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How do I add links into my library's catalog from FirstSearch?

The following solution can be found in Help for the FirstSearch administrative module and the Administrative Module Reference Guide (Chapter 10, "Link your library, FirstSearch, and other Web resources")

You can add links to your library's catalog from the FirstSearch service by entering URLs for your catalog on the Web Library Catalogs screen in the FirstSearch administrative module. If you do, the links appear in FirstSearch records so users can click on the links to use your catalog and determine an item's availability and location.

If you use this feature, the links appear whether or not FirstSearch indicates that your library owns the item described in the FirstSearch record; that is, whether or not your library's OCLC symbol is attached to the record.

When a user clicks a link and goes to your catalog, FirstSearch adds a heading and a Return button above the screen so the user can return to FirstSearch easily.

To use this feature, you must supply at least one of the four URLs requested below.

Procedure

Log in to the FirstSearch administrative module and follow this procedure.

 

Action

Result or Note

1

Click Web Library Catalogs in the sidebar menu of the Linking section of the main menu.

The system displays the Web Library Catalogs screen.

2

If you want to supply the Catalog Entry Screen URL for your library, type it in the box provided.

 

3

Click the Test button located below the box.

If the URL you entered is correct, the system displays a new browser window containing the screen for the URL.

4

Close the new window.

 

5

If you want to customize the Catalog Entry Screen Link Text, type it in the box provided.

The link text should convey to your users that clicking it will simply take them to your catalog, not actually search it.

6

If you want to supply the ISBN Search Results URL, type it in the box provided.

Accept the ISBN provided for testing or type another ISBN in its place.

7

Click the Test button located below the box.

If the URL you entered is correct, the system displays a new browser window containing the screen for the URL you typed and the test ISBN.

8

Close the new window.

Do steps 6 - 8 at least twice--once with an ISBN that finds a record in your catalog and once with one that does not.

If you decide not to supply the ISBN Search Results URL, delete it from the box provided.

9

If you want to supply the ISSN Search Results URL, type it (including the hyphen) in the box provided.

Accept the ISSN provided for testing or type another ISSN in its place.

10

Click the Test button located below the box.

If the URL you entered is correct, the system displays a new browser window containing the screen for the URL you typed and the test ISSN.

11

Close the new window.

Do steps 9 - 11 at least twice--once with an ISSN that finds a record in your catalog and once with one that does not.

If you decide not to supply the ISSN Search Results URL, delete it from the box provided.

12

If you want to supply the OCLC Number Search Results URL, type it in the box provided.

 

Accept the OCLC number provided for testing or type another OCLC number in its place.

If your library configures its catalog to remove the leading zeros from OCLC records, click the Do not add leading zeros to the search term radio button. If your library leaves the leading zeros, click the Add leading zeros to the search term radio button. If you do not know which radio button to click, test with both until you get a successful result (see the next step).

13

Click the Test button located below the box.

If the URL you entered is correct, the system displays a new browser window containing the screen for the URL you typed and the test OCLC number.

14

Close the new window.

Do steps 12 - 14 at least twice--once with an OCLC number that finds a record in your catalog and once with one that does not.

If you decide not to supply the OCLC Number Search Results URL, delete it from the box provided.

15

If you want to customize the Catalog Search Results Link Text, type it in the box provided.

The link text should convey to your users that clicking it will search your catalog.

16

When you are satisfied with the URLs and link text, click Save Changes.

The system responds with Web Library Catalogs screen changes saved.

17

Go to the FirstSearch service to test the links in the WorldCat database. If changes are needed, return to the administrative module and repeat the appropriate steps above.

Note: Test the links in the following types of records:

  • Records with no ISBN, ISSN, or OCLC number
  • Records with an ISBN that finds a record in your catalog
  • Records with an ISBN that finds no record in your catalog
  • Records with an ISSN that finds a record in your catalog
  • Records with an ISSN that finds no record in your catalog
  • Records with an OCLC number that finds a record in your catalog
  • Records with an OCLC number that finds no record in your catalog

 

Last revised: 16 May 2008