January/February 2004 Page 2 

OCLC PRODUCT OF THE MONTH : PATHFINDERS

CREATE ONLINE SUBJECT BIBLIOGRAPHIES FOR YOUR PATRONS

A Pathfinder is a web page listing resources, electronic and otherwise, available from your library or on the World Wide Web (WWW). Pathfinders are subject oriented lists that showcase your highest quality resources to help users find good material on all sorts of subjects. You may have heard pathfinders referred to as subject gateways or webliographies. A Pathfinder may contain a library-supplied graphic, a page title, a table of contents to sections of the page, and web links.

Connexion provides the tools to help libraries create and manage Pathfinders and to facilitate collaboration on pathfinder development and maintenance. OCLC members with full cataloging authorization can access the database of Pathfinders and the toolset.

The job of creating these lists is often shared among librarians in collection development and reference services, and with other subject specialists. These lists have transferred very quickly and naturally to the online environment. At this time, almost all library web sites include pages identifying collections of high-quality resources. In most cases, the content is organized by topic. In many cases, the lists include both electronic and other types of library materials.

Pathfinders represent a great opportunity for cooperation between public service staff and cataloging staff. By searching WorldCat for high-quality Internet sites selected and cataloged by librarians from around the world, public services staff are able to quickly and easily compile guides to Internet resources with no knowledge of web markup languages. Perhaps, most useful, from the individual librarian's point of view, is the function of citing additional resources such as books, journals, audio/visual materials, etc., in a Pathfinder. By adding "unique" resources from a library's own collection to a Pathfinder, the Pathfinder can be a gateway to both the Internet at large and the materials on our own shelves. The ability to embed searches in a Pathfinder can help the creator of the Pathfinder keep abreast of new Internet resources in their areas of interest.

OCLC Pathfinders provide flexibility and many editing options, laid out so that editing is made easy for you. Pathfinders embed links to existing OCLC electronic resource records and the annotated information contained in them to create a list in the page. Adding links and information, customizing appearance and creating and applying constant data records are all editing features provided for you.

You can create a new Pathfinder from an existing web page by supplying the URL of the page, or you can use a blank editing template to create a Pathfinder from scratch, or you can find a Pathfinder with characteristics you want to use-subject, structure, etc.-and make a copy to use as the basis for your own Pathfinder.

You have the choice of exporting your Pathfinder as an HTML file to be placed on your local server or storing the Pathfinder at OCLC and using the generated link to it.

Exporting the pathfinder link enables embedded searches to run each time a user visits the Pathfinder and allows for automatic updating of Pathfinder URLs linked to bibliographic records. When you embed dynamic searches in your Pathfinder, you provide your users with up-to-date lists of information. The search is performed each time the Pathfinder page is accessed by a user, showing the latest results of the search.

To see an overview of Pathfinders and learn how to create and work with them, take the free online tutorial, Using Enhanced Pathfinders: An OCLC Tutorial, at <http://www.oclc.org/support/training/connexion/pathfinders/default.htm>.

Pathfinder documentation is available at <http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/connexion/browser/default.htm#8>.

Please feel free to email Christa Burns, NEBASE OCLC Member Services Coordinator, if you have any questions or phone 402-471-3107 or 800-307-2665.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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OCLC MEMBERS COUNCIL STARTS A NEW YEAR

At the first of three 2003-2004 meetings, OCLC Members Council delegates discussed innovative ways to meet users' expectations, new technologies to deliver new services, new models for collaboration, and planning for the future by closely studying the information environment.

"Libraries should seek new solutions to the problems of the current era," said Bob Seal, University Librarian, Mary Couts Burnett Library, Texas Christian University, and OCLC Members Council President. "No matter what type of library you work in, you and your colleagues face tremendous challenges such as reduced or flat budgets, rapid technological change, increased expectations and demands by patrons. Our users have a tremendous number of information options these days, only one of which is libraries. We are challenged to refocus our energies, listen to and observe our patrons, and think in new ways if we wish to survive. This Members Council program is designed to help us explore some new ways of thinking."

Read the full story here - <http://www5.oclc.org/downloads/design/abstracts/11102003/memberscouncil.htm>.

