March/April 2004 Page 2 

OCLC PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: ILL FEE MANAGEMENT

SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH ILL IFM

ILL Fee Management (IFM) reduces your ILL administrative costs by tracking and reconciling charges for both loans and copies through your OCLC invoice. There's no additional software to purchase, and no sign-up forms to complete.

Eliminate costly invoices and check writing to your lending partners. On average, you'll save more than $30 on each request by eliminating individual ILL processing and payments.

ILL Fee Management is activated on a request-by-request basis:

• The Borrower offers to make IFM payment to the Lender by entering a dollar amount and IFM in :MAXCOST:
  
• The Lender accepts the offer by entering the same or lesser dollar amount and IFM in :LENDING CHARGES:
  
• The OCLC system matches these 2 fields and activates ILL Fee Management when the Borrower updates the request to Received.

• IFM library to library borrowing debit-charges your library incurred for borrowing items
  
• IFM library to library lending credit-credits your library receives for supplying items
  
• IFM administrative fee-a small fee for completed borrowing transactions

• IFM Frequently Asked Questions - <http://www.oclc.org/support/questions/ill/ifm/>
  
• IFM documentation - <http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/ill/using/userguide/18/18.htm>
  

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2003 OCLC ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN - TAKE A LOOK AT OCLC'S LATEST REPORT

The 2003 OCLC Environmental Scan: Pattern Recognition, a report to the OCLC Membership identifies issues and trends that are impacting the global library community and the OCLC Cooperative.

The Scan provides a high-level view of the information landscape, intended both to inform and stimulate discussion about future strategic directions. It includes information gleaned from more than 90 interviews with knowledge experts, a review of 250 articles and papers and extensive global research.

The complete report is available electronically in an easily navigable HTML format on the OCLC Web site. The electronic version allows users to print selected sections in PDF format. Print copies are available at a nominal charge of $15 to cover the cost of printing, postage, and distribution. Print copies may be ordered via the OCLC Web site.

View the report for free at <http://www.oclc.org/membership/escan/default.htm>. Order a print copy of the report at <https://www3.oclc.org/membership/escan/default.asp>.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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REPORT FROM OCLC MEMBERS COUNCIL FEBRUARY MEETING

OCLC Members Council met February 8-10 in Dublin, Ohio, to discuss global issues and explore innovative solutions to challenges faced by libraries and librarians worldwide.

Delegates unanimously passed two resolutions: to add a fourth delegate-at-large to the Members Council Executive Committee, and to add a clause to the Guidelines to the OCLC WorldCat Principles of Cooperation
<http://www.oclc.org/worldcat/contribute/guidelines/> to discourage unauthorized use of OCLC-derived records.

Delegates also participated in discussions with international library leaders who offered insight into some of the challenges they face in their libraries.

View the complete report at <http://www5.oclc.org/downloads/design/abstracts/02232004/memberscouncil.htm>.

For more information about the OCLC Members Council go to </netserv/nebase/memberscouncil.html>.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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OCLC QUESTIONPOINT DEMO IN HASTINGS

Would you like to learn more about OCLC's collaborative virtual reference product, QuestionPoint?

Then join Christa Burns on March 25 in Hastings for a demonstration session.

The session will be held at the Hastings College Library on March 25 from 9:00 am-12:00 noon.

QuestionPoint and Cooperative Digital Reference Services
Join Christa as she discusses virtual reference issues and "pointing the way" with QuestionPoint. A collaborative digital reference solution, QuestionPoint supports various types of interaction with patrons; collaboration with local and global colleagues; and management of your overall reference services. The information session will include an overview of trends and issues in virtual reference, plus an introduction to and an interactive demonstration of the QuestionPoint virtual reference service.

To learn more about QuestionPoint, visit the website at <http://www.questionpoint.org/>.

