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OCLC Update

By Regan W. Harper

OCLC Access Suite 5.00 Now Available
Version 5.00 of the OCLC Access Suite compact disc is now available for order at no charge. All software included on the compact disc has been previously released for electronic download from the OCLC Web site. If you have already downloaded these applications, you do not need to request the compact disc.

This new CD includes updated versions of the following applications:

  • OCLC Cataloging Micro Enhancer for Windows software, version 2.10 (CatME)
  • OCLC Cataloging Label Program, version 1.21
  • OCLC CJK software, version 3.11
  • Searching WorldCat: An OCLC Tutorial, version 1.02
  • In addition, it includes these new applications:

  • OCLC Arabic Cataloging software, version 1.02
  • OCLC CatME para Windows - Edici¢n Espanol, version 2.11
  • The applications listed below continue to be included on the compact disc; however, the versions are the same as those on the previous CD:

  • OCLC Dewey Cutter Macro, for use with Passport
  • OCLC ILL Micro Enhancer for Windows, version 2.10
  • OCLC Multiscripts Z39.50 Client, version 1.00
  • OCLC Passport software, version 1.11
  • Using Interlibrary Loan: An OCLC Tutorial, version 1.00
  • Print copies of the following documentation packages are now available for order. Previously these items were only available electronically on the Web site:

  • OCLC Arabic Cataloging documentation package
  • OCLC Multiscripts Z39.50 Client documentation package
  • The following documentation packages have been updated and print copies are available for order:

  • OCLC Cataloging Label Program documentation package
  • OCLC Cataloging Micro Enhancer for Windows documentation package (English)
  • For more information and to order the compact disc, please see www.oclc.org/oclc/menu/suite/, or contact Regan W. Harper (rharper@bcr.org) at BCR.

    CatME, Spanish Edition Released
    OCLC CatME para Windows - Edici¢n Espa¤ol, the Spanish edition of this OCLC software, is now available. This Spanish edition (CatME 2.11) includes the same functionality as the latest English version (Cataloging Micro Enhancer 2.10). You can download the software from the OCLC Web site (www.oclc.org/catme/), and it is available on version 5.00 of the OCLC Access Suite compact disc. You can order the OCLC Access Suite compact disc at no charge. CatME Help, which is included with the CatME software, is currently available in Spanish. Other Cataloging Micro Enhancer documentation, such as Getting Started, Quick Reference and Learning to Use documents will be available in Spanish from the OCLC Web site over the coming months.

    PromptCat Delay Holdings Option Changed
    If your library uses OCLC PromptCat's delay holdings option, you may be interested in a recent change. In the past, the holdings delay was always 21 days. Now, you can choose the number of days you want to delay your holdings from one day to 180 days.

    To make the change, please send an e-mail message to Julie Whitley at whitleyj@oclc.org with the number of days you would like your holdings delayed. Whitely will have your profile changed, and a new copy will be sent to you as an FYI.

    This change is so new that it isn't on the order form yet. OCLC will revise the order form soon.

    For more information, contact Linda Gonzalez (lgonzale@bcr.org) at BCR.

    Changes to WebDewey
    Cataloging members with WebDewey (or Abridged WebDewey) access now have the option to run a Dewey-only session under their regular cataloging authorization. The following will apply:

    • Dewey-only sessions will not incur access and support fees.
    • Dewey-only sessions will not count against simultaneous log-on limits for libraries subscribing to Flat Fee Internet access.

    The option to run a Dewey-only session will be available from the Connexion logon screen. WebDewey users will also have the option to set a default preference mode (cataloging session or Dewey-only session) at the Local Browser Settings, located at the bottom of the Connexion logon screen.

    OCLC has also added enhancements to Dewey Services: a general customization option and a default index change to the Search screen. First, WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey users can further customize their interface within the Dewey Services tab by selecting the show/hide checkbox options at General-Preferences-Interface Customization Options-Dewey Services. Second, the default Search index currently listing "Captions" will be changed to "Relative Index" in both WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey user interfaces.