Presentations and minutes from the October 2003 Members Council meeting are now available on the OCLC Web site. In addition, streaming video is available for viewing and features the reports of Members Council President Bob Seal, Library and Information Technology Consultant Joan Frye Williams, and OCLC President and Chief Executive Officer Jay Jordan.

Go to <http://www.oclc.org/memberscouncil/meetings/2004/> for the meeting presentations, minutes, and video.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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OCLC WEB INFORMATION SESSIONS

OCLC is offering free Web information sessions to both OCLC member and nonmember libraries. The sessions will include a live presentation that you will access from your own computer via the web, with audio available via a conference call. You will be able to submit questions you have at any time during the presentation. Registration information and complete descriptions of the sessions can be found on the OCLC web site: <http://www.oclc.org/education/events/series/series2.htm>.

The following sessions are currently scheduled (all times are Central Standard Time)

CONTENTdm:Managing Your Digital Library
January 27 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
February 10 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
NOTE: Register for this session only at <http://www.oclc.org/education/events/Managing_Your_Digita.htm>


QuestionPoint:Make Digital Reference a Reality for Your Library
January 28 12:00 -1:00 p.m.

OCLC Custom Cataloging: Learn How To Give Your Patrons Improved Access To Your Entire Collection
January 22 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

OCLC ILLiad: Learn how you can improve your library's ILL efficiency with OCLC ILLiad
January 28 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

OCLC MARC Record Service (OCLC MARS(r)): Enhance Your Collection's Accessibility
January 22 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Automated Collection Assessment and Analysis Service (OCLC ACAS) Learn how collection analysis can help your library
January 22 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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WORLDCAT AND OCLC FIRSTSEARCH SERVICE NEWS YOU CAN USE

FIRSTSEARCH CONTENT

RIPM Retrospective Index to Music Periodicals Database Now Available on FirstSearch
OCLC added the RIPM Retrospective Index to Music Periodicals database to the FirstSearch service in November 2003. The RIPM database provides international coverage of the music periodical literature published from the late 18th to the early 20th centuries. RIPM complements the RILM Abstracts of Music Literature database on FirstSearch.

OCLC Base Package on FirstSearch enhanced with CLASE/PERIÓDICA database
OCLC added the CLASE/PERIÓDICA database to the OCLC Base Package on FirstSearch on November 2, 2003. This database is available to all existing subscribers of the OCLC Base Package, and is also available as a standalone database that libraries can access on a subscription or per-search basis.

Twelve Databases Available for Inbound Linking to Full Text
Users whose libraries have implemented SFX Open URL systems are now able to link to the full text of articles in 12 FirstSearch databases from other partner information services, provided they are licensed to do so. Libraries that implement this feature will optimize their investments in the OCLC FirstSearch service and increase overall user satisfaction with the FirstSearch databases they provide access to.

OCLC publishes title lists to enable inbound linking to full text within the ABI/INFORM, ATLA Religion, ATLA Serials, Business & Industry, Business and Management Practices, Business Dateline, Contemporary Women's Issues, Electronic Collections Online, Health and Wellness Information, Periodical Abstracts, PsycARTICLES and Wilson Select Plus databases.

102 Journals Added to OCLC FirstSearch Electronic Collections Online
102 new journals from 18 publishers were added to OCLC FirstSearch Electronic Collections Online, bringing the online total to 4,803 journals available. The new titles and their ISSNs are available at <http://www2.oclc.org/oclc/fseco/index.asp>.

Discounts Available on H. W. Wilson Company's Databases Through January 31
As announced earlier, the H.W. Wilson Company withdrew its permission to OCLC to offer all but one of its databases on a per-search basis via FirstSearch. This change was made on December 17, 2003 and affected all the Wilson databases currently on FirstSearch, except for Wilson Select Plus and its full text, which continues to be available via per-search.

Per-search libraries that switch to subscriptions to the above Wilson databases will receive a 20% discount from the list price through January 31. Libraries that take advantage of the 20% discount will have a price increase of only 10% for their next renewal.

CINAHL Database Discontinued
Following its recent acquisition of CINAHL Information Systems, EBSCO informed OCLC of its intention to terminate its contract to distribute the CINAHL database on OCLC FirstSearch. Consequently, per-search access to the CINAHL database was discontinued effective Wednesday, December 10, 2003. All current subscriptions will be honored until their expiration date, but will not be renewed.