To register for this session, please send an e-mail to Jeannette Powell with your name and institution, or call Jeannette at the Nebraska Library Commission/NEBASE at 402-471-7740 or 800-307-2665.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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• Speed up their searching as the FirstSearch staff view now automatically defaults to search WorldCat
  
• Track ILL requests more easily by receiving the request number once the request has been submitted in the FirstSearch staff view
  
• Improve workflow by printing the request with barcode
  
• Ensure complete and accurate ILL requests by being prompted for errors before producing the ILL request
  
• Improve accuracy of ILL data as information from two additional MARC bibliographic fields (300: Physical Description and 773: Host Item) will now transfer into the Title field of the ILL request.

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FAQ FOR ILL INTEGRATION INTO FIRSTSEARCH

General Information
1. Why is OCLC integrating OCLC ILL into the FirstSearch service?
What will be included in the new resource sharing service?

Integration of OCLC ILL into the FirstSearch service will allow ILL staff to take advantage of many features available in FirstSearch that are not currently available through OCLC ILL. These include:

• Improved searching for materials
  
• Links to local catalogs
  
• Improved access to serials holdings statements
  
• Descriptive content including cover art, excerpts and links to reviews

• Provide local call number and shelf status (through Z39.50) on lending requests
  
• Integrate circulation (NCIP ), e-content, and ILL into a single workflow
  
• Integrate ILL policy information to deflect unfillable requests, increase fill rates, and reduce turnaround time.
  
• Apply library processing options; for example: handling requests differently if they come from faculty versus student populations or recognizing lending relationships between libraries
  
• Support group processing; for example routing requests through group members before sending them to libraries outside the group
  
• Enable patrons to not only place requests through the FirstSearch service (available now), but also to track those requests, saving staff time and decreasing the costs of interlibrary loan

• Search for materials using WorldCat in FirstSearch
  
• Select from search results sorted by number of holdings
  
• Display holdings and enter lender strings
  
• Enter shipping and billing information and borrowing notes
  
• Send requests for those materials through to OCLC ILL

• Subscription pricing is available now. Initial pricing is determined based on past usage with a discount applied based on lending credit history. Future price increases for subscribers will not be tied to usage, so a library can increase use of interlibrary loan, expanding service to users, without worrying about rising costs.
• Transaction-based, a simplified version of the current transaction-based pricing model will be used in the FirstSearch staff view, lending credits will be given. Libraries will be charged for the following:
  • Searching/display holdings
    
  • Producing an ILL request
    
  • ILL Fee Management

• Unlimited ILL services (searching, holdings, produces)
  
• Unlimited use of ILL Fee Management
  
• ILL Management Statistics

• In accordance with ALA's Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States, the greatest reward and incentive for libraries to lend materials is to further cooperation amongst libraries: if you lend to libraries, they'll lend to you. "The Reference and User Services Association, acting for the American Library Association in its adoption of this code recognizes that the sharing of material between libraries is an integral element in the provision of library service and believes it to be in the public interest to encourage such an exchange." More information on the ALA Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States can be found at: <http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/interlibrary.htm>.
  
  
• OCLC will issue and apply lending credits.

• Searching/display holdings
  
• Producing an ILL request
  
• LL Fee Management

• Searching/display holdings
  
• Producing and ILL request
  
• ILL Fee Management

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OCLC-SHARING-L: NEW OCLC RESOURCE SHARING LISTSERV

Keep abreast of what's happening with OCLC's resource sharing system! OCLC is launching a new, broadcast-only listserv to keep users of OCLC ILL informed of upcoming enhancements to OCLC resource sharing. The list will help you take advantage of new capabilities coming in the next 18 months that can streamline your workflow and help you serve your users better.

To subscribe to the new listserv, send the following command to LISTSERV@OCLC.ORG:

SUBSCRIBE OCLC-SHARING-L <first name last name>

Or go to the OCLC Web page at <https://www3.oclc.org/app/listserv/> and subscribe to OCLC-SHARING-L.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

 

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OCLC CATEXPRESS OFFER FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS: 13 MONTHS FOR THE PRICE OF 12

NEBASE is again offering a free trial month of the OCLC CatExpress service to new subscribers. CatExpress provides web-based copy cataloging to small libraries at a low, flat-fee subscription price.

