BCReview newsletter

May 25, 2007

Get Special Offer on Serials Solutions Products

BCR has been able to negotiate a special offer with Serials Solutions for all new product purchases through August 15. This offer is good on all new product upgrades. It provides two free months of service (14 months for the price of 12) on a one-year subscription.

For information about Serials Solutions and its products, see BCR's Web site. Questions? Contact BCR's Jay Ford at jford@bcr.org.

Note: Check out the new Products and Services Showcase (PSS) session on Serials Solutions products scheduled for 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. on June 19.


Read more >>

Register Now for June 1 Teleconference

Register Now! The College of DuPage has added a new teleconference to its spring schedule. "ALA Copyright II: An Update," will be broadcast on Friday, June 1, from 12 noon-2:00 p.m. EDT. The program is sponsored by the American Library Association, Office for Information Technology Policy, and NILRC: Network of Illinois Learning Resources in Community Colleges.

BCR libraries in the member states of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington may view the teleconference at no cost. The state libraries in each of these states are providing funding for the site license for this additional broadcast.

Register through BCR by completing the teleconference registration form. Select "ALA Copyright II: An Update" from the choices available. You will receive an e-mail from BCR approximately one week prior to the teleconference that will provide the download information for the satellite coordinates and the URL to access the Webcast.

The program expands on the highly successful copyright program aired in September of 2004, Making Copyright Work For Your Library, providing updates and new insights on international issues that impact the national scene, and examines complex copyright and intellectual property issues. John W. Berry, NILRC Executive Director and past president of ALA, will guide the discussion, which includes a panel of experts: Kenneth Crews, Samuel R. Rosen II Professor, Indiana University School of Law; Tomas Lipinski, Associate Professor, School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee; and Miriam Nisbet, Legislative Counsel, ALA Washington Office. They will share their visions of the future of copyright in the digital age, giving time to the audience to ask questions and offer feedback.

Questions? Contact Brandie Baumann, BCR communications coordinator, at bbaumann@bcr.org.


Read more >>

Registrations Being Taken for Northwest ILL Conference

Registration is open for the sixth annual Northwest Interlibrary Loan and Resource Sharing Conference, "ILL 2.0 : tools to meet the demands," being held at Portland Community College — Sylvania Campus in Portland, Oregon, September 20-21.

The exciting program will include a keynote speech by Joseph Janes, associate professor and associate dean for academics at the Information School of the University of Washington and author of the ALA Newsletter's "Internet Librarian" column.

Other sessions will include:

  • ArticleReach and AGent Resource Sharing: User-Initiated and Mediated Resource Sharing Services
  • The Montana Project: Home Delivery Beta Test
  • Communication in the ILL Community: What Works and What Could Work Better
  • Directors Who Support Interlibrary Loan Services and Managing those Services
  • Electronic Resources Management: Copyright/Licensing
  • ILL 2.0 with Rachel Bridgewater

For more information and a link to the registration form, please visit the Northwest Interlibrary Loan and Resource Sharing Conference Web site at nwill.org/.


Read more >>

May 24, 2007

JSC Continues Updating AACR2; Latest Decisions Provided

In April, the Joint Steering Committee for Development of AACR (JSC) met in Ottawa to discuss the next edition of the cataloging rules, to be titled "Resource Description and Access" (RDA). A summary of the group's discussions is available at www.collectionscanada.ca/jsc/0704out.html.

Among the JSC’s decisions at this meeting was to change its name to the Joint Steering Committee for Development of RDA, emphasizing the future edition.

Several decisions on specific rules within RDA were made.

  • Among the details the JSC decided was that alternative titles (such as "The star-gazer" within the title "Ahab’s wife, or, The star-gazer") will no longer be considered part of the title proper and will no longer be coded as such in MARC 21 bibliographic records.
  • JSC also decided to use "Publisher not identified," "Place of publication not identified" and "Date of publication not identified" as the terms to describe those situations where publication data is lacking and cannot be supplied. (According to RDA 0.1.9, catalogers will be able to use equivalent terms in the appropriate language of the bibliographic description.)
  • Within Chapter 6, "Persons, Families, and Corporate Bodies Associated with a Resource," JSC decided to make the instructions on designating a role more prominent and to include an appendix with a controlled vocabulary of terms for use in designating roles.
  • Within Part B of RDA, "Access Point Control," a decision was made to simplify the instructions on assigning access points for creators and contributors of a resource’s content.

One issue the JSC discussed is whether RDA will contain any changes to AACR2 practice governing choice of main entry and form of access points. There was agreement that there will be no deviation from AACR2 without strong justification, considering the costs typically involved in altering headings.