MEDLINE, Health and Wellness Information, and the MDXHealth Digest databases on FirstSearch also provide health, nursing and wellness information.

FirstSearch Now Links to Full Text in 3 Additional JSTOR Collections
OCLC continues to pursue initiatives to maximize the investments libraries make in information resources from OCLC and partner information services. FirstSearch users can now link from citations in FirstSearch databases to full text in three additional collections provided by JSTOR - Arts & Sciences III, Mathematics & Statistics, and Music. Librarians at these institutions can implement these links by turning on access to the additional JSTOR collections in the FirstSearch administrative module.

OPEN WORLDCAT PILOT
Enhancements to Open WorldCat Pilot Interface
The following functionality was added to the Open WorldCat pilot interface in December 2003. These changes are based on user requests and research findings.

• IP-authenticated fulfillment: When users originate from known FirstSearch IP addresses, the Open WorldCat pilot interface will display the same fulfillment options found in FirstSearch, including ILL, openURL, and links to booksellers.
  
• Bibliographic data present in OPAC frame: When users access a library OPAC, framed within the Open WorldCat pilot interface, the frame will continue to display data including title, author, and standard number. Being able to cut and paste this information will make it easier to perform a search in the library's catalog.
  
• Expanded holdings display radius: When users enter library locator information such as ZIP/postal code, state, province or country, successive radii searched include 20 kilometers (12 miles), 50 kilometers (31 miles) and 100 kilometers (62 miles).
  
• New library types displayed: In addition to Academic, Public and School, other types will include State/Provincial, Regional Government, Law, Medical, Corporate, Theological, Government/Federal, Art/Music/History, and Organization.

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1. You can now set a browser "cookie" to remember your authorization and password for faster direct logon.
2. You can make a request to change your ILL supplier status (aka "go lower case") from within the Policies Directory.

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OCLC ILL POLICIES DIRECTORY PRIVACY ENHANCEMENT

On December 21, 2003 OCLC enhanced the privacy policy of the ILL Policies Directory. Users of the Directory are now required to accept new legal terms to access the Directory. The primary change in legal terms allows OCLC to share data in the Directory with ILL vendors to test the ability to share data with alternative ILL software. This testing will lead to a greater ability to share information between ILL software programs, making resource sharing more accurate in the future.

In order to not share the data contained in existing units, libraries must edit each individual unit to indicate that they are not willing to share. The default is for data contained in existing units to share data only with all authorized users. When creating new units, libraries will be required to choose whether they would like to share information only with OCLC Members or with all authorized users.

For additional information about the new privacy policy for the ILL Policies Directory, email Christa Burns, OCLC Member Services Coordinator for NEBASE or phone 402-471-3107 or 800-307-2665. You may also contact OCLC's Customer Service Dept. at 800-848-5800 or <support@oclc.org>.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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CHECK YOUR CATEXPRESS MONTHLY TRANSACTION REPORTS

Are you wondering how many titles you have left in your CatExpress subscription? Do you need accurate statistics on your cataloging activity? The OCLC CatExpress Monthly Transaction Reports have what you need.

Every month OCLC mounts Monthly Transaction Reports detailing your library's CatExpress cataloging activity on the Product Services Web. The Reports list transactions for the current month's activity and year-to-date activity. Year-to-date activity is for the current subscription year - July 1, 2003-June 30, 2004. Reports remain available for 90 days. There is no extra cost to access the Reports. They are included as part of your CatExpress subscription.

Why do you need to know how much of your CatExpress subscription you have used? Libraries who exceed their subscription limit may be charged $.82 for each record over the limit. If you monitor your usage and don't go over your subscription limit, you can avoid having to pay any extra charges at the end of the subscription year.

For detailed information about the Monthly Transaction Reports and instructions on how to use them, see the NEBASE CatExpress web site at </netserv/nebase/catxreports.html>.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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NEW QUICK REFERENCE FOR CATEXPRESS AVAILABLE

OCLC's newest quick reference guide, the OCLC CatExpress Quick Reference, is now available in print. It is also available on the Web in HTML and PDF formats at <http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/catexpress/using/quickref/>.

