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WebDewey Change Streamlines Workflow

By Linda Gonzalez
For catalogers using OCLC WebDewey, a recent enhancement to the service makes it much easier to check your own catalog while you are attempting to develop the correct Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) number for an item you are cataloging.

When classifying a resource, you may need to check your own library's bibliographic database to determine what your past practices have been and to compare the item in your hand with other items already cataloged in your collection. Seeing what you've already classed in a certain number that you are considering for a new item, and whether the works in that number are similar to the work you have in your hand, helps you determine a "fit."

In late August, OCLC enhanced WebDewey so that you can link directly from it to your online catalog and send a DDC number search, bypassing the need to open your catalog and perform the search there and helping to streamline your workflow.

To use this feature, your online catalog must recognize a DDC number within the URL syntax. For example, the online catalog URL for a call number search at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, is http://charli.capital.edu/search/c. To search for a DDC number, such as 372.87, in the Capital University catalog from within WebDewey, WebDewey will send the search as http://charli.capital.edu/search/c372.87. A pop-up window will display the results of the search.

Your system may require more complex syntax than that required by Capital University's local system software. If you need help with determining how your system searches call numbers, contact your system administrator or local system vendor for the URL, index identifier and syntax required for such searches in your online catalog.

For step-by-step details on setting up WebDewey to search your online catalog for DDC numbers, as well as information on the other August enhancements, please go to the "WebDewey/Abridged WebDewey August 2005 Quarterly Update" site at www.oclc.org/dewey/enhancements/enhancement200508.htm.

For help with using OCLC WebDewey, you may want to try the online tutorial, at www.oclc.org/dewey/resources/tutorial. The tutorial may be printed out, should you prefer.

Please contact BCR's Rosario Garza (rgarza@bcr.org) or Linda Gonzalez (lgonzale@bcr.org) with any questions.

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