JSC also discussed what instructions should be in RDA on formulating access points for families. The issue is difficult because differences exist in practice for creating such headings amongst various interested communities.

Rules for controlled access points for the Bible were also addressed. In RDA, the Old and New Testaments will be referred to as such. AACR2 practice has been to use the abbreviations "O.T." and "N.T." for the construction of uniform titles; this will not be continued in RDA. For individual books of the Bible, catalogers will use for the access point the name of the book immediately following the word "Bible" without the name of the appropriate Testament inserted between the two.

For more details on the April meeting’s outcome, please visit the Web site noted above.

The JSC will next meet in October 2007 in Chicago. A complete draft of RDA is scheduled to be available in Decemeber.


Read more >>

856 Field to Be Eliminated in BibNote

OCLC plans to discontinue the 856 field option with the OCLC Bibliographic Record Notification (BibNote) service, effective June 15. OCLC is making this change due to the rapid proliferation of 856 field changes in WorldCat Records.

Currently, BibNote sends an updated MARC record to libraries when an 856 field has been added, changed or deleted in WorldCat. As OCLC continues to implement programs that automate updates to the 856 field and the number of sources for record updates continuously increases, the number of 856 field updates has increased exponentially. As a result, receiving notification of updated 856 fields through BibNote is no longer a feasible solution for libraries. Additionally, as more libraries maintain e-resources at the local level, many no longer need to receive 856 field updates at the master record level.

OCLC staff will continue to look at alternatives to help libraries manage updates to the 856 field.

Please contact Linda Gonzalez (lgonzale@bcr.org) at BCR with any questions or concerns.


Read more >>

Subscribers Moved to Newly Created FirstSearch Listserv

To correct the problems OCLC has experienced with the FirstSearch-L listserv, OCLC has created a new OCLC-FirstSearch-L listserv with the same membership list. No action is required from subscribers to remain in this list. OCLC-FirstSearch-L will be subscribers' source for receiving the latest updates and news about the OCLC FirstSearch service.

Subscribers may leave the list at any time by sending a "SIGNOFF OCLC-FirstSearch-L" command to LISTSERV@OCLC.ORG. Subscribers may also temporarily disable mail delivery by sending a "SET OCLC-FirstSearch-L NOMAIL" command. This is useful when when going on vacation or any other times subscribers may not have access to e-mail for an extended period. To resume receiving posts, sending the command "SET OCLC-FirstSearch-L MAIL".

OCLC apologizes for the earlier problems with the original list, and looks forward to being subscribers' source of information on OCLC FirstSearch for some time to come.


Read more >>

May 22, 2007

Serials Solutions Focus of New PSS Session

Check out the new Products and Services Showcase (PSS) session scheduled for 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. on June 19. The free, one-hour Web forum will focus on Serials Solutions. Ashley Bass of of Serials Solutions, will cover each of the products in Serial Solutions’ 360 Suite of e-resource access and management products. Demonstrations of each will be provided. See more on BCR's Web site.


Read more >>

May 20 Enhancements: OCLC Z39.50 Cataloging Institution Record

The Z39.50 Cataloging Institution Record enhancements were successfully installed. See last week's announcement for details, as well as the online documentation at www.oclc.org/support/documentation/z3950/search_IRs/default.htm.

For an example of a WorldCat record with linking institution records, see OCLC record control number 2318292.

Note that the System Control Number search (Use Attribute 5028) is currently not working. OCLC will announce when this has been corrected; apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.


Read more >>

May 20 Enhancements: Connexion Browser Institution Record

The May 20 enhancements to the Connexion browser have been implemented. (See the May 18 BCReview message, for details about this installation.

For an example of a WorldCat record with linking institution records,look at OCLC record control number 2318292.

RLG migrating libraries that requested institution records are now authorized to create and maintain their institution records online using the Connexion browser, OCLC Web-based cataloging interface. If you have any problems with your authorization, please contact BCR.

As noted last week, the institution record indexes, including the new ir: index, are not currently operational, but are expected to be available mid-June. Connexion client institution record support will be available with version 2.00, scheduled for late June.

For further information about institution records support in the Connexion browser, see the Connexion browser online documentation www.oclc.org/support/documentation/connexion/browser/cataloging/inst_records/ and the Connexion Browser Institution Records tutorial at www5.oclc.org/downloads/tutorials/connexion/browser/ir_browser.htm

Contact Linda Gonzalez (lgonzale@bc.org) at BCR if you have any questions.


Read more >>

May 18, 2007

Special Pricing for CQ Press Political Reference Suite

BCR and CQ Press are offering special pricing for the popular Political Reference Suite. Now through December 31st, BCR member libraries are eligible for access to a suite of select CQ Online databases.