This quick reference guide covers all the basic functions of OCLC's CatExpress system:

• Searching
  
• Editing Records
  
• Creating Labels
  
• Record Delivery
  
• Transaction Reports
  
• Support
  

You may request a no-charge copy of this quick reference by sending an e-mail to <orders@oclc.org>. If you are requesting a copy, please ask for:

REF1093 OCLC CatExpress Quick Reference.

For a complete list of quick reference guides available from OCLC, please send an e-mail to: <peter_insabella@oclc.org>.

Please direct any questions or comments about OCLC documentation to:

Peter Insabella
Product Documentation Content Dept.
OCLC, Inc.
(614) 764-4330
peter_insabella@oclc.org

[OCLC]

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JOIN THE WEBDEWEY AND ABRIDGED WEBDEWEY GROUP PURCHASE

Experience the Power of Dewey on the Web!

Now you can have Web-based access to an enhanced version of the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) database through WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey. NEBASE is building a new group of WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey users across Nebraska. OCLC is offering a discounted price for users who join the NEBASE WebDewey/Abridged WebDewey group.

The current WebDewey/Abridged WebDewey group subscription year runs from January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004. Libraries may join the WebDewey/Abridged WebDewey group at any time. Midyear subscriptions will be prorated. Orders must be received by the 15th of the month for a start date of the 1st of the following month.

Libraries who wish to subscribe do not have to be members of OCLC. Any library can subscribe - WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey are available to both OCLC member and non-member libraries.

WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey, which correspond to the unabridged and abridged print editions, are updated on a quarterly basis, bringing you ongoing updates implemented by the Dewey editorial team almost as soon as they occur. The Web versions also offer additional electronic functionality not available in the print editions to make your classification work more efficient.

If your collection holds less than 20,000 titles, Abridged WebDewey is for you. It gives you access to an enhanced version of the Abridged Dewey. Abridged WebDewey is now based on the new Abridged Edition 14.

WebDewey has been based on the enhanced DDC 22 database since June 2003.

For more information about web access to the DDC, go to <http://www.oclc.org/dewey/versions/default.htm>.

Joining the NEBASE WebDewey & Abridged WebDewey Group is easy!

If your library is interested in joining the new WebDewey/Abridged WebDewey group, please complete the online Order Form at </netserv/nebase/deweyorder.html>.

If you have any questions about WebDewey, Abridged WebDewey or the NEBASE group, email Christa Burns or phone 402-471-3107, or 800-307-2665.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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MAKING THE CASE FOR OCLC CUSTOM CATALOGING

Learn about OCLC custom cataloging services with this new interactive, multimedia presentation.

Learn how OCLC's custom cataloging solutions can meet your needs and save you money. "Getting to Know OCLC Custom Cataloging Services" gives you a tour of the OCLC custom cataloging facility in Dublin, Ohio and shows you the breadth of the service offerings. These services can solve your toughest cataloging, conversion and authority control challenges and help you optimize access to your collection, manage your resources and provide improved service to your patrons.

View the Custom Cataloging Presentation at <http://www.oclc.org/customcataloging/about/tour/>

Visit the Custom Cataloging Site at <http://www.oclc.org/customcataloging/>

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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OCLC CONNEXION BROWSER TUTORIAL UPDATED

OCLC Training Development staff recently completed revisions to Using OCLC Connexion Browser: An OCLC Tutorial. The tutorial can be viewed on the OCLC Connexion Training page at <http://www.oclc.org/support/training/connexion/>, or from the Connexion Browser documentation page at <http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/connexion/browser/default.htm>.

These revisions to the tutorial incorporate the following recent enhancements:

• A Search History button allows you to view, revise or repeat up to ten of your previous searches.
  
• Retain Search check box added to several search screens.
  
• WorldCat command line search now available from group lists, brief lists, and full records. Toggle Quick Search on and off with the keystroke <Alt + Q> and move to Quick Search box with the keystroke <Alt + period>.
  
• Now when you mouse over an OCLC symbol in the 040 field, the institution name displays.
  
• You can now choose to display hotlinks in MARC tags 760-787 for related records and view these records by clicking on the link.
  
