OCLC Update

By Regan W. Harper
Reminder: Passport for ILL and Cataloging Ending May 1
The end-of-life for Passport software is rapidly approaching. If you have not migrated already to the new OCLC Cataloging and ILL services, you will need to do so soon.

Passport for ILL, ILLWeb and ILL Micro Enhancer will be discontinued May 1. You must migrate to the new WorldCat Resource Sharing service or ILLiad 7.0 software before this date. For more information about moving from these interfaces, see the OCLC ILL migration page at www.oclc.org/ill/migration/default.htm.

Passport for Cataloging ends May 1, as well. You will need to move to one of the new OCLC cataloging interfaces before that time — either OCLC Connexion browser interface or OCLC Connexion client. Both provide full cataloging functionality, but each has its own special tool set to add to the cataloging experience. For more information about these options, visit the OCLC Connexion Web site at www.oclc.org/connexion/migrating/default.htm.

For further questions about these changes and your institution, contact BCR's Regan Harper (rharper@bcr.org).

Migration of OCLC Authorities
With support for Passport for cataloging ending May 1, the next major phase of OCLC's migration involves moving all NACO processes to the OCLC Connexion service. This phase of the migration follows the implementation of the Review Process available in the Connexion browser and client applications. OCLC is working with the Library of Congress to ensure the changes will not alter the formatting of OCLC authority records or cause disruptions to the NACO project.

Of paramount importance: Effective May 1, any remaining authority records in an institution's save file will be permanently lost (locks will be removed, edits will be lost, etc.). OCLC staff will not be able to retrieve any lost data. Because authority records currently in the Passport or Cataloging Micro Enhancer (CatME) respective save files cannot be moved into Connexion, it is imperative that appropriate action be taken to clean out all authority records that reside in an institution's save file.

On May 1, the following processes will be permanently disabled in Passport and/or CatME:

The ability to access the online authority save file via Passport users.
The ability to add new authority records via Passport and/or CatME.
The ability to replace authority records via Passport and/or CatME.
The ability to access submitted/responded records via Passport and/or CatME.
The ability to search or browse the OCLC authority file using Passport.
The ability to export authority records using Passport Important clarification for CatME users.

OCLC will discontinue support for NACO functionality in CatME on May 1. This is a change from what was previously announced. Because the NACO functionality in CatME is closely tied to Passport, it became necessary that the NACO processes for Passport and CatME be dismantled on the same date. CatME users will be able to continue to search, edit and export authority records until July 1.

If you have not yet already done so, please move all of your NACO activities to Connexion by May 1. See www.oclc.org/connexion/migrating/ for additional information on moving to Connexion.

WorldCat Resource Sharing Enhanced
Recent changes to OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing allow patrons and staff to save their marked records in the service so that they remain available the next time they log in. Previously, users could save their marked records only for the current session. This is available to libraries with subscription access to WorldCat and requires the user to log on as an OCLC User using the My Account functionality. For more information, contact BCR's Regan Harper.

Moving CatME Macros to Connexion Client
Are you moving OCLC Cataloging Micro Enhancer (CatME) macros to the Connexion client? If so, you may want to review the presentation and script for the Macro-Enhancing Connexion session recently conducted by Harvey Hahn, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, and Joel Hahn, Niles Public Library District, available from the Connexion macro site at www.oclc.org/connexion/support/macros.htm. (See the links at the bottom of the page.)

The Hahns compare macro commands in CatME and Connexion client, focusing on what is identical, similar, different and obsolete. They also share several tips.

New Promptcat Vendor Added
OCLC has added Perma-Bound Books, a division of Hertzberg-New Method, Inc., as a PromptCat vendor. Perma-Bound serves K-12 schools and libraries, offering more than 43,000 titles from 400 publishers. Nearly all of the titles are bound in Perma-Bound's patented bindings, known for their durability and recognized by the Library Binding Institute.

Additional Perma-Bound services include online catalog ordering, complete cataloging and processing and a collection development/analysis service. Perma-Bound is also a Renaissance Learning software distributor. Visit the Perma-Bound Web site (www.perma-bound.com) to find out more. To see a list of all PromptCat vendors, go to www.oclc.org/promptcat/about/vendors/. For more information on the PromptCat service, see www.oclc.org/promptcat/default.htm.

143 Millionth ILL Request Created by BYU Library
The 143 millionth OCLC ILL request was created February 24, by Brigham Young University (OCLC symbol UBY), a BCR member library located in Provo, Utah. The request was placed using OCLC ILLiad for the article, "Viral hijacking of G-protein-coupled-receptor signaling networks," from the journal Nature Reviews: Molecular Cell Biology.

OCLC SULOP Update
OCLC will produce all current SULOP (Serial Union List Offline Products) at least until the release of Connexion extended holdings maintenance functionality and for a short time after the hot cutover from the former Union List service. OCLC is exploring options for delivering holdings data and will communicate plans for those new products when final decisions have been made, as well as the end-of-life date for the current method of SULOP production. OCLC anticipates to announce its plans no later than July.

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