Included in this special offer are the following databases:
  • Congress and the Nation 1945-2004
  • Historic Document Series 1972-2005
  • Political Handbook of the World (New)
  • Politics in America
  • Washington Information Directory
  • Supreme Court Yearbook
  • Vital Statistics on American Politics

Libraries that purchase access to the Political Reference Suite are not only eligible for a substantial discount, but will also get all 2007 updates at no additional charge.

Learn more about this special offer in BCR's upcoming Products and Services Showcase with Lisa Larson from CQ Press on June 5th.

Questions about pricing or need more information? Contact Jay Ford (jford@bcr.org) at BCR.


Read more >>

Oxford University Press Introduces K-12 Bundling; Renewals Due

Oxford University Press is offering K-12 libraries the opportunity to save while bundling up to eight of their most popular products. Don't delay, however. Renew before June 1 to take advantage of the extraordinary wealth of information provided by OUP's family of online databases.

The BCR subscription period for all OUP products is July 1 through June 30. New subscribers are welcome. Sign up for a free trial to learn more.

In addition, BCR has improved its order form. Investigate the collapsed product sections that make the completion of the order form much easier and faster. This helpful navigation tool should improve the online ordering experience.

Visit the BCR Oxford University Press Web pages for descriptions, pricing and additional information. Watch for new products soon to be added to OUP's collection and offered to BCR members.


Read more >>

BCR Launches NetLibrary Shared eAudiobook Collection

BCR is launching a new NetLibrary eAudiobook Shared Collection this spring. A complete title list and pricing to participate in the collection is available on the BCR Web site. Please complete the sign-up form, also on the Web site, by June 15.

The BCR Shared eAudiobook Collection includes 200 titles from publishers such as Random House, Books on Tape, Listen and Live, Listening Library and Blackstone Audio. Among the mixture of fiction, non-fiction and some children's titles, you'll find titles from best-selling authors, including Robert B. Parker, Sue Grafton, Jonathan Kellerman, Alice Munro and Dean R. Koontz. The collection includes "My Life in France" by Julia Child and "Life After Death: The Burden of Proof" by Deepak Chopra, as well as two titles from the popular "Artemis Fowl" series.

Note: The BCR Shared eAudiobook Collection is different from other shared e-book collections as this collection will require a contribution each year that the library wishes to access the collection. The initial collection will consist of the 200 titles in the list linked to above, and new content or additional titles will be added to the collection on a regular basis (bi-annually). Annually, libraries will need to contribute funds at their appropriate level in order to continue to access the collection.


Read more >>

BCR Board Elects Officers for New Year

The BCR Board of Trustees elected officers for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008) at its May meeting.

Greg Cotton, BCR at-large trustee from Cole Library, Cornell College, Iowa, will serve as Board president next year, while Idaho State Librarian Ann Joslin will take on the duties of vice president. In addition to officiating at Board meetings, the two will serve on the BCR Executive Committee. Other Board members newly elected to the Executive Committee are:

  • John Pollitz, BCR at-large trustee from Oregon State University Libraries
  • Gina Millsap, BCR public libraries trustee from Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
  • Iowa State Librarian Mary Wegner

Regular Board meetings have been scheduled for September 14, 2007; February 22, 2008; and May 16, 2008. For the second quarter meeting, rather than the full Board, the Executive Committee will gather at BCR's Aurora, Colorado, offices on December 6, 2007, with the rest of the Board joining in via conference call for a couple of hours discussion.


Read more >>

OCLC Enhancements to Z39.50 and Connexion Browser Institution Records

OCLC plans to install enhancements to its Z39.50 Cataloging services and Connexion browser on Sunday, May 20. A complete review of the changes is detailed here.

Institution Records - General Information — As part of combining with RLG, OCLC is adding Connexion and Z39.50 Cataloging functionality that supports the RLG concept known as clustering. OCLC is continuing with the master record concept, but is adding the ability to link institution records to the master record. Institution records (IRs) contain additional cataloging data, such as local call numbers, holdings locations within the institution or local or copy-specific notes. Unique information in institution records is indexed. When searching WorldCat, you can choose to search IRs as well as master records.

IRs are being loaded for migrating RLG libraries that requested this in their migration survey response. The source of these records is either the RLG Union Catalog or libraries' local systems. For more information on RLG Union Catalog migration projects, please see www.oclc.org/community/rlg/rlg_master_schedule_external.pdf and Status: RLG Union Catalog Integration into WorldCat. IRs are assigned OCLC numbers. The OCLC number of the master record to which the IR is linked is system supplied in the 079 field of the IR.

Note: Connexion browser access to institution record indexing will be available mid-June. Connexion client support for IRs is planned for late June as part of client version 2.00. Visit www.oclc.org/connexion/interface/client/enhancements/future.htm for more information about client version 2.00.

