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WorldCat Local "quick start"-related FAQs
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"Quick start": General | "Quick start": Relationship with other WorldCat services | "Quick start": Relationship with OCLC electronic resource services | "Quick start": Interoperability | "Quick start": Local configuration | "Quick start": Display of library holdings | "Quick start": Other management issues
General
- How can my library qualify to receive WorldCat Local "quick start"?
WorldCat Local "quick start" is now included in library subscriptions to the WorldCat database on the FirstSearch service at no additional cost.
Your WorldCat subscription now gives your library:
- Access to the WorldCat database on the FirstSearch service
- Visibility of your library's collections on the Web through WorldCat.org
- The first steps toward a cooperative, next-generation integrated library system (ILS) with WorldCat Local "quick start."
Subscriptions to the FirstSearch Base Package or OCLC Collection also qualify for WorldCat Local "quick start."
- Does WorldCat Local "quick start" replace my FirstSearch subscription?
No. WorldCat Local "quick start" is provided to your library as part of its subscription to WorldCat (through FirstSearch). It complements your current FirstSearch subscription by adding even more visibility of your library's resources than you now receive through WorldCat.org. If you discontinue your WorldCat subscription via FirstSearch, you will no longer receive WorldCat Local "quick start."
Relationship with other WorldCat services
- How does the functionality in WorldCat Local "quick start" compare with what my users see today in WorldCat.org?
Your users will search the world's libraries through the familiar WorldCat.org interface, with its current search features, social networking tools, personal profiles and links to library services that you have already set up in the WorldCat Registry.
With WorldCat Local "quick start," your users will see a URL, search box and interface that reflect your library's branding. They will also see the resources your library has cataloged in WorldCat listed first in search results.
When you place your branded WorldCat Local "quick start" search box on Web sites and pages your users consult frequently, your library's name displays on the box, intuitively connecting your library to the search experience.
Additional features visible to your users through WorldCat Local "quick start" will primarily depend on the Web-based ILS, resource sharing and full-text delivery solutions in use at your library.
If your library uses an ILS for which OCLC has established interoperability (Innovative Interfaces Millennium or INNOPAC; Ex Libris Voyager or Aleph; SirsiDynix Unicorn, Horizon or Symphony), the service will:
- Display item location, call number, circulation status and links found in your OPAC
- Pass ILL requests to your WorldCat Resource Sharing or ILLiad request form if your library allows user-initiated interlibrary loan requests
- Support placing holds on needed materials.
If your library uses an ILS for which OCLC has not established interoperability, beginning in July 2009 your users will see the library-branded URL, search box and interface and search results that feature your library's holdings. Expanded access to other ILS systems will be added in phases, including prominent links to library catalogs and APIs and support for NCIP your staff can use to develop additional integration between WorldCat Local and your local system.
NOTE: The OCLC control number must be consistently indexed and prefixed in your library's catalog in order for item location and availability status to display.
- What is the difference between WorldCat Local "quick start" and WorldCat Local?
Libraries with materials in WorldCat can use WorldCat Local as the primary access point for their materials, resources from selected groups and libraries worldwide with items in the WorldCat database.
- WorldCat Local users see their library's brand in the URL, search box and user interface.
- Local library resources are displayed first in search results.
- Users can directly access materials, place requests to hold items, and connect to full text (when available) from within the WorldCat Local interface.
- Users can place requests for materials in their library, libraries within their consortium or any WorldCat library using OCLC resource sharing services.
- Interoperates with local ILS and consortial ILS.
- Users can get the resources they need due to smart integration with a library's existing delivery services at the library and consortium or group levels.
- Users can refine their research to a specific branch within a library system when Local Holdings Records are present.
- Article-level records from well-known databases link to full text where available.
- Users connect to the global WorldCat community with the same social networking tools available on WorldCat.org.
- In July 2009, WorldCat Local libraries will have the ability to create a single, integrated, relevancy-ranked search experience for their physical, electronic and digital resources. Initially, 100 of the most widely used, licensed resources from multiple providers will be active on the service, with more databases and other materials being added each month.
