resources such as OCLC FirstSearch databases and NetLibrary eBooks and eAudiobooks.

If your library purchases content from OCLC's electronic services, you may configure your single-search access to this content immediately through the new Service Configuration module.

Find out more about single search access

New Search for a Library feature provides location, maps and visibility

A new "Search for a Library" feature for WorldCat.org helps people find your library easier. Users can search for libraries by name, location or zip/postal code, and refine their search by library type. Results order depends on the type of search conducted. (Note that zip codes nearby don't appear yet, but will be coming soon.)

As we've been testing, we're seeing some incorrect street addresses showing up as P.O. boxes, along with some other anomalies. If your library is not appearing the way you'd like it to for users, please update your WorldCat Registry profile. It's fast, free and easy to do.

Update your WorldCat Registry profile now >>

Even if you're not planning to attend SXSW yourself, you are encouraged to make your voice heard. Go to http://bit.ly/vuPu5 and pick the thumbs-up sign. You'll be asked to register, but it's a very simple process.

The selection process closes on Friday, Sept. 4, so take action now to help raise the visibility of online library content to a wider audience.

NetLibrary has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by being the first eContent platform to offer academic, public, special and school library users access to more than 200,000 eBook and eAudiobook titles.

“Reaching the 200,000-title mark shows OCLC’s continued commitment to electronic content and is a testament to the depth of our collections,” said Suzanne Kemperman, OCLC Director of Publisher Relations. NetLibrary now offers more than 190,000 eBooks and 12,000 eAudiobooks from more than 500 publishers worldwide.

Recorded Books and OCLC NetLibrary have joined together to bring libraries a wide collection of iPod-compatible downloadable eAudiobooks.

The new, 1,000-title collection works with a wide range of MP3 players—iPods, iPhones and other portable listening devices—and includes contemporary best-sellers along with classics and children’s favorites. The new titles are available through Recorded Books Premium Subscription Collections at no additional charge using the NetLibrary Media Center, where library users can search for, check out and download eAudiobooks to a computer or directly to their personal players. By subscribing to one of the premium collections, libraries can provide users with unlimited, simultaneous access to a growing collection of titles for a fixed annual fee.

This new report summarizes the findings of research conducted by OCLC on what constitutes quality in library online catalogs from both end users’ and librarians’ points of view.

Key findings:

• The end user’s experience of the delivery of wanted items is as important, if not more important, than his or her discovery experience.
• End users rely on and expect enhanced content including summaries/abstracts and tables of contents.
• An advanced search option (supporting fielded searching) and facets help end users refine searches, navigate, browse and manage large result sets.
• Important differences exist between the catalog data quality priorities of end users and those who work in libraries.
• Librarians and library staff, like end users, approach catalogs and catalog data purposefully. End users generally want to find and obtain needed information; librarians and library staff generally have work responsibilities to carry out. The work roles of librarians and staff influence their data quality preferences.
• Librarians’ choice of data quality enhancements reflects their understanding of the importance of accurate, structured data in the catalog.

The goal of these additions is to provide your library with access to more digital resources, and to do so in a way that highlights libraries' unique online presence. Connecting these resources through WorldCat® also allows your users to more easily find high-quality materials through your library.

• If you currently subscribe to the FirstSearch Base Package, you now have access to OAIster on your account and will receive a letter with your ArchiveGrid and CAMIO authorizations and passwords. (If you currently subscribe to ArchiveGrid and CAMIO, you will receive credit for the remainder of your subscription.) Further details on CONTENTdm will be coming soon.
• If you don't currently subscribe, but are interested in the FirstSearch Base Package, please contact OCLC Middle East at +1-614-764-6006 or e-mail smithar@oclc.org.

Additions to the expanded FirstSearch Base Package:

• ArchiveGrid—an important destination for searching for historical documents, personal papers and family histories held in archives throughout the world.
• CAMIO—Catalog of Art Museum Images Online—a premier resource of high-quality art images from around the world contributed and described by leading museums, all rights-cleared for educational use.
• OAIster—a union catalog of digital resources developed by the University of Michigan and harvested using OAIPMH (the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting).
• Coming May 1, 2009—CONTENTdm Quick Start that includes the CONTENTdm 5 software hosted by OCLC with secure systems support, three Project Clients for collection building, a 3,000-item limit and 10GB of storage.

Learn More

Libraries have a new alternative for providing access to compelling reading material. Starting in January 2009, OCLC’s NetLibrary will offer libraries five Sony Reader Mobile Collections—groups of eBooks that can be read on Sony’s Reader Digital Book.

The program includes a Reader model PRS-505, a collection of titles from leading publishers and all required licenses. Using the library’s PC, librarians can download a mobile collection title or titles from the NetLibrary site to the Reader as necessary.

Libraries that purchase Mobile Collections will be able to offer their users the ability to check out Readers for on-site or off-site use, depending on the policy established by each library. Collections, selected by NetLibrary’s collections librarian, include Career Development and Business Self Help (30 titles), Management and Leadership (22 titles), Popular Fiction (29 titles), Romance (19 titles) and Young Adult Fiction (24 titles).