Connexion Browser Institution Records Enhancements Searching — All OCLC cataloging authorizations are able to display IRs attached to master records. The default is to search WorldCat indexes. For Connexion browser, you may set an option on the search screen to Include indexes WorldCat and IR, which searches WorldCat master record and IR indexes together. Unique data in IRs is indexed using all existing bibliographic record indexes, as well as four new indexes: Action note, General call number, IR control number, and system control number. (NOTE: although you will be able to select this option to include IR indexes in your searches, these indexes will not be available for searching until mid-June. Even though you cannot search for the unique data in IRs until mid-June, you can search the master record and view attached IRs.)

Search Results — Search results retrieve the master record. An indication of linked IRs for your institution, and/or for other libraries, is shown on master records. For example ZMY Holdings/IR/LHR - 37 other holdings; 34 other IRs, indicates that, if your OCLC symbol is ZMY, you have contributed IR record(s) for this master record and also have local holdings record(s) (LHRs) attached. In addition, 34 more IRs contributed by other libraries are attached, and there are 37 additional holdings on the master record.

  • You can select an option on the search screen to Show Institution Record if Single Record Found. If this option is set, Connexion will display your library's institution record(s) when a single master record is found.
  • WorldCat search brief and truncated list results provide an IR link in the left column if your library has IRs attached. Clicking on the IR link takes you directly to your library's IR(s). In the holdings portion of the brief list results, an Other IR link takes you to the IRs for all libraries.
  • View IRs linked to the displayed WorldCat record by selecting View > Display Institution Records. Then choose to display all institution records or limit your display by specific symbol.
  • If more than one IR is attached to a WorldCat record, you will see the institution record list display, which provides information about each IR attached to the master record, including the OCLC symbol for the owning institution. Hovering over the data in several columns of this display provides fuller information from the corresponding fields in the IR.

Creating and Editing IRs — Only authorized* libraries can create and maintain institution records. Libraries not authorized for IRs will see institution records in Display mode. This is also true if you are authorized, but viewing another institution's IRs. Authorized libraries can chose which cataloging authorizations at their institution have IR capabilities. A cataloging authorization with IR capabilities can:

  • Add new institution records to existing master records.
  • Add IRs at the same time you add a new master record.
  • Edit and replace existing IRs.
  • Delete IRs.
  • Move IRs to a different master record.

To check if your authorization is profiled for IR creation and maintenance, go to General > Admin Options >User Information, then check to see if the value for Profiled for Institution Records is Yes or No.

*All migrating RLG libraries that indicated they want institution record support in their migration survey responses are authorized to create and maintain institution records. Other cataloging members (i.e., non-RLG migrating libraries) will be able to order institution record creation and maintenance beginning in July. IR support is provided under a new annual institution record subscription that will be billed either annually or monthly using two new product codes.

Exporting and Deriving — All OCLC cataloging authorizations can export IRs, as well as derive new master or constant data records from institution records.

Validation Options — For Connexion browser, the current Set Holdings Validation Level None is renamed Structure to more accurately reflect the minimal checking that takes place. Additionally, a new Add or Replace Validation Level option is provided for Institution Records.

Documentation and Training — Connexion browser help and online documentation is being updated to include information about these changes.

Searching WorldCat Indexes is scheduled to be updated in the future to incorporate institution record indexing.

A new tutorial, OCLC Connexion browser: Institution records, will be available on the Connexion training web site.

Technical Bulletin 254: OCLC-MARC Format Update 2007 and Institution Records to Accommodate the RLG Union Catalog describes MARC bibliographic format changes to make possible the integration of RLG Union Catalog bibliographic records into WorldCat at both the master record level and at the institution record level.

OCLC Z39.50 Cataloging Enhancement for Institution Records

  • Z39.50 Cataloging WorldCat searches will always return master records, and a separate search will be necessary to retrieve IRs linked to this master.
  • 952 Fields — 952 fields are being added to Master Records and Institution Records to provide a mechanism to identify the presence of linked Institution Records, as well as record control numbers and other information pertaining to linked Institution Records.
    • The 952 fields will display to all Z39.50 Cataloging users. If there are no Institution Records attached to the master record, no 952 fields will appear.
    • The first 952 field contains the information for the Master Record. The subsequent 952 fields contain the information for the Institution Records that are associated with that master record. 952 fields are in order by record control number.
    • The 952 field contains information specific to each of the records. This will help you determine which Institution Record you need for cataloging. This information is very similar to the Institution Record list display in Connexion.
  • Detailed documentation about Z39.50 Cataloging and Institution Records will be added to the OCLC Web site.
  • Searching the Institution Record Database Institution Records will be in a separate database. To search the Institution Record database, you will need to configure your client to access database name: OCLCInstitutionRecords

