A c t i o n f o r L i b r a r i e s — O c t o b e r 2 0 0 4

OCLC Sets Cataloging, Resource Sharing,
Union List Software End-of-Life Dates

By Ann Schwab and Regan W. Harper

OCLC has announced end-of-life dates for its current cataloging, resource sharing and union list software. Dates related to the availability of key functionality and migration guidelines are also being announced. This month Action for Libraries will focus on guidelines for moving to OCLC Resource Sharing services. Next month the spotlight will be on OCLC Cataloging services.

End-of-Life Dates
OCLC will discontinue various software titles according to the schedule outlined below.

May 1, 2005 — OCLC will end the functionality of Passport for Cataloging and resource sharing, ILL Web, ILL Micro Enhancer (ILL ME) and ILLiad 6.x software. Those who use Passport for cataloging must move to the Connexion browser or client. Those who use Passport for ILL, ILL Web, ILL ME or ILLiad 6.x for resource sharing must begin to use WorldCat Resource Sharing (formerly known as the FirstSearch staff view) or OCLC ILLiad 7.0.

June 2005 — OCLC will end Passport union listing functionality. Those who use Passport for Union List activities must begin using the Connexion service.

July 1, 2005 — OCLC will close down CatME, CJK and Arabic. All users of these cataloging programs will be required to use the Connexion browser or client.

Key Migration Dates for Resource Sharing
Additional dates throughout the next year also have been established for introducing changes in the way library staff perform various ILL activities.

December 2004 — All libraries currently using OCLC ILL that do not have access to FirstSearch can log on to WorldCat Resource Sharing (currently referred to as the FirstSearch staff view). The FirstSearch log-in page will accept all OCLC ILL authorizations and passwords and will take new users directly to WorldCat Resource Sharing's search page.

Version 7.0 of ILLiad, ensuring ongoing interoperability with OCLC ILL, is expected to be released at that time. ILLiad users will see a new OCLC search form for sending requests based on the current form for borrowing. All updating and downloading will happen automatically and in real time.

WorldCat Resource Sharing at that same time is expected to introduce additional features and functionality. The improved workflow will enable users of Passport for ILL and ILL ME to move to WorldCat Resource Sharing. These anticipated new features will include:

Custom Holdings lender string creation for serials, based on year(s) of holdings information in local data records, allows you to request a serial only from those institutions that can fill the request.
Integration with ILL Policies Directory data deflects requests based on groups, states, fees, formats, published-in-current-year items, etc. You only see requests that you can fill.
Addition of local holdings information from your OPAC to the request form, paving the way for a later enhancement to create picklists.

June 2005 — Connexion will support detailed holdings (LDR) maintenance. More details on union listing will be forthcoming.

Second Quarter 2005 — OCLC's resource sharing database will itself move to a new technology platform. WorldCat Resource Sharing will experience downtime during this change. OCLC will provide advance notice of the time and duration and work to minimize the impact on libraries.

Training
If you'd like to see what WorldCat Resource Sharing looks like and learn more about it, visit the OCLC Web site at www.oclc.org/ill/migration/ or view the WorldCat Resource Sharing tutorial at www5.oclc.org/downloads/tutorials/firstsearch/sv/rsbasics/intro/index.html. If you have difficulty accessing this site, contact OCLC Support Services at (800) 848-5800.

BCR is offering the workshop, "OCLC ILL Basics Using the FirstSearch ILL Staff View." For more information, visit www.bcr.org/training/workshops/ill.html. If you'd like to schedule on-site training just for your staff, contact BCR's Regan Harper (rharper@bcr.org). Still have questions or need more information? Contact BCR's Regan Harper (rharper@bcr.org) or Ann Schwab (aschwab@bcr.org).

Watch for detailed information on the changes to the OCLC Cataloging service in the November issue of Action for Libraries.

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OCLC Sets Cataloging, Resource Sharing, Union List Software End-of-Life Dates

OCLC Sets Cataloging, Resource Sharing,
Union List Software End-of-Life Dates