- WorldCat Local libraries receive full-featured, custom statistical reports.
- Library staff at WorldCat Local libraries participate in the WorldCat Local User Group community that provides direction for future development of the service.
The first step toward a fully localized view of library materials is WorldCat Local "quick start." Included at no extra charge with a WorldCat on FirstSearch subscription, this service offers many of the benefits of WorldCat Local and includes:
- The library's brand in the URL, search box and user interface
- Local library resources displayed first in search results
- Interoperability with a single ILS
- Interoperability with OCLC Resource Sharing services (WorldCat Resource Sharing or ILLiad)
- Smart integration with a library's existing delivery services
- Access to the same social networking tools available on WorldCat.org
- Article-level records from well-known databases with links to full text where available
WorldCat Local currently interoperates with several ILS vendors including: Ex Libris Aleph (via Z39.50), Ex Libris Voyager, SirsiDynix Horizon, SirsiDynix Unicorn, SirsiDynix Symphony, Innovative Interfaces Millennium and Innovative Interfaces INNOPAC. Libraries using these ILS systems will benefit from additional interoperability features, including real-time availability and the ability to place holds.
OCLC is developing additional ILS system integration with WorldCat Local. Upcoming plans include prominent links to library catalogs in the WorldCat Local interface and the release of APIs that library staff can use to enable interaction with additional ILSs for the display of item availability and let users place holds.
| Key features in WorldCat Local and WorldCat Local "quick start" |
WorldCat Local "quick start" |
WorldCat Local |
| Physical Collection Discovery |
Institution relevance ranking |
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| Group relevance ranking |
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| Branch-level scoping |
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| Local information displays (e.g., local notes, local URLs) |
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| Delivery |
Resource sharing through WorldCat Resource Sharing or ILLiad |
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| Resource sharing through other services that accept Open URL |
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| Interoperability with link resolvers |
1 |
more than 1 |
| Use information from Local Holdings Records (LHRs) |
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| Database Metasearch Discovery |
Metadata visible without authentication (currently includes: GPO, ArticleFirst, MEDLINE, ERIC and British Library Inside Serial |
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| CONTENTdm or other digital collections |
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| OCLC-licensed third-party database content |
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| Metasearch integration |
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| Place Hold |
ILS interoperability |
1 system |
2 systems |
| Redirect |
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| NCIP |
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- My library group has a group catalog from OCLC that lets us see a view of only our collections in both FirstSearch and WorldCat.org. Will my group see this view of its collections in WorldCat Local "quick start"?
Yes. While the main goal of WorldCat Local "quick start" is designed to add visibility and access for individual library collections, your library's group catalog will be searchable as a database.
Your group can add more group visibility and interoperability with your existing shared catalog and consortial borrowing system by upgrading to a subscription to the WorldCat Local service.
Relationship with OCLC electronic resource services
- I understand OCLC plans to add access through WorldCat.org to its electronic resource services (FirstSearch, NetLibrary, CAMIO®, ArchiveGrid® and Electronic Collections Online). Is this related in any way to WorldCat Local "quick start" access through the WorldCat.org interface?
Yes. When OCLC integrates access to its electronic resource services through WorldCat.org in July 2009, your users will be able to reach all of your library's collections in WorldCat plus all the electronic resources you license from OCLC through a single search in your library's branded search box.
The same library-branded URL, search box and interface you receive with WorldCat Local "quick start" will be used to access the OCLC databases, eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital objects and eJournals you make available to your users. As you introduce your library's view of WorldCat.org as part of your WorldCat Local "quick start" site, you may wish to let users know in advance that this will soon be an additional way they can reach many of the electronic resources you provide for them. Single-search access should save time for searchers because it will reduce the number of separate services and interfaces currently required for comprehensive research.
Also in July, a subscription to the WorldCat Local service will expand to include a new comprehensive search capability that will search your library's OCLC and non-OCLC library resources in a single search with integrated search results.
- Will we receive a library-branded URL and search box for both "quick start" and the upcoming integrated access to electronic resource content through WorldCat.org in July?