The program includes a Reader model PRS-505, a collection of titles from leading publishers and all required licenses. Using the library's PC, librarians can download a mobile collection title or titles from the NetLibrary site to the Reader as necessary.

Libraries that purchase Mobile Collections will be able to offer their patrons the ability to check out Readers for onsite or offsite use, depending on the policy established by each library. Collections, selected by NetLibrary's collections librarian, include Career Development and Business Self Help (30 titles), Management and Leadership (22 titles), Popular Fiction (29 titles), Romance (19 titles) and Young Adult Fiction (24 titles).

"OCLC member libraries have indicated a strong interest in providing a mobile device that library patrons can use to read eBooks on the go," said Chip Nilges, OCLC Vice President, Business Development. "The NetLibrary collections available with Sony's Reader Digital Book offer great variety for readers with different interests, and make it possible for library patrons to enjoy many eBooks on one portable device that offers state-of-the-art readability."

"Librarians have always been leaders in exposing their patrons to new technologies related to reading, research and learning," said Steve Haber, president of Sony's Digital Reading Business Division. "We are pleased to work with OCLC and its membership to further this cause."

Circulating Reader units through OCLC's newly established program is just one way libraries are able to offer eBooks to their communities and expose people to electronic reading. Thousands of public libraries in the United States already offer online collections that patrons can borrow, typically for two to three weeks. eBooks are offered in the Adobe PDF format and it is expected that the recently established EPUB format will become common.

Both formats can be downloaded to a PC or Sony's Reader. People simply need to have a valid library card for their local participating library and a PC with an Internet connection in order to start borrowing and enjoying eBooks. Borrowed eBooks automatically expire after the lending period.

"In an era of diminishing time and resources, libraries can provide valuable convenience and flexibility for their patrons with downloadable books and the opportunity to read them electronically," said Susan Hildreth, State Librarian of California. "Twenty-first century libraries are successful when they offer content in the widest variety of formats."

"From the beginning, we have emphasized the importance of choice when it comes to content for the Reader," Haber said. "In addition to our Sony eBook store with its strong selection of premium titles, libraries offer another option for those who prefer to borrow books at no cost without having to leave home."

About the Reader

The Reader Digital Book's high-resolution electronic paper display delivers a realistic print look that rivals traditional paper and uses minimal power. A single battery charge provides up to 7,500 pages of continuous reading. The ease of changing font sizes makes every eBook a large print book and enables libraries to improve accessibility for low vision patrons.

In addition to electronic books, the Reader supports multiple file formats for personal documents and music. You can easily transfer Adobe PDF documents with reflow capability, Microsoft Word documents, BBeB files and other text file formats to the Reader. The device can store and display EPUB files and work with Adobe Digital Editions software, opening it up to almost a limitless quantity of content.

There are two Reader models available, including the PRS-505 and the PRS-700 that sell for about $300 and $400, respectively. Each comes complete with a USB cable, and a color-coordinated, protective soft cover. Both models along with their optional accessories can be purchased direct through www.sonystyle.com, at more than 40 SonyStyle® stores nationwide and at authorized retailers across the country.

New Subject Sets include:

Bilingual Children’s Books (available in Chinese and Spanish)

Develop literacy skills and practice beginning reading with this set of bilingual materials aimed at preschoolers and early elementary ages. Materials include simple stories, the alphabet, shapes, and early readers with text in both the native language and English.

Native Author Books for Adults (available in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, Korean and Japanese)

Original works by best-selling authors from China, Russia, India, Korea, Japan, Mexico, and Latin America are featured in this set. 

Music CDs for Adults (available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Japanese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Russian)

Popular music by some of the hottest selling artists is featured in this set of music CDs.

Summer Reading Program (available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Japanese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Russian)

Include non-English speaking children in your summer reading program by making available fully illustrated picture books and juvenile materials for students in elementary and upper elementary school. 

Picture Books & Juvenile Readers (available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Japanese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Russian)

Support the language and reading development of both the native speaker and heritage language learner with fully illustrated picture books and juvenile readers.

Books for Young Adults (available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Japanese and Russian)

This set of books for young adults includes classic literature, popular translated works and original works by native authors.

Small Business/Personal Finance (available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Japanese, Vietnamese and Russian)

This set is designed to provide guidance to immigrants seeking information on starting a business, understanding the U.S. banking system, economics, managing personal finances, investing, career advancement and planning for retirement.
 
Additional Subject Sets are:

• Road to U.S. Citizenship (available in Chinese and Spanish)
• Language Learning/Cultural Heritage (available featuring the following countries: China,
• Egypt, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia or Vietnam)
• Family Health (available in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese)
• Homework Help (for middle and high school) (available in Spanish)
• South Asian (available in Gujarati, Malayalam, Marathi, Panjabi, Telugu and Urdu)
• South Asian (in English) (materials in English by Indian authors)

To order, please call 1-800-898-6252, or 614-764-6000 x5096, email langsets@oclc.org, or contact your regional service provider.