By Rosario Garza
Tape and Export Record Formats Change Notices Discontinued
Effective immediately, OCLC is discontinuing publishing the series Tape and Export
Record Formats Change Notice. The series updates the publication OCLC-MARC Tape
and Export Record Formats when OCLC implements changes to OCLC- MARC output
or exported records.
OCLC has various reasons for discontinuing the publication. First, the information for
MARC format changes duplicates that in the technical bulletins. The small amount of
information that is targeted only to individuals processing OCLC-MARC records will be
labeled in the technical bulletin in a way that is clear to readers. Second, at one time a
delay of several weeks existed between the publication of technical bulletins and change
notices. Now there is no delay or only a few days' delay. The distribution for the two
series has a large overlap (approximately 90 percent), so most people receive the
information twice. Third, the electronic availability of technical bulletins to anyone who
subscribes to TECHBUL-L eliminates the need for a separate series that is also available
electronically (TAPECHANGE-L). Fourth, the cost to produce a separate publication is
higher than the benefits realized.
OCLC staff will compare the distribution lists to identify those currently receiving only
the change notice. Those not receiving the technical bulletin will be added to the mailing
list.
ILL Micro Enhancer 1.0 Discontinued
Reminder: OCLC and BCR will discontinue support and system access for the ILL Micro
Enhancer 1.0 for Windows the end of March. After that, the system will no longer
allow ILL Micro Enhancer 1.0 to connect to the OCLC ILL service. ILL Micro Enhancer
2.0 is available on the OCLC Access Suite version 3.0 CD-ROM and for electronic
download. See www.oclc.org/oclc/menu/me.htm. Libraries using Clio software to
manage ILL requests are urged to migrate quickly to Clio 2.0, which is compatible with
the new ILL Micro Enhancer 2.0.
Cataloging User Guide, Third Edition, Available
The third edition of the OCLC Cataloging Service User Guide was published at the end
of January. One copy was mailed to each OCLC cataloging service library. HTML and
PDF versions are available on the OCLC Web site (www.oclc.org). Libraries may
purchase additional print copies by filling out the online order form also available on the
OCLC Web site.
Custom Holdings Made Easier
The Custom Holdings section of the OCLC Web site (www.oclc.org/oclc/ill/holding.htm)
now has listings of LVIS libraries by state, LVIS libraries that use
Ariel and free video lenders. The section includes instructions about how to cut and
paste the list of symbols into Passport so libraries can easily create their own Custom
Holdings. For questions about Custom Holdings, additions to be made to the lists or
suggestions for other links, contact Bonnie Robinson (brobinso@bcr.org) at BCR.
E-mail to Notify of Bib Notification File Delivery
E-mail notification is now available for Bib Notification users who retrieve their records
via their EDX account or the Product Services Web. When files are posted to a users'
accounts, each user will automatically receive an e-mail message. Current Bib
Notification libraries have been contacted by OCLC staff to set them up for this new
feature. More information on OCLC Bibliographic Record Notification is available at
www.oclc.org/oclc/promo/10040bib/10040bib.htm or in Chapter 9 of the Cataloging
Users Guide. For questions about this or any other aspect of Bib Notification, contact
Mike Wright (mwright@bcr.org) or Ann Schwab (aschwab@bcr.org) at BCR.
Cataloging Agent Can Add Records to WorldCat
CatExpress and selective ILL users now have a way to add cataloging records to OCLC's
WorldCat database. A full cataloging user can act as an agent for CatExpress and
selective users. The Cataloging Agent Authorization mode is designed to allow a full
cataloging member to process records on behalf of resource sharing group members and
CatExpress users.
The agent authorization was originally created to process selective group members'
unresolved batchload records that had been loaded into the agent's OCLC Cataloging
tapeload save file. But it now can also be used for maintaining online holdings for
resource sharing group members. By using the new authorization, the agent can set or
delete holdings for OCLC institution symbols represented in field 951 subfield l (el), as
well as add original records to WorldCat. Full cataloging members can also perform
original cataloging on behalf of CatExpress program libraries.
Cataloging agents receive the credit for the original input. The charge for the CatExpress
library is covered under their CatExpress subscription. The CatExpress library picks up
the record as part of their regular file of bibliographic records from the Product Services
Web. All online activity done by the agent, including searching, is billed to the agent. If
the agent opts to charge the CatExpress participant for this activity, the agent is
responsible for billing the participant. The agent is provided a monthly agent report to
assist in this process.
Through the agent process, CatExpress program participants may now have 100 percent
of their cataloging represented in WorldCat. However, this will not change their
membership status in OCLC to full cataloging membership. OCLC may reconsider the
status during its current review of the governance/membership process.