No, as part of its subscription to WorldCat on FirstSearch, your library will receive only one library-branded URL and search box that will enable users to connect to your library's WorldCat Local "quick start" site and to the electronic resources you license from OCLC.
Interoperability
- With which ILSs does WorldCat Local "quick start" interoperate?
ILSs with which WorldCat Local "quick start" currently interoperates are:
- Innovative Interfaces Millennium
- Innovative Interfaces INNOPAC
- Ex Libris Aleph (with Z39.50 server)
- Ex Libris Voyager
- SirsiDynix Horizon
- SirsiDynix Unicorn
- SirsiDynix Symphony
Interoperability with these ILSs means that your users will be able to see details such as location, call number, circulation status and links from your library's OPAC. This availability is primarily attained via the screen scraping method. Users may also place holds on needed materials. "Smart delivery" means that users will see the most appropriate delivery option for items in search results, based on your library's existing services. They can connect with resources using links to your existing OpenURL resolver and to your library's WorldCat Resource Sharing or ILLiad.
OCLC plans to release access to WorldCat Local "quick start" in phases by ILS
- Libraries with the ILSs for which OCLC has established interoperability (see list above) can complete their configurations and begin to use WorldCat Local "quick start" now.
- Libraries with other ILSs will receive access to their branded URL and search box in July 2009, with the release of integrated access to OCLC eContent on the WorldCat.org interface. If your library falls into this group, there are preparations you can make now for use of your new site in July. For planning information, see Welcome to WorldCat Local "quick start".
- What if I don't have one of those ILSs? How do I benefit?
Your library will benefit from WorldCat Local features such as local branding and URLs, links to OpenURL resolvers and existing services, and locally ranked search results beginning in July 2009. Expanded access to other ILS systems will be added in phases, including prominent links to library catalogs and APIs and NCIP for library staffs to create their own interoperability features later in 2009.
- Will this work with my open URL resolver? With which OpenURL resolvers does WorldCat Local "quick start" work?
You may set up a link from WorldCat records to your existing OpenURL 1.0-compliant resolver.
WorldCat Local "quick start" does not access information in your resolver knowledge base. Rather, it links users to your resolver and provides users with a list of resources available from your library at the article and title levels.
NOTE: It is essential for your library to add holdings information for its serials titles to WorldCat in order for WorldCat Local to appropriately display a link to your OpenURL resolver. You may wish to use OCLC's eSerials Holdings service to streamline the work needed to add serials ownership information to WorldCat.
- How does OCLC obtain circulation information from my ILS?
Circulation information including item location, call number, status and OPAC links is retrieved using screen scraping or Z39.50. The method used depends on information available to OCLC about your library's current services.
WorldCat Local "quick start" and WorldCat Local communicate with ILSs using the OCLC control number in catalog records. For this reason, your library must index the OCLC control number in a consistent manner with consistent prefixes in order for the system-to-system communication to occur.
OCLC plans to add local system numbers as a future way for WorldCat Local to communicate with your local system.
- How is shelf status displayed in an ILS shared by a group of libraries?
During configuration, you may identify the locations that should be sorted to appear at the top of results lists in order to appropriately separate your library’s holdings from the rest of the holdings in the shared catalog. Your staff will specify location names that will appear first in detailed record displays.
- My library's catalog supports Z39.50. How does this interact with WorldCat Local "quick start"?
Your library's WorldCat Local "quick start" site has been set up using either screen scraping or Z39.50, based on information OCLC obtained about your library using public sources. If your library has an Ex Libris Aleph system, Z39.50 was used to establish interoperability. For most other library systems, OCLC used screen scraping.
Your "quick start" site will be maintained using the method originally set up for it.
Local configuration
- Which features can I configure for my WorldCat Local "quick start" site?
Staff at your library can configure a number of features in your library's WorldCat Local "quick start" site.