The following indexes are available in the Z39.50 Cataloging Institution Record database:

  • Institution Record Control Number — Use Attribute 12 with Structure Attribute word or phrase. Indexes the 001 field.
  • System Control Number — Use Attribute 5028 with Structure Attribute phrase. Indexes the 035 subfield a.
  • Master Record Control Number — Use Attribute 9911 with Structure Attribute word. This will list all the Institution Records associated with a particular master record.
  • Holding Institution — Use Attribute 56 with Structure Attribute word. Search by OCLC institution symbol. Indexes the holdings information.

Setting Holdings — If you have implemented the Extended Services Definition you can set holdings on any institution record if you are profiled for institution records. Note: The holdings will be attached to the master record.

To set holdings while you are in the Institution Record database your client must be configured to use database name: OCLCInstitutionRecords. For information see the Extended Service Definition.

Control Numbers — The master record control number is in the 001 field and the 035 field in the master record. In an Institution Record, the master record number is in the 079 field. The 001 field and the 035 field in an Institution Record contain the control number for the Institution Record.

See also Technical Bulletin 254: OCLC MARC Format Update 2007 and Institution Records to Accommodate the RLG Union Catalog for details.


Read more >>

OCLC Connexion Browser Institution Records Tutorial Available

On May 20, Institution Record functionality is being added to the Connexion browser, OCLC's Web-based cataloging interface. A free Connexion browser Institution Records tutorial is now available on the OCLC Connexion Browser Tutorials Web page.

The tutorial, Institutional Records, will help you learn how to create, edit, move and delete institution records (records that are linked to OCLC WorldCat master records and contain additional cataloging records). The tutorial also shows how to derive IRs from bibliographic records and how to search for existing institution records.

This is a flash-based tutorial, and runs abut 22 minutes. System requirements for flash-based tutorials are:

  • Macromedia Flash Player. Download the latest version.
  • Best viewed in 1024x768 screen resolution.
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher.
  • Firefox 1.0 or higher; Netscape 7.x or higher.
  • Pop-up blockers disabled.

For other browsers, check the list of system requirements on the Macromedia Web site.

Alternatively, you can access this tutorial directly.

Please contact Linda Gonzalez (lgonzale@bcr.org) at BCR with any questions or problems.


Read more >>

OCLC WebDewey Quarterly Install Scheduled

The quarterly update for Dewey Services content in OCLC Connexion is scheduled to occur on May 20. This release updates the DDC 22 and Abridged 14 databases in WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey respectively.

These database updates contain the latest changes to the DDC, including new editorially mapped LCSH including up to Weekly List no. 15 (2007) and monthly postings (new and changed entries) for February, March and April.

WebDewey is a Web-based version of the enhanced DDC 22 database. This release includes:

  • All updates to Dewey Decimal Classification, Edition 22, through April (corrections, new developments, new built numbers and additional electronic index terms).
  • Thousands of Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) that have been statistically mapped to Dewey numbers from records in WorldCat and intellectually mapped by DDC editors (through LCSH Weekly List no. 15, 2007).
  • Thousands of Relative Index terms and built numbers not available in print.
  • Links from mapped LCSH to the LCSH authority records.
  • Selected mappings from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).

Abridged WebDewey is a Web-based version of the enhanced Abridged 14 database. This May release includes:

  • All content from Abridged Edition 14, through April.
  • LCSH that have been intellectually mapped to Dewey headings by DDC editors, including mappings to Abridged Edition 13 numbers from the OCLC publication, Subject Headings for Children.
  • Links from mapped LCSH to the LCSH authority records.
  • Mappings between abridged Dewey numbers and the 2005 update to the 18th edition of H.W. Wilson's Sears List of Subject Headings.

Keyboard Shortcuts — OCLC Connexion contains a number of keyboard shortcuts. You can get to the Dewey Services tab in OCLC Connexion with the shortcut, Alt + D.

A WebDewey tutorial is available, along with details about WebDewey enhancements. The next quarterly update is scheduled for August.


Read more >>

May 17, 2007

OCLC Electronic MARC Subscription Service Files Now Available

OCLC MARC Subscription files delayed because of OCLC system maintenance on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, are now available. This includes files retrieved by users using either FTP (EDX) or the Product Services Web as well as those files for CatExpress members who have chosen the next-day record delivery option.

OCLC apologizes for any inconvenience this delay has caused its member libraries.

Please contact Linda Gonzalez or Bethany Levrault at BCR with any questions or problems.


