OCLC Cataloging Community Meeting

18 June 2025

This free, virtual event attracted library professionals from around the globe and covered a wide range of topics. First, Yale University and Wellcome Collection showcased their impactful contributions toward promoting greater access to their collections. Next, OCLC staff provided updates on our cataloging products and services and demonstrated our commitment to WorldCat quality.


Session recording, slides, and resources list


Agenda

Welcome

Hank Sway, Product Manager, Metadata & Digital Services, OCLC

Metadata Panel: Metadata Collaboration Across Cultural Heritage Institutions

E pluribus unum: Aligning metadata across libraries, archives and museums at Yale

LUX: Yale Collections Discovery is a digital platform providing access to millions of records represented in Yale’s cultural heritage collections. Hear Yale University staff describe how multiple institutions within Yale use shared entities and policies for data interoperability in support of LUX. 

Panelists:

  • Dr Rob Sanderson, Senior Director for Digital Cultural Heritage, Yale University (USA)
  • Tim Thompson, Manager, Metadata Services Unit, Yale University (USA)
Better health for all

Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library exploring health and human experience. Discover how staff at Wellcome Collection support the organization’s vision of ‘Better health for all’ through initiatives that maximize access to its collections.

Panelists:

  • Dr Katy Mair, Collections Information Lead, Wellcome Collection (UK)
  • Dr Adrian Plau, Collections Information Lead, Wellcome Collection (UK)
Discussion hosted by Cynthia Whitacre, Senior Metadata Operations Manager, OCLC

Break


Agenda

OCLC cataloging products and services update

Hank Sway introduces Morag Boyd as the newly appointed Director of Metadata Services at OCLC, followed by presentations from OCLC product experts.

Leveraging AI in OCLC cataloging applications

Learn how OCLC embraces the capabilities of AI to enhance its cataloging applications and support library staff. Petra Löffel and Alexis Fintel will provide an update on the ongoing AI pilot in Connexion and share how user feedback and project learnings are guiding the upcoming AI pilot in WorldShare® Record Manager.

Panelists:

  • Petra Löffel, Senior Product Analyst, OCLC
  • Alexis Fintel, Product Analyst, OCLC
Transforming the Dewey Decimal Classification System® (DDC®) into linked data

In September 2024, OCLC began creating uniform resource identifiers (URIs) for Dewey numbers, further expanding its robust linked data infrastructure. Jeff Mixter will summarize the benefits of transforming this dataset into linked data and explain why we’re integrating Dewey URIs into bibliographic records. 

Panelist:

  • Jeff Mixter, Senior Product Manager, OCLC
Announcing a new Connexion macro

Alexis Fintel discusses a new macro in Connexion that allows catalogers to search and insert linked data URIs into bibliographic records.

Panelist:

  • Alexis Fintel, Product Analyst, OCLC
Increasing WorldShare Collection Manager’s interoperability 

Hank Sway explains how user feedback supported the release of two new Collection Manager enhancements relating to improving the Alma Knowledge Base Sync and the creation of a dashboard that provides libraries with greater visibility and control over their collections.  

Panelist:

  • Hank Sway, Product Manager, OCLC
Spotlighting the WorldCat Metadata API

Karen Coombs demonstrates the power of OCLC’s WorldCat Metadata API, shares existing code samples and highlights community tools for bulk metadata editing, such as MatchMarc and BookOps-WorldCat.  

Panelist:

  • Karen Coombs, Senior Product Analyst, OCLC

OCLC's commitment to WorldCat quality

Laura Ramsey and Kate James provide updates on new and ongoing initiatives to enhance WorldCat records, invite you to upcoming AskQC office hours, and more.

Panelists:

  • Laura Ramsey, Senior Metadata Operations Manager, OCLC
  • Kate James, Program Coordinator, Metadata Engagement, OCLC

Discussion and close