• Connexion can automatically supply data in a linking field derived from another record. Enter the tag information and OCLC control number for the related record. Then choose the function Insert from Cited Record.
  
• Connexion expanded from 5 to 10 the number of authorizations/passwords you can save in your Local Browser Settings and use for automatic logon. And now you can assign a name to each authorization/password combination.
  

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NEW WEB SITE TO SHARE CONNEXION CLIENT MACROS

You can now share Connexion client macros on the OCLC Web site at <http://www.oclc.org/connexion/support/macros.htm>. Submit macros that you have created by selecting Upload Connexion macros, and your submitted macro will be posted to the site to share with others.

Select Download Connexion macros to view macros that have been submitted by others. Currently this page is blank, but you could be the first to send us a macro to post!

The site also includes links to other macro sites. If you have a macro site that you would like to share with others, please e-mail <connexion-macros@oclc.org> and we will add a link to your site.

David Whitehair
Connexion client product manager
OCLC Cataloging and Metadata Services
 

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CONNEXION ENHANCEMENTS INSTALLED AND HELP DOCUMENTATION UPDATED

OCLC completes regular maintenance and enhancement installs for OCLC Connexion. Maintenance installs generally include minor enhancements that do not affect documentation or training, as well as some problem fixes. Details are noted below and are also included in System Update messages in Connexion News.

NOVEMBER INSTALLATION
The OCLC Connexion quarterly enhancement installation for November was successfully installed on November 23, 2003. This installation is primarily for users of Connexion browser, and includes both user requested enhancements, and problem fixes. Please see Connexion News for more details about these changes.

Workflow Enhancements:

• New Command Shortcuts box displays all commands in Edit, Action and View lists in one alphabetic list, and allows you to execute all commands with new keystroke shortcuts.
  
• More search and browse keystrokes implemented, and new record navigation and Active Records shortcuts added.
  
• Default setting for number of records displaying in a WorldCat brief list changed from 10 to 99 records.
  
• In MARC Template view, you can hide the Functions List for a larger editing area.
  
• Disable OK/Cancel messages for final actions and editing actions to avoid responding to pop-up prompts

• Authority File search results now sorted by main entry regardless of the number of records retrieved.
  
• Character masking (wildcard characters, # and ?, respectively) allowed in the second character position, no longer requiring a minimum of 3 characters (e.g., b#nd and b?nd).
  
• Moving the Authority File to Oracle is the next step in OCLC's continuing progress toward a single platform for all cataloging functionality and provides a basis for future enhancements

• Import revised and enhanced to make importing authority and bibliographic records easier, including addition of OCLC-derived records.
  
• Ability to import from a hard disk or network drive, as well as from a URL.
  
• Ability to import non-OCLC records in order to create new OCLC records.
  
• Ability to import and process records from OCLC offline products (Bibliographic Record Notification, PromptCat, etc.)
  
• Lets you add constant data and My Status to records as they are imported to your save file, allowing easy retrieval with save file search options.
  
• To prevent timeout problems when importing large files, the system imports 100 records, and prompts you to continue until file is completed.

• Save records to the bibliographic save file with new "Ready" status for export and label printing.
  
• Then retrieve from save file by searching for the action statuses "Export-Ready" and "Label-Ready".

• To prevent timeout problems, flagged record actions for export, delete, and label file creation now processes a maximum of 100 per action.
  
• Flagged record actions now available for Pathfinders.
  
• New option to export bibliographic records without validation.

• New "Apply CD by Name" command provides a window that lets you type the name of the constant data record to apply and to select whether to apply fixed field, variable fields, or both.
  
• "Select Constant Data" command renamed "Apply CD from List".
  
• You can now flag constant data records and delete multiple records in a single action to save your time.

• Report errors on both bibliographic records and authority records using the new Report Error command
  
• Sends your error reports via email to OCLC's Quality Control Section

• Now allows easy access to a work area dialog box from the bottom of long records so you don't need to scroll up the page to update the work area.

• Contact Support enhancement allows you to copy yourself when requesting information or sending suggestions via the Contact Support feature.
  
• Hot linking of OCLC control numbers expanded to include 936 field, to allow quick retrieval of parallel records.
  
• Search results, and Next and Previous buttons have been restored when deleting records from the Save file.