    Change in TCP/IP Export Using Connexion
    A change has been made relating to the TCP/IP export option available via OCLC Connexion. The IP address from which OCLC exports records has changed. If your institution uses a firewall, you may need to configure your firewall software to allow access from OCLC's new IP address. This may need to be completed by a system administrator. If you are using TCP/IP export and have a firewall, please follow the instructions below to configure your firewall software. Additional information can be found in the HELP topics from within Connexion.

    Firewall setup: If your local system is behind your site's firewall, complete the following steps:

    • Specify a host name/address and port number that provide access to your local system through the firewall.
    • Configure the firewall software to recognize and accept data from the numeric IP address the system uses to send export data: 132.174.2.67.

    For further questions, contact OCLC's User Support desk at (800) 848-5800.

    Connexion and Local Data Fields
    A few users have asked how Connexion treats local data fields, e.g., field 590, in the MARC View for Export. Currently, local data fields do not remain in the record display after a new record is added to WorldCat. Local data fields do remain in the display after a user has updated or produced an existing record. Local data fields do not remain in the display after an existing record is replaced. OCLC will correct this in the future, but the schedule for doing so has not yet been determined.

    At the present time, OCLC users have two options for entering local data fields.

    • Users can enter the local data fields into a newly created record prior to the update or produce and then enter the fields again prior to the export. Users will have to key the local data fields in twice. The fields will appear in the exported record and be stored in the archive record at OCLC.
    • Users can enter the local data fields after the update or produce, just prior to the export. They will only have to key the local data fields in once. The fields will appear in the exported record, but they will not be stored in the archive record at OCLC.

    For a replace, users must add the local data fields after the record is replaced and before the update or produce.

    ILL Web and ILL Passport Interfaces Enhanced
    In July, OCLC made enhancements to the ILL Web and ILL Passport interfaces.

    When the ILL Web interface was released last September, OCLC included preprogrammed access keys that activated various links on the Web pages. For example, from any screen, <Alt> would take the focus to the Search & Create tab; hitting <Enter> would display the Basic Search screen. Now an automatic <Enter> activates the choice immediately. For more information on the various keystrokes available, see the Local Browser Settings (on the logon screen), item #21.

    In June OCLC announced that ILL records created from a WorldCat record in the ILL Web interface would include the bibliographic record's format information in the Verified field in addition to the existing bib information that is mapped to ILL fields. Now OCLC has added the enhancement to ILL records created in the Passport interface. All OCLC ILL records created from WorldCat records will now include the format data in the Verified field.

    Lenders will be able to respond "No" or "Conditional" immediately to requested items based on their format. Electronic books and serials will be easily identified.

    OCLC Reference Cards Revised
    The Searching WorldCat Reference Card and Searching WorldCat User Guide were revised on the Web. Revisions replace CORC with Connexion, the new browser-based interface to WorldCat and other OCLC databases.

    The Searching WorldCat Reference Card is available in HTML format at: www.oclc.org/worldcat/searching/referencecard/. It is also available in PDF format at www.oclc.org/worldcat/searching/referencecard/referencecard.pdf. The Searching WorldCat User Guide is available in HTML format only at www.oclc.org/worldcat/searching/guide/.

    The revised Reference Card will be available in print soon. The revised User Guide will be available in print and PDF on the Web soon, as well.

    NetFirst Integration into WorldCat Now Complete OCLC has integrated the OCLC NetFirst database into WorldCat on the OCLC FirstSearch service. NetFirst is no longer available as a separate database. OCLC has successfully removed access to NetFirst from all FirstSearch authorizations.

    As previously announced, virtually all NetFirst records have been part of WorldCat since August 2000, and WorldCat searches can be easily limited to Internet- only records. WorldCat also includes records for Internet resources that have been added by member libraries and netLibrary records, thus making WorldCat a more complete source of information on high-quality Web sites.

    Two ancillary services, NetFirst Hot Topics and the NetFirst Calendar Planner, will be discontinued in early September.


    Comments to: shoffhin@bcr.org
    February 27, 2008
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