A c t i o n f o r L i b r a r i e s — O c t o b e r 2 0 0 0

In Reference...

OCLC Enhances WorldCat
WorldCat, the OCLC Online Union Catalog, on the new FirstSearch service, now has enhanced searching and retrieval capabilities resulting in speedier, more efficient information retrieval and system economy. Some of the enhancements are not limited to the WorldCat database alone, but are available across all FirstSearch databases. The enhancements include:

Expert Search: The most significant WorldCat enhancement is an expert search feature designed for experienced searchers who prefer to enter logical search strings instead of searching via Web-based search screens. The new expert search can also use more precise search indexes such as the Dewey Decimal Call Number and Library of Congress Call Number. Searchers also can use index labels in any search screen basic, advanced or expert.

To explore the Expert Search features, click on the help button in the Expert Search screen and then on Index labels and examples of an expert search in WorldCat.
Indexing enhancements include:

Author and Title searches that allow more precise searching.
Subject Heading searches that are continued with the new label of su: that now includes the Named Person, Named Corporation and Named Conference fields.
Keyword (kw:), the new basic search field in WorldCat and all other FirstSearch 5.0 databases, includes the same fields used in the old version's "Subject" (su:) index.
The most commonly indexed languages can now be used as a restrictor in addition to being available as a searchable index. Users may search by language in the language index instead of relying on the onscreen restrictor that was available in previous interface.

Internet Restrictor Field: Searchers may now restrict WorldCat searches by the new category "Internet Resource" in the Advanced and Expert search modes. Results of these searches in which this restrictor is used include records representing Internet materials added to the database through the cataloging of OCLC member libraries and from the NetFirst database.
Library Holdings Descriptor: Users can now limit their searches to holdings in their own libraries by clicking on the box Items in my Library at all search levels. Users in the advanced and expert search levels can also choose to limit their searches to a specified library by typing the library code in the Library Code box.
Thesaurus: WorldCat now includes the Library of Congress Subject Headings as a searchable thesaurus. Users can search the thesaurus directly to find valid terms or move from a bibliographic record to a list of subject headings. Viewing the full thesaurus records allows the user to see notes, related headings, subdivisions and more.

Statistical Universe Redesigned
CIS/LEXIS-NEXIS has dramatically redesigned its Statistical Universe database. Full- text documents, which used to be available as optional modules, are now incorporated into the basic subscription to the Federal, State/Private and International modules. PowerTables, a new module now required for all subscriptions to Statiscial Universe, has been added.

PowerTables Base Edition, which is available free for now, offers users the ability to find statistical data without any prior knowledge of CIS products. Users can search directly for a table based on subject, coverage date and other criteria. Each table is accompanied by a link to the CIS abstract describing the document and a .pdf file of the complete document. PowerTables contains more than 25,000 tables with source materials from federal, state and international publications. Additional tables are being added this year, and 25,000 new tables will be added annually.

H.W. Wilson News
Last month BCR and H.W. Wilson jointly announced a three-month free trial of Wilson databases available to all BCR libraries now through November 30. This is a precursor to a BCR group, site-license (unlimited access) subscription that starts December 1, 2000 (first year only) and runs through December 31, 2001. To date BCR has had a great response. If you wish to participate, use BCR's Web site to enroll.

BCR's subscription includes the following databases:

For more information, contact BCR's Karen Graham at kgraham@bcr.org.

Wilson database users now have access to the Internet and round-the-clock technical support. Wilson Interactive Technical Support on the Web provides fast answers to questions about WilsonWeb and WilsonDisc. Users can consult a database of Frequently Asked Questions or submit their own inquiries at hwwtechsup.com/ and have an answer by the next business day.

Wilson Telephone Technical Support has been expanded to offer 365 day, round-the- clock service. Call (800) 367-6770 anytime or e-mail questions to techmail@hwwilson.com.

For questions or to subscribe to any reference database, contact BCR's Jim Hensinger (jhensinger@bcr.org) or Karen Graham (kgraham@bcr.org).

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