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

OCLC Update

By Rosario Garza

Language Sets Service Expanded
In last month's Action for Libraries, the lead article focused on the OCLC Language Sets service, which can help librarians meet the needs of users who want non-English language materials. Now OCLC is adding another set of languages to this service. OCLC has announced that in June it will add Indic Language Sets to the service, which already includes Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese sets. Libraries will be able to select from six different languages in the Indic group: Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Panjabi, Urdu and Tamil.

The Indic sets follow the established format of the other language sets and are available as ready-for- the-shelf collections of books for adults and children. New sets will be offered every other month (i.e., February, April, June, August, October, December).

For pricing information, check the OCLC Language Sets Web site ( www.oclc.org/languagesets/). Orders are now being taken. The initial set will be shipped in October.

CORC, CatExpress Product Names to Retire
OCLC has announced plans to introduce the new OCLC cataloging service June 30. The new service incorporates all current CORC and CatExpress functionality, as well as expanded capabilities that enable users to catalog all formats.

Therefore, CORC, as a separate product name, will cease on June 30. CORC users, however, will continue to have access to all of the CORC features to which they are accustomed, such as automated metadata extraction, Dublin Core, Pathfinders and linked authorities.

Also on June 30, OCLC will begin phasing out the CatExpress name. Current CatExpress users now access the service through the CORC Web site by clicking on the "CatExpress" tab. That tab will be renamed "Express" on June 30.

However, the availability of the subscription program for nonmembers will not change. Current full OCLC members will still be able choose to use the Express interface option. And to make the Express interface even more attractive to all, the Express functionality will be enhanced with an export option for record delivery for both subscription program participants and for those using the Express interface.

The CatExpress Tutorial, documentation, order forms and Web site will continue to use the CatExpress name in the short-term. However, the "CatExpress" name eventually will be replaced in those areas, as well.

Please note: Current CatExpress users will not need to change their authorization numbers and passwords. They can continue to access the service as they do now. Current CatExpress subscribers will continue to see only the services to which they subscribe.

For questions or concerns about these upcoming changes, please contact any of the following BCR staff: Rosario Garza (rgarza@bcr.org), Linda Gonzalez (lgonzale@bcr.org), Regan Harper (rharper@bcr.org) or Ann Schwab (aschwab@bcr.org).

OCLC Changes Documentation Distribution
Earlier this year OCLC staff conducted a survey to determine whether to continue distributing printed documentation or have only electronic versions of documentation available for users. Based on the survey's results, the following changes in the distribution of OCLC documentation will implemented July 1.

OCLC will send print copies of documentation only to libraries that order them. Currently, OCLC automatically sends print copies of new editions, revisions and technical bulletins to libraries that have older editions. For documentation issued after July 1, OCLC will send an update notice to current holders of the documentation announcing the availability of both the print and Web versions and asking them to order needed printed copies. One no-charge copy will continue to be available to libraries that need a print copy. Libraries must order the no-charge copy and any additional print copies, which will be billed. The technical bulletins can be ordered as a series rather than as individual documents.
OCLC and BCR will continue to distribute reference cards to all users of the related services.
OCLC will no longer distribute print copies of the FirstSearch Databases notebook and Managing FirstSearch. They will continue to be available from the OCLC Web site, and libraries can print them in whole or in part. OCLC will expand the information on the database Web pages and make them easier to print and customize.
OCLC will continue to distribute print copies of the FirstSearch Databases list.

Because it is often difficult for users to find and use Web-based documentation, OCLC will make several changes to the way documentation is presented on the Web site. OCLC will also provide a new listserv (update-l) to announce documentation revisions as they become available.

The first items to be affected by the policy change that requires users to order documentation are the Participating Institutions by Institution Name list and the technical bulletin series. OCLC will mail an update notice this month to users of these publications. Remember to order print copies when needed.

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