Action for Libraries
OCLC Continues to Modify WorldCat Resource Sharing
By Heather Clark
OCLC staff in March made a number of changes to WorldCat Resource sharing. The
changes — enhancements and fixes — are enabling the
rich data in OCLC WorldCat to work harder for BCR/OCLC members.
OCLC added a new printing option for WorldCat Resource Sharing requests. The new one-request-per-page option is now the default printing option and can be modified from the Printing module. All fields are included in this print format; however, it was necessary to truncate some of the longer fields to ensure a true, one-page format. If a library prefers, staff may still choose the full request format or the two-request-per-page format. This change would persist throughout a WorldCat Resource Sharing session. Currently, the printing default cannot be changed in the Administration Module.
Known Issues Addressed
Several known issues with WorldCat Resource Sharing were also addressed in the March modifications.
- Previously, users who navigated out of the printing module with a browser back button instead of the FirstSearch return button were left in print mode. This action limited the ability to edit the next record. This issue has been addressed and should no longer cause workflow problems.
- Previously, library staff were unable to renew materials that were more than 14 days overdue. This ability is now available
again. The renewal request buttons appear at the top of an overdue request. Users will still be able to request a renewal by
editing a request.
- Patrons of libraries using ILL via e-mail previously were receiving an error message. They were told that the request failed. In fact, the request had not failed. With the March modifications, this has been fixed and should no longer cause patron confusion.
FirstSearch Administrative Module
Enhancements have also been made to the FirstSearch administrative module. A Home screen is now available in the FirstSearch
administrative module (admin module). The Home screen summarizes benefits of customization features in the admin module with
emphasis on some of the most commonly used functionality. The screen also contains the existing information to help libraries manage
FirstSearch accounts and decide when to place additional FirstSearch orders. Also, users can now search for any admin module Help topic
via a search box at the top of any screen.
Looking Ahead
In the near future, OCLC is planning significant enhancements to WorldCat Resource Sharing, changes that will enable more streamlined
work flows for Interlibrary Loan service. Among anticipated enhancements are:
- The introduction of event processing should speed request processing by validating requests offline.
- Access to the Connexion browser is to be enhanced by adding direct links in WorldCat Resource Sharing, allowing users to add and edit Local Holdings Records without having to log into the Connexion browser separately.
- Users of the Policies Directory (PD) will be able to set requests coming into their system to bypass their request manager based on service type, group membership and format type, improving processing efficiency by automatically moving requests by institutions that cannot fill it. In the future, deflection will include parameters based on cost, geography, age of material, library type and e-serial specific parameters.