OCLC Update (October '98)

OCLC Update

By Rosario Garza

New Cataloging Micro Enhancer to Be Released

OCLC staff is working on a new version of the Cataloging Micro Enhancer for Windows (Cat ME) to be released in early 1999. Besides a number of enhancements, the new version will include fixes to reported problems, be integrated with the Dewey Cutter Macro and OCLC Four-Figure Cutter Tables and will be year-2000 ready.

Version 1.10 of the Cataloging Micro Enhancer will have numerous user-requested enhancements. Users will be able to:

Specify which column and row to begin printing on laser printer stock.
Define a font size different from the font size for display for printing labels, records and lists.
Include blank lines in automatic stamps to separate the automatic stamp from the call number on labels.
Automatically print batch reports after batch processing is completed.
Download up to 100 matches for batch searching.
Launch the default web browser and define a default URL within the Cataloging Micro Enhancer software.
Import original records created in the local system from a USMARC file into a work form in Cataloging Micro Enhancer for processing to WorldCat.
Turn off delete confirmations when deleting records from the local file or deleting the entire local file.
Define a keystroke to apply a string of characters that are used frequently ("simplified constant data").
Delete all text to the next subfield code by pressing the alt/F7 keys.
Specify to receive a warning when taking final actions (update, produce, etc.) while logged on interactively.
Search the bibliographic local file by author for the first 7xx on records which contain no 1xx.
Copy text from the displayed batch reports from the View menu for pasting into other Windows applications.
Display records with URLs where the URL will be a hotlink to the web address.
Designate that a record is pinned to stay open by viewing the window border.
Type in a new Type or BLvl code in a displayed bibliographic record to change the record's format.
Use the functions CloseRecord, SaveRecord, GetSelectedText, and SetSelectedText in Cataloging Micro Enhancer macros.
Automatically receive a shortcut on the desktop at installation to start the Cataloging Micro Enhancer software and the Local File Converter.

The new software will include the Dewey Cutter Macros and the OCLC Four-Figure Cutter Tables. The macros and tables will be installed automatically with Cataloging Micro Enhancer 1.10. The Cutter Four-Figure macro will be assigned to alt/c keys, and the Cutter-Sanborn Four-Figure macro will be assigned to alt/s keys.

USMARC format export for bibliographic records will be enhanced to include changes for the upcoming 1998 MARC Bibliographic Enhancements project; more information will be forthcoming.

Once the new software is available, users will be able to download it from the OCLC web site. The new version will not be shipped automatically to users. If you subscribed to the URL-Minder form on the OCLC Access Suite download page, you will receive an e-mail message when the new software is available in early 1999.

Changes Installed to OCLC's ILL System and Reports

During August and September, OCLC introduced several improvements to the OCLC ILL Service, OCLC ILL Monthly Activity reports and OCLC ILL Management Statistics reports. These enhancements are:

OCLC ILL: OCLC added a new category to the ILL Message file called Online Produce, a new feature that allows ILL staff to review, print and save to a file all requests they have produced. OCLC also expanded the searchable portion of the Patron ID field from eight to 16 alpha/numeric characters.

OCLC ILL Direct Request Service: Significant additions were made to this newest OCLC service. OCLC added another category to the ILL Message file called Direct Produce. This new category lets ILL staff review, print and save to a file all requests that have been produced using the ILL Direct Request service. A new History command also is available to users of the ILL Direct Request service. History allows ILL staff to review why a patron's ILL request was sent to the Review file and which ILL Direct request profile the request matched. ILL Direct Request also checks for duplicate ILL requests created by a patron using ILL Direct Request. If a duplicate request is detected, the library has the option of having the potential duplicate sent to the review file for review before allowing it to be produced.

OCLC ILL Monthly Activity Reports: On the summary page in the borrowing section of the OCLC Monthly Activity report, OCLC provides an additional breakdown of the number of requests created by the OCLC ILL Direct Request Service. The turnaround time, formerly provided to users in full-day increments, i.e., 10.0, is now provided to the hundredth of a day, i.e., 10.25.

OCLC ILL Management Statistics: Two new fields have been added to the ILL Management Statistics reports -- the complete date and the position in the lender string fields. The position in the lender string allows borrowing libraries to analyze their selection of lenders and determine if that selection is the most expedient in getting the request filled.

For more detailed information go to the OCLC web site at www.oclc.org/oclc/tb/tb226/frames_man.htm and download Technical Bulletin 226. The technical bulletin was mailed to ILL users in August. A FirstSearch /ILL Direct Request Quick Reference Card, designed to get you up and running with ILL Direct Request using FirstSearch as quickly as possible, was included in the mailing.