A c t i o n f o r L i b r a r i e s — A p r i l 2 0 0 1

OCLC Update

By Rosario Garza

Bibliographic Record Notification Enhanced
The OCLC Bibliographic Record Notification service has been enhanced to deliver OCLC-MARC records that have been upgraded with either new, changed or deleted Electronic Location and Access fields (856 tag). While the entire contents of the tag are delivered in the upgraded record, only changes to the $u (URL) and $z (Public Note) will trigger delivery. Libraries currently using the Bibliographic Record Notification service will need to complete the order form to add this option.

More information about this service is found at www.oclc.org/oclc/menu/bibnote.htm. If you are interested in pricing or have questions, contact Rosario Garza (rgarza@bcr.org) at BCR.

Netscape 6.0 and CatExpress
Testing at OCLC has revealed that CatExpress will not work with Netscape 6.0 Web browser. Some issues can be addressed by changes to OCLC software, but others are inherent in the browser and must be fixed by Netscape before they can be resolved effectively. Netscape 6.0 is relatively new, and Netscape has issued periodic patches to correct problems. As with any new software, an initial period is required to discover and correct all problems.

OCLC recommends that CatExpress users utilize either Internet Explorer 4.x or higher or Netscape 4.x. OCLC is working to resolve the compatibility issues. Please do not use Netscape 6.0 to access CatExpress until OCLC announces the problems have been resolved.

CORC/OCLC Control Number Converter Offered
OCLC now offers a CORC-OCLC control number converter program. The converter is of interest to CORC Founders Phase participants who exported Resource Catalog records to local systems before OCLC integrated the Resource Catalog with WorldCat. With the converter, users can obtain the correct OCLC control number to locate WorldCat records to which their holdings were attached during the integration process.

There is no charge for installing and using the software. OCLC has no plans to update the software or its supporting data.

By using the converter, you can enter a CORC record number and obtain the OCLC control number of the corresponding OCLC WorldCat record to which your holdings have been added. The program copies the number returned into the Windows clipboard, so you can easily paste it into a text box on the Search Resource Catalog screen. The converter works in reverse as well; users can input an OCLC control number and retrieve the corresponding CORC control number.

To download the converter, go to www.oclc.org/corc/managing/number/.

"Cataloging Internet Resources" Web-based Course Released
The OCLC Institute, together with codevelopers Steven Miller, Amigos Library Services, NELINET and SOLINET, have announced the availability of "Cataloging Internet Resources Using MARC 21 and AACR2," the first course offering in the OCLC Online Library Learning series (www.oclc.org/institute/oll/index.htm).

This Web-based course provides easy, 24-hour access to an important body of knowledge for libraries today. Designed for self-paced and self-directed study, the course covers current cataloging rules and MARC fields essential for libraries to provide efficient, effective and uniform description and access for selected Internet resources using traditional standards and practices. (A module on cataloging serials is forthcoming.)

Each of the 28 interactive lessons contains learning objectives, instructional materials, real-world examples and quizzes and tests that provide immediate feedback. The course requires the use of a standard Web browser.

This course provides instruction on:

How cataloging Internet resources compares with monographic cataloging.
How to code MARC leader and control fields.
How to record title and statement of responsibility including title proper, GMD, additional title information, statement of responsibility and varying forms of title.
How to record edition statements.
How to record special characteristics of computer files.
How to record date, publisher and dates of publication.
How to record series statements.
How to record notes that pertain especially to Internet resources.
How to record electronic location and access information using the 856 field.
How to record main and added entries.
How to apply your existing experience in assigning subject headings and classification to bibliographic records for Internet.

All lessons provide references and links to authoritative documentation and standards.

Complete information about the course, including pricing and ordering, is available at www.oclc.org/institute/oll/index.htm.

Batchload Processing Reports Can Be Downloaded
In July 2000 OCLC began providing the Batchload Processing Summaries and Reports electronically to regional library networks (including BCR) via the OCLC Product Services Web (PSW). BCR and other regional networks then sent the summaries and reports on to each batchloading library.

To help get reports and summaries to users in a more timely manner, OCLC has now made them available to each individual institution on the PSW. Individual institutions can obtain the reports from OCLC's PSW, using a valid OCLC cataloging, ILL, union listing or FirstSearch authorization relating to their institution.

The Batchload Processing Summary and Report can be printed from OCLC's Product Services Web or can be saved to online files, then printed. The reports are sorted by date followed by OCLC symbol.

OCLC's Product Services Web is located at www.oclc.org/oclc/menu/prodserv.htm. Click on Records and Reports, then on All Records and Reports. Enter the assigned authorization and password; click OK. Reports remain on the site only for 90 days.

If you have any questions about these reports, please contact Linda Gonzalez (lgonzale@bcr.org) or Rosario Garza (rgarza@bcr.org) at BCR.

OCLC Arabic Cataloging Software Available
OCLC has concluded the OCLC Arabic Cataloging Pilot, and the production software is now available. OCLC Arabic Cataloging software allows users to catalog materials with Arabic script. The software is available to all OCLC Cataloging members at no charge.

You must use this software to lock, replace and upgrade bibliographic records in WorldCat that include Arabic script. If you attempt to lock a record with Arabic script using other software, you will receive an error message. You can determine if a record includes Arabic script by the presence of an 066 tag with the values of (3 (basic Arabic script) or (4 (extended Arabic script).

For more information on the OCLC Arabic Cataloging software or to download the software, please go to the OCLC Arabic home page at www.oclc.org/oclc/arabic/.

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