You can:
- Customize your WorldCat.org URL
- Brand your site with your library's logo and colors
- Add links to local services including your OpenURL full-text resolver and virtual reference service
- Specify relevance ranking preferences
- Set up IP address access to library's resources
- Set up the service to reflect your library's circulation policies including indication of noncirculating or checked out items, place hold options
- Specify which items are available through your OpenURL resolver
- Establish links to your library's current OCLC resource sharing options, WorldCat Resource Sharing or ILLiad.
Additional configuration options such as interoperability with a second ILS, relevance ranking of resources from collections of other libraries in your group or consortium, and integration of delivery through a consortial borrowing service are supported by a subscription to the WorldCat Local service.
- How do I complete the configuration?
Staff at your library will first complete a registration form to initialize your service.
OCLC staff will contact you to request any additional information needed to establish your site.
OCLC provides a number of resources to help you configure your WorldCat Local "quick start," including:
- Web information sessions
- Brief online tutorials that provide detailed information about use of the Configuration Form
- A "Readiness Checklist"
- Daily live chat sessions with WorldCat Local staff who will answer your questions.
For additional information, see the complete list of resources available to support your library through the configuration process.
NOTE: Libraries that subscribe to WorldCat Local also receive guided configuration support as part of their subscription to the service.
- Which features can I configure if interoperability with my ILS is not currently available?
There are a number of features your library can configure for your WorldCat Local "quick start" site, including:
- The way your library's name and branding displays in your branded URL, search box and interface
- The link to your library's OpenURL full-text resolver
- IP address ranges for user access to licensed content
- The link to your library's virtual reference service
- Links to other library resources such as your library Web site
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Display of library holdings
- Not all of my holdings are in WorldCat—how do I update them?
You may request a no-charge, one-time batchload of current records in your library catalog into WorldCat. For additional
information, see Batch Processing.
- I don't catalog my holdings with OCLC. How will my library benefit from WorldCat Local "quick start"?
Your library will benefit from WorldCat Local "quick start" once you add your holdings to the WorldCat database.
WorldCat Local "quick start" provides a user-centric entry point to your library that increases the visibility of your resources on the Web. OCLC's partnerships with popular search engines such as Google, Yahoo! Search and MSN help connect more Web users to your library's quality collections.
WorldCat Local "quick start" will also facilitate seamless delivery of library resources to your users through smart delivery technology. This technology determines the most appropriate delivery option for needed items based on your library's policies, eliminating the need for users to consult multiple delivery "silos."
Other management issues
- Will I receive usage statistics about my library's WorldCat Local "quick start" activity?
Yes. Your library will receive statistics of monthly activity on its WorldCat Local "quick start" site via e-mail from OCLC.
Statistics will include:
- Daily unique visitors
- Number of results for each search executed
- Search terms
- Number of service clicks (every type of service on the page and number of times it was clicked)
- Coming soon: total number of searches by FirstSearch database.
If your library requires more extensive statistical reporting, you may wish to subscribe to the WorldCat Local service that includes a more comprehensive set of locally configurable statistics.
- What is OCLC's plan for a cooperative, next-generation ILS and how will it interoperate with my OCLC services?
A cooperative, next-generation ILS will provide a network-level platform for the management of local library collections. The cooperative ILS will interoperate directly with OCLC services, including WorldCat Local, and will have several features that distinguish it from a traditional library management service.
The network-level ILS will:
- Significantly reduce the total cost of ownership for managing library resources
- Embrace a service-oriented architecture for interoperability with other business process systems, such as financial systems, HR systems, course management systems and authentication services
- Provide services at Web scale (the ability to support thousands of libraries on a single platform)
- Create immediate, cooperative, network effects through shared metadata, group identity management, discovery, materials sharing, financial transactions, socialization, service resolution, collection management, reporting and business intelligence
- Discovery of all of your library's resources through a single search using WorldCat Local.
- When does OCLC plan to offer a cooperative, next-generation ILS?
OCLC will begin to test circulation functionality with test sites in June 2009. Following several months of testing, functionality will be evaluated and refined to meet the needs of different types of libraries.
- Can my library participate in testing of the cooperative, next-generation ILS?
Pilot sites have been selected and work is underway to determine library needs and functionality. OCLC does not plan to add new participants for testing.
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