The OCLC CatExpress trial subscription is a no-risk way to see if CatExpress is right for you and your library. Many libraries new to OCLC would like to know what kind of hit rate they will receive with CatExpress. You may also want to know how the records from OCLC can be processed by your local system. The trial option allows you to do real work with CatExpress, before committing to a subscription.

The introductory subscription is for the month of June 2004, and is free. If you do not wish to continue with CatExpress, simply cancel before the end of June. If you do not cancel within that first month, the subscription automatically rolls over to the regular 12 month subscription, which runs from July 2004-June 2005.

NEBASE will be taking orders for CatExpress through May 17. The free trial month will begin on June 1, 2004. If you decide to continue with CatExpress after the free trial month is over, you don't need to do a thing. You will automatically be added to NEBASE's CatExpress Group Subscription. You will only pay for the regular 12 month subscription, receiving 13 months of CatExpress access for the price of 12.

To learn more about CatExpress, and to see the special NEBASE Group Subscription Pricing, go to </netserv/nebase/catx.html>.

To sign up for the CatExpress offer or if you have any questions, email Christa Burns, NEBASE OCLC Member Services Coordinator or phone 402-471-3107 or 800-307-2665.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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CONNEXION CLIENT 1.10 COMING IN MARCH/APRIL

The next release of the Connexion client, version 1.10, is coming in March/April. Additional information has been added to the OCLC Web site about the new version.

The future enhancements page at <http://www.oclc.org/connexion/interface/client/enhancements/future.htm> has been updated to list new features that will be added in version 1.10.

The known problems page at <http://www.oclc.org/connexion/support/client_known_problems.htm> has been updated to note which problems will be resolved in version 1.10.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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CONNEXION CLIENT MACRO LESSONS NOW AVAILABLE

In the past, Joel Hahn, Niles Public Library District, has provided macro lessons for Passport and CatME on his Web site. Joel has now posted a new Connexion client version of his lessons OCLC Macro Language for the Complete Beginner. These 12 lessons provide a great overview of macro writing, and OCLC highly recommends them to everyone who wants to learn more about macros.

The lessons are available from the Connexion client documentation page at <http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/connexion/client/default.htm> and directly from Joel's Web site at <http://users.rcn.com/aardy/oml/lessons/index.html>.

OCLC sponsors and endorses these lessons, and we wish to thank Joel for all of his great work with helping us all with macro writing!

David Whitehair
Connexion Client Product Manager
OCLC Cataloging and Metadata Services

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ADDITIONAL IP ADDRESS ADDED FOR OCLC CONNEXION BROWSER TCP/IP EXPORT

OCLC has added an additional IP address for TCP/IP Export with the Connexion browser. The new IP address is 132.174.2.73. If your site uses a firewall, it must be configured to recognize and accept export data from the following IP addresses:

132.174.2.67
132.174.2.5
132.174.2.21
132.174.2.73 (new)

The port range for these IP addresses remains 30000-30499. Please make any necessary changes to your firewall to insure that TCP/IP export continues to work properly. Thank you.

Roman S. Panchyshyn
Metadata Services Division
OCLC Online Computer Library Center Inc.
 

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OCLC CONNEXION BROWSER FEBRUARY 2004 INSTALLATION

The OCLC Connexion quarterly enhancement installation for February was successfully installed on February 22, 2004. This installation includes both user requested enhancements, and problem fixes. Please see Connexion News for more details about these changes.

LCCN format for editing and display:

• Easier entry of Library of Congress Control Number: Enter or edit LCCN with or without leading or trailing blanks in the prefix, with or without a hyphen between the year and serial number, and without the trailing blank at the end of a pre-2001 LCCN.
• Connexion consistently displays the LCCN without a hyphen.

• Using a new option in Preferences (Cataloging Options), you can now choose which groups of variable fields to transfer when you derive new bibliographic records and bibliographic constant data records.
  