Read more >>

May 15, 2007

OCLC Electronic MARC Subscription Service Maintenance

OCLC will be performing system maintenance on Tuesday, May 15, 2007. OCLC MARC Subscription files normally available between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. Eastern Time will be delayed on that day. This affects files retrieved by users using either FTP (EDX) or Product Services Web, including those files for CatExpress members who have chosen the next-day record delivery option. OCLC will provide an update once the files have been made available and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause member libraries.


Read more >>

May 14, 2007

BCR Trustees, OCLC Members Council Delegate Elected

BCR member libraries elected four individuals to the BCR Board of Trustees and one delegate to represent BCR on the OCLC Members Council. The 2007-2008 Board of Trustees becomes official July 1, the beginning of BCR's fiscal year, although the Board will not meet until September.

BCR's newly elected trustees are:

  • Special Libraries trustee — Ann Marie Clark, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Washington)
  • Schools & Processing Centers trustee — Nancy White, Academy School District 20, (Colorado)
  • At-large trustee — Greg Cotton, Cornell College, (Iowa)
  • At-large trustee — Kate Gordon, University of Alaska Anchorage (Alaska)

Sheryl Taylor, Dordt College (Iowa), was elected as one of three BCR delegates to the OCLC Members Council. She joins James LaRue, Douglas County Libraries (Colorado), and Claudia Thornton Frazer, Drake University (Iowa), in representing BCR member libraries on OCLC Members Council.

The trustees were elected for two-year terms, while Taylor, as OCLC Members Council delegate, was elected for a three-year term.


Read more >>

OCLC Technical Bulletin 254 Available

Technical Bulletin 254, OCLC-MARC Format Update 2007 and Institution Records to Accommodate the RLG Union Catalog, is now available on the OCLC Web site.

Please note that a PDF version is available from this site via a link on the left hand side of the Web page, above the list of contents.

Technical Bulletin 254 covers the following topics:

  • The OCLC-MARC format update, including new and changed fields, subfields and MARC codes from the MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data Update 6 (October 2005) and MARC Code List Technical Notices.
  • The implementation of institution records to integrate the RLG Union Catalog into OCLC WorldCat.

For more information, contact BCR's Linda Gonzalez at lgonzale@bcr.org.

Read more >>

WorldCat Resource Sharing Update: Deflection Enhancement

On May 13, OCLC added E-audio Books as an option for deflection by format. This enhancement allows lending libraries to deflect ILL borrowing requests for electronic audio books as indicated by a leader value (I or j) when the material type is url and no 300 $c is present in the record. Deflection policies are created in the Policies Directory (illpolicies.oclc.org/).

The new option is located in the Policies tab of the Unit information record. On the Deflections sub-tab, users will now find E-Audio Book as a Format option.


Read more >>

New! Online, Live Tutoring Service Available from BCR

BCR now offers members consortial pricing to student homework online tutoring through an agreement with Brainfuse. Brainfuse HelpNow targets students in grades 3-12, covering the core subject areas of math, science, social studies and English/language arts.

Brainfuse is bringing its online, live tutoring and writing assistance program to libraries after successfully having focused the product on schools and home tutoring use for several years. Some features of HelpNow include having Spanish-speaking tutors always available to users. Staff training and community outreach assistance, which includes promotional materials, also are part of the service Brainfuse offers with the HelpNow product to its subscribers.

Learn more about the possibilities and facets of this service to see if Brainfuse can answer a need for the students in your community. Check out Brainfuse HelpNow on BCR's Web site at http://www.bcr.org/reference/brainfuse/index.html.


Read more >>

Special Pricing Offer — HeritageQuest Online, Ancestry Library Edition

BCR announces special pricing from ProQuest CSA for ProQuest's genealogy products — Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest Online. Now through June 30, public libraries serving populations less than 50,000 are eligible for both products for $1,541 (12-month subscription fee). Special pricing also is available for existing HeritageQuest Online customers that would like to add Ancestry Library Edition. Public libraries serving a population of 50,000 or less can add Ancestry Library Edition for $869.

More Americans than ever want to learn about their family histories. And the public library is where many people first turn when they want to investigate their roots. It's easy to create a genealogy center for your community's families with Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest Online.

Contact BCR's Jay Ford (jford@bcr.org).


Read more >>

New Name for PsycINFO 1887 on OCLC FirstSearch

PsycINFO 1887 has changed its name to PsycINFO, and on May 13 the name change was implemented on the OCLC FirstSearch service. The FirstSearch Web short name PsycINFO_1887 has been changed to PsycINFO.

Z39.50 sites that use the short name psi3 for this database will not need to make any changes to their implementations for continued access to this database. Only Z39.50 sites that use the entire database name must replace PsycINFO_1887 with either PsycINFO or psi3 for continued access.

