A c t i o n f o r L i b r a r i e s — N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 3

OCLC Update

By Regan W. Harper

OCLC Partners to Develop Virtual International Authority File
OCLC, the Library of Congress and Die Deutsche Bibliothek (the German national library) have agreed to develop the Virtual International Authority File, a project that will virtually combine the personal name authority files of the Library of Congress and the Die Deutsche Bibliothek into a single name authority service. The long-term goal: to include the authoritative names from many national libraries into a common service available to users worldwide via the Web. More information about the project can be found at: www.oclc.org/research/projects/viaf/default.htm.

WorldCat Links to CONTENTdm Libraries and cultural heritage institutions using CONTENTdm Digital Collection Management Software can make unique digitized collections more visible and accessible to thousands of libraries through OCLC WorldCat. The WorldCat link is a new feature of CONTENTdm that allows libraries and other institutions to automatically add records of their unique digital collection materials to WorldCat. For more information about the WorldCat Link to CONTENTdm, see www.oclc.org/news/releases/20030619.htm.

More information about version 3.5 of CONTENTdm can be found at www.oclc.org/contentdm/.

Free Algorithm for Converting Bibliographic Databases to FRBR Model
OCLC is making an algorithm available free of charge to organizations interested in converting their bibliographic databases to the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) model. FRBR was created to help information providers deliver the most appropriate records for people seeking specific items of interest. The algorithm was developed by the OCLC Office of Research following a 1998 recommendation by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) to restructure catalog databases based on particular works rather than on the various forms in which these works are expressed. For more information on this, see www.oclc.org/news/releases/20030811.htm.

OCLC, Gates Foundation Launch New Web Site
OCLC has launched a new Web-based service designed to help public libraries and other institutions that offer public access computing to share knowledge and experience in providing technology to patrons. The resource, called WebJunction (webjunction.org/), was developed through a three-year, $9 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. OCLC partnered with the Colorado State Library, Benton Foundation, Isoph and TechSoup to collectively provide research, evaluation, governance, e-learning and technology skills to design, develop and operate the Web site. For more information about WebJunction see www.oclc.org/news/releases/20030507.htm.

ISO Recognizes Dublin Core Metadata Element Set
The Dublin Core Metadata Element Set (DCMES) has been approved by the International Standards Organization (ISO) as an international metadata standard. DCMES, also known as "Dublin Core," was developed for use on the Web and in other information networks across a wide variety of subject areas, languages and economic sectors. Dublin Core has been adopted by seven national governments and translated into 30 languages. OCLC serves as the primary sponsor for the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI) and manages its Web site. DCMI is the maintenance agency for the Dublin Core standard and is responsible for its development, standardization and promotion. Learn more about DCMI at dublincore.org/.

Watch WorldCat Grow
A new feature on the OCLC Web site, Watch WorldCat Grow, allows visitors to see the most recent individually cataloged records added to WorldCat. On average, a new record is added to WorldCat every 12 seconds. The new Web feature, www.oclc.org/worldcat/grow.htm, shows the latest records as they are added to WorldCat in eight-second intervals, the Web page automatically reloading as each new record is added. Each brief record shows the OCLC number, title, author, publisher, publication date, language, format and contributing institution.

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