• For fixed fields, you can decide each time whether to transfer all values or record type defaults only.

• When you apply constant data, repeatable fields from the constant data record are added to a bibliographic or an authority record after other repeatable fields or repeatable field groups instead of before them.

• Lock and Display buttons on brief lists for bibliographic and authority records are now hidden by default. To restore the buttons, press <Alt><Y>. Once you restore the buttons, they remain visible for future session until you press <Alt><Y> to hide them.

• Headings on the Active Records screen appear only if you have active records in that specific category.
  
• When you go to the Active Records screen, the first record listed is selected and highlighted. You can press <Enter> to view the record. The last record opened in each category will appear first in the list for that category.
• For bibliographic and authority records, the term "locked" indicates a locked master record. For unlocked records, the screen shows the title or heading; the Local Edit label no longer appears.
• The default action for the Show button on the Cataloging and Authority tabs changes to Active Records.

• Cataloging Agent authorizations, which allow you to catalog for other libraries for which you are profiled, are now valid in Connexion.
  
• As in Passport and CatME, agents enter holdings symbols for libraries they are working for in field 951 $l, then produce and update records as usual.
  
• Connexion Cataloging Agent functionality includes locking and replacing WorldCat records, and editing and exporting authority records.
  
• Cataloging agents using Passport and CatME are now able to lock and replace WorldCat records. All other cataloging agent activities in these interfaces remain the same.
• A new 951 field function, Show Institution, allows you to mouse over institution symbols to display the institution name.

• Authorities save file aging changes from 180 to 90 days. This change impacts authority records saved online in Connexion Authorities, as well as Passport and CatME.

• 5xx cross references in authority records should now all be available and linked to appropriate 1xx headings if available.

• Connexion Tips link added to Connexion logon screen under Related Links and to the Connexion Welcome screen under Useful Links.
  
• Clicking this link takes you to Featured Connexion Tips on the OCLC web site, where you can find useful tips and information about Connexion. Topics will rotate among 3 areas: browser interface, client interface, and general tips.

• A new Background Color option lets you change from the default white background to a light blue background. Some may find the light blue easier on their eyes when working in Connexion browser.

• Now easily search user notes with the new shortcut <Ctrl><Shift><[> for WebDewey user notes and <Ctrl><Shift><]> for Abridged WebDewey user notes.

• OCLC will end Connexion support for Netscape 6.x on February 22, 2004. At that time, Connexion users, including CatExpress and WebDewey users, will no longer be able to log on using Netscape 6.x.

• Links to Related Topics (listed at the end of each Help topic)
  
• Search Help function (above the title of each Help topic)
  
• Contents tab (top of each Help window)

1. Go to the Doc Finder page on the OCLC Web site: <https://www3.oclc.org/documentation/>
   
2. Click "Recent updates" (navigation area, left side of page).
   
3. Look for titles that begin with "Connexion Browser - ". From a listed title, you can view the guide in either HTML or PDF format.

• To view a guide in HTML format, click the title.
  
• From the title page, use the links in the left-side navigation area:
  
• PDF - View and/or print the guide in PDF format.
  
• Abstract & revision notes - View a list that describes recent changes to the document. The Revision history is also on page 2 of the PDF).

• On the Connexion browser login screen, under Related Links, click Connexion Documentation.
  
• After logging on to Connexion browser,
  
• On the General tab, click the Documentation button.
  Or
  
• On the home screen (screen displayed after logon), under Topics, click OCLC Connexion Documentation.

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USING OCLC CONNEXION BROWSER: AN OCLC TUTORIAL

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

The revisions to the tutorial incorporate these recent enhancements:

• Improvements to deriving new records.
  
• Changes to merging repeatable fields from Constant Data in bibliographic and authority records.
  
• Lock and Display buttons on brief lists for bibliographic and authority records are now hidden by default.
  
• Enhancements to the Active Records screen.

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DDC 21 CONTEST RESULTS ARE IN!