(If your Z39.50 access requires you to continue using the longer database name, you will need to change the name in your files after May 13, the scheduled date for database name change. Changing access to the short name psi3 can occur at any time, as this name remained active through the scheduled May 13 change in the Web interface.)

Libraries that use the automatic logon capability through either IP-address recognition or the OCLC WebScript CGI application to access FirstSearch will not need to make any changes to their URLs or scripts. OCLC will take care of the name change by creating an alias for the database name.


Read more >>

BCR to Discontinue Certain Services

Over the past few months BCR has undertaken a needs assessment of its members. During this process BCR evaluated the suite of products and services offered to libraries with a variety of measures including demand, volume, etc. In order to effectively serve all members with limited resources, as well as adjust to the changing library landscape and the emergent needs of libraries, BCR is making some changes. As an outcome of this process, BCR has decided to discontinue offering the following services listed below effective July 1.

  • Document delivery services
    • ProQuest
    • CISTI
    • BLDSC
  • Tape processing
    • LSSI
    • Backstage
    • Marcive
  • Custom Cataloging Services
  • Electronic Database Publishing
  • Miscellaneous software
  • Equipment Locks
  • OCLC MindLeaders

Read more >>

Renew/Subscribe Now to BioOne Research Resource

BioOne renewals are underway. BCR's group subscription period runs July 1 through June 30. Through Amigos, a sister library network, BCR members are able to obtain a consortium discount rate of 10 percent for this unique Web-accessible database aggregation of more than 80 high-impact bioscience research journals.

New subscribers are welcome. BioOne’s two collections offer access to interrelated journals focused on the biological, ecological and environmental sciences.

For more information about BioOne, or to access the BioOne order form and pricing, see BCR's Web site at www.bcr.org/reference/bioone/index.html. Questions? Contact BCR's Chris Cook at ccook@bc.org.

Amigos is a strategic partner and the sole distributor of BioOne in the U.S.


Read more >>

May 07, 2007

BCR at Utah Library Association Annual Conference

May 16-18, 2007, is the date for the Utah Annual Library Association Conference, and the Mariott Hotel & Conference Center in Provo is the place. Come meet one of BCR's newest staff members, Gillian Harrison, Marketing & Support manager. Harrison is scheduled to present the BCR program, "Remember the User: Evaluating Technology Products and Services."

Harrison's presentation is scheduled for Friday, May 18, from 9-9:50 a.m. Academic librarians, media or digital librarians, public librarians, school, special and technical services librarians will all benefit from her information-packed discussion about how to keep up with all the technology products and services that are available today. She will emphasize how to make informed and intelligent decisions about which technologies your library needs and how to determine which one is most cost-effective for your library. In addition, she will discuss how the Web has changed the library landscape and ways to reach those patrons who use the library in ways unknown just a few years ago.

Harrison will also be available at the BCR exhibit booth. She is eager to get to know librarians and other information providers from the beautiful state of Utah. Come by booth #26, learn what we have to offer our members and how you can provide the services your library needs at discounted rates. Don't forget to pick up your BCR water bottle while they last!

BCR water bottle

Read more >>

Colorado Academic Library Summit Highlights the New Millennials

Come meet BCR's new emergent technology trainer, Shelly Drumm, at the Colorado Academic Library Summit (CALC), May 31-June 1, Sheraton Denver West, Golden, Colorado. The conference, "Changing Cultures: Collaboration, Social Networking and New Technologies," will focus on how students are changing the way libraries deliver information in the Colorado academic community. Among other relevant presentations, Drumm is scheduled to present "Getting in Touch with the Digital Native."

Drumm's program examines the "digital native" — students who can’t remember a time before the Internet and who are therefore “native speakers” of the language of computers — and how libraries can most effectively deliver the information students want and the guidance they need. Join her on Friday, June 1, 1:45-3 p.m., to discuss podcasts, blogs and more, as well as the time, expertise and energy required of library staff to support these communication venues.

Tables will be set up to share information and literature with conference attendees. Take some time out of your day to visit with the vendors and sponsors of this year's conference. More information on the conference can be found on the CALC conference page on the CLiC (Colorado Library Consortium) Web site.


Read more >>

Don't Forget: LexisNexis and McGraw-Hill Renewal Period Ending

Mid-May is the renewal deadline for McGraw-Hill AccessScience and LexisNexis subscriptions. Descriptions of the databases and the online renewal form can be found on the BCR Web site. Contact BCR's Karen Graham (kgraham@bcr.org) for additional information.

Renew your BCR subscription to McGraw-Hill's AccessScience now to ensure continued access. Please remember the renewal deadline for BCR's annual group subscriptions for the McGraw-Hill AccessScience database is May 14.

