Other OCLC services for groups

In addition to group catalogs, OCLC can build a range of customized, digital services for library groups that reduce duplication, streamline user service and leverage cooperation and resource sharing.

Among services that OCLC tailors for groups:

• QuestionPoint Twenty-one groups with about 280 libraries are locally branding a customized version of QuestionPoint, a virtual reference desk that serves users via the Web 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each group can field and answer questions among their member libraries or seamlessly refer them to the QuestionPoint network of librarians. Groups also can build their own Q&A knowledge base as well as contribute to the global QuestionPoint database.

• NetLibrary eBooks A number of library groups, consortia and regional networks are pooling their resources to purchase shared collections of eBooks. Shared collections are affordable and quickly and easily build quality collections of eBook titles for library users.

• CONTENTdm Eleven groups are collaborating to build digital image libraries of special collections using CONTENTdm, an easy-to-use software solution that helps institutions organize a variety of digital materials, including photographs, maps and historic documents.Group members create their own independent digital collections, and a central server harvests metadata from geographically dispersed collections to enable virtual, seamless searching of all the collections from a single Web site.

• FirstSearch About 140 consortia are customizing the OCLC FirstSearch service for their member libraries. Groups select the features and content they want based on the needs of their users.

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