OCLC Local Data Record
Updating Service Expanded

By Ann Morrow Schwab

OCLC has expanded the scope of its Local Data Record (LDR) Updating Service.

The LDR Updating Service takes library holdings records, processes them and then creates Local Data Records (LDRs) that are added to WorldCat (the OCLC Online Union Catalog). These LDRs are used in the OCLC Union List, Interlibrary Loan and FirstSearch services.

Libraries are no longer required to meet the MARC 21 Format for Holdings Data (MFHD) standards to use the LDR Updating Service. Libraries may now submit records in non-MARC formats as long as they contain "patterned data." "Patterned data" consists of field descriptions and content and must meet the following criteria:

• Labeled data-field descriptions immediately precede their content (e.g. LOCATION: Main) or labeled columns of data in a spreadsheet.
• Delimited data fields and records are separated by a unique identifiable character or series of characters (e.g., tab delimited files).
• Positional data-field descriptions and their content are related by record position (e.g., fixed-length formatted records).

In addition, all libraries using the LDR Updating Service must meet the following requirements:

• All holdings records, regardless of format, must include the OCLC control number of the bibliographic record to which they are attached.
• The institution must be able to supply all holdings records associated with a specific bibliographic record.
• There must be only one holdings record per copy.
• The institution must participate in an OCLC Union List or Group Access/Union List group.

There is no charge to use the LDR Updating Service during the 2002-2003 fiscal year. Libraries interested in subscribing to the LDR Updating Service should:

1. Review the OCLC Local Data Record Updating Service Planning Guide at www.oclc.org/oclc/union/ldrus.pdf.
2. Complete the Batchload Order form online at www3.oclc.org/app/batchload_order/.
3. Send files to OCLC via EDX (FTP), tape or diskette. A library that wants to send files via FTP but does not currently have an EDX account must complete the EDX Assessment form at www3.oclc.org/app/edx_assessment/.

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February 27, 2008
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