Dozens of enthusiastic Dewey-philes submitted ideas to OCLC for repurposing old copies of DDC 21 now that DDC 22 is available.

The three top ideas (as judged by OCLC's equally enthusiastic Dewey staff) received a free one-year subscription to WebDewey.

See the winners at <http://www.oclc.org/info/dewey/>.

Save by joining the NEBASE WebDewey & Abridged WebDewey Group at </netserv/nebase/whatsnew.html#WebDeweyGroup>.

Order your print copy of DDC 22 or get a great deal on the special combination package of the latest edition, DDC 22, and WebDewey. Visit the Dewey Web store to learn more - <http://www.oclc.org/dewey/ordering/>.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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MANAGE YOUR LIBRARY'S DIGITAL COLLECTION WITH CONTENTdm

CONTENTdm is a digital collection software suite that allows you to create, organize, search, access and manage your digital collections. License CONTENTdm for your own server or use a hosted solution from an OCLC server. With CONTENTdm, you can:

• Take on small or large projects
  
• Start with a small digitization project and demonstrate success to your funding sources quickly
  
• Implement and use the tools without extensive IT support - CONTENTdm tools are flexible enough to accommodate various skill levels, from volunteers to highly trained technical staff
  
• Administer your digital collection over the web and enter digitized objects at multiple remote locations

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REPLACING FLOPPIES WITH FLASH: USING PORTABLE FLASH DRIVES IN THE LIBRARY

A simple Google search on "flash drives" and libraries reveals a growing trend: libraries are making it possible for their users to save files to flash drives instead of floppies. Flash drives are small devices that are inserted directly into the USB port of a computer where, through the marvels of plug and play in Windows 2000/SP or MacOS 9/X, they can be immediately available as a drive on which files can be saved. Earlier operating systems might require the installation of drives from a CD or the Web.

Flash drives are known by a number of synonyms: USB flash disk, thumb drives, pen drives, memory key drives, pocket drives, or key chain drives. They are all lightweight (usually around one ounce or less) and very small (about 3 inches long by about .8 inches wide by about .4 inches thick). They fit in a shirt or pants pocket (though be careful not to throw them in the laundry hamper!) or on a key chain. A carrying strap is sometimes part of the purchase. They range in storage capacity from 8 MB to 2 GB. Flash drives use power from the USB port so there is no need for an external power supply or battery. Per megabyte they are relatively inexpensive, and range in price for $25 to $700.

These devices are perfectly suited for transferring files between the library and home computers or between any two computers that have a USB port. Libraries are using them to support staff activities such as installing software updates on workstations around the library.

Fore more information about these handy little devices, visit <http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/nov03/ferrer.shtml> for an article from Computers in Libraries on the topic. There is also an abundance of other information about flash drives on the Web.

[OCLC, edited]
 

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OCLC ENDS NETSCAPE 6.x SUPPORT FEBRUARY 22

OCLC ended Connexion support for Netscape 6.x on February 22, 2004. Connexion users, including CatExpress and WebDewey users, are no longer able to log on using Netscape 6.x. If you are currently using a 6.x version of Netscape, you must upgrade to a newer version of Netscape or switch your browser to Internet Explorer.

Ending support of older versions of Netscape enables quicker development of enhancements to the Connexion service because additional programming has often been necessary to support these older versions of Netscape. As a result, OCLC will be able to add new and better features to the system.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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N³ (Ncubed) Newsletter is published bimonthly by the Nebraska Library Commission Network Services team. It is the intent of Network Services to promote and support libraries in their cooperative efforts to share resources and information. Circulation: 600. Published on PC software. Editor: Shannon Behrhorst. Word Processing: Jeannette Powell. ISSN 1082-4383 Send mail to: N³ Editor Nebraska Library Commission, The Atrium, 1200 N St., Suite 120, Lincoln, NE, 68508 Phone: 402-471-4031 or 800-307-2665 Fax: 402-471-2083 E-mail: Shannon Behrhorst Home Page: </netserv/netserv.html>