It's also time to renew your BCR LexisNexis subscription. To ensure continued access, the renewal deadline for BCR's annual group subscriptions for all LexisNexis databases is May 15.

New subscribers also are invited to sign up for the databases during BCR's annual enrollment period.


Read more >>

BCR To Offer CQ Global Researcher

BCR soon will be adding a new product to its current Congressional Quarterly (CQ) family of databases. CQ Global Researcher is an online resource modeled after the highly acclaimed CQ Researcher. CQ Global Researcher presents single-topic reports that hone in on current crises and events — in this case on an international level — in a way at once digestible and substantial.

Popular sections help to present a multitude of international viewpoints on vital current issues and include:

  • Current Situation
  • Pro/Con
  • Voices from Abroad

Want to learn more about this new resource? Contact BCR's Jay Ford (jford@bcr.org).


Read more >>

NetLibrary eBook of the Month Focuses on Investing

Don't miss NetLibrary's May eBook of the Month, The Little Book of Common Sense Investing, by John C. Bogle, founder of the Vanguard Group, Inc. This new offering gives your patrons tips on how to make investing a winner's game.

Mr. Bogle gives the reader practical investment advice, including guidance on how to buy and hold all of the nation's publicly held businesses at a very low cost. Bogle contends that winning investments come from common sense, plus patience and discipline. Readers will learn about taxes, inflation and investment costs as well as other practical advice about investing. Investment fads and fashions are also discussed. Mr. Bogle's strategy has made the Vanguard Group's clients wealthy and offers his tips to help your patrons in their pursuit of a return on their investment.

The eBook of the Month showcases new and noteworthy titles available from NetLibrary. Each month, NetLibrary selects a new featured title and provides free, unlimited access through the authenticated homepages of more than 13,000 public, academic and special libraries. NetLibrary has developed a tool kit of free promotional materials that can be downloaded and personalized for your library.

For more information about eBooks, please contact BCR's Gillian Harrison at gharriso@bcr.org.


Read more >>

WorldCat xISBN Service Available for Commercial Applications

Starting May 7, an expanded version of the OCLC WorldCat xISBN service that accommodates the needs of high-volume and commercial users will be available. The OCLC WorldCat xISBN Web sis a machine-to-machine Web service that supplies International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) associated with an individual intellectual work represented in the WorldCat database.

xISBN, which began as an OCLC Research project and has been available at no charge for individual, non-commercial use since February 2007, takes its information from WorldCat, the world’s richest database for discovery of items held in libraries. The service helps a user find additional resources when any ISBN assigned to any printing or edition of the work is known. Users submit an ISBN to the service and receive a list of related ISBNs and selected metadata.

ISBNs are related to each other using librarian-cataloged bibliographic records in WorldCat. These WorldCat records have had an algorithm applied that implements the FRBR conceptual model for information objects, which brings multiple versions of a source work together under one record. The FRBR model keeps WorldCat users from having to browse numerous records that represent many different manifestations of a book — such as different printings, hardcover or paperback editions, audiobooks or film versions.

xISBN is ideal for Web-enabled search applications, such as library catalogs and online booksellers. Use xISBN to:

  • Help users of an online bookseller first determine if the book is available at their local library.
  • Confirm that no alternative versions of a work are available before a library sends an interlibrary loan request.
  • Use a single search to check holdings of all editions of a work before making a selection for acquisition.

More information about the xISBN service, including subscription pricing and an order form, is available at the OCLC WorldCat Web site. Please send an e-mail to xisbn-support@oclc.org for additional details about the service.


Read more >>

May 03, 2007

PromptCat and NetLibrary MARC Records — EDX Notification Changes

If your library receives OCLC MARC records via EDX (Electronic Data Exchange, or ftp) from the PromptCat service or the new WorldCat Cataloging Partners service, or if you receive MARC records for your NetLibrary titles, the Subject: line and the From: address of the email notification message is changing.

Beginning May 9, 2007, these messages will come from MARCRECORDS@OCLC.ORG. The subject line of the message will be: OCLC MARC Record File Notification.

If you receive records for both PromptCat and NetLibrary, you will receive separate email notification messages with the From: address and Subject: line as shown above. The record file names are included in the body of the message. Files with records for NetLibrary titles contain the symbol N$T in the file name. If N$T in not part of the file name, the file contains records output by OCLC's PromptCat service.

Questions? Contact BCR's Linda Gonzalez (lgonzale@bcr.org).


Read more >>

This page is powered by Blogger.
Podcasts Video
Podcasts
RSS Feed RSS Feed
Envelope Subscribe to Newsletter
people. action. noise. MyBCR Portal Access