May/June 2004 Page 2 

OCLC PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: FIRSTSEARCH RESOURCE SHARING STAFF VIEW

OCLC CONTINUES TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE ILL

Direct access to ILL functionality is now available in the Web-based FirstSearch reference service. A special "resource sharing staff view" allows your staff to create ILL requests right from a FirstSearch resource citation. The staff view is easy to activate and just as easy to use. If you haven't yet tried this feature, we encourage you to turn on the resource sharing staff view in FirstSearch today. Find out how in the quick start guide at <http://www.oclc.org/ill/migration/quickstart_sharing_staffview.pdf>.

Over the next 18 months, you'll hear about many more changes designed to improve your workflow and service to your users. Based on your suggestions, OCLC is planning more enhancements to ILL functionality, as well as other changes that will make using and budgeting resource sharing even more efficient.

Retirement of current ILL interfaces
This is still being determined and more information will be released as soon as possible. It is very likely that OCLC will stagger the retirements, but no details are available yet. Once OCLC has determined a date for the end of Passport for ILL, ILL ME and ILL Web, announcements will be made and users of the OCLC ILL service will be notified. OCLC is committed to providing at least three months advance notice of this discontinuation. OCLC's goal is to retire the current platforms sometime between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2005.

FirstSearch Staff View Now Includes Borrowing Functionality
The FirstSearch staff view has been enhanced to save library staff time and help users obtain items more quickly with an improved, streamlined workflow. Library staff can search for materials in FirstSearch and complete borrowing functions for ILL from within the FirstSearch interface.

Functionality includes:

• Additional borrowing capabilities
  
• A link to the ILL Policies Directory
  
• Multiple constant data records

• Direct request profiles
  
• Constant data records
  
• Custom holdings (use of custom holdings displays when using the FirstSearch staff view will not be available until later in 2004)

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OPEN WORLDCAT PILOT

In June 2003, OCLC began a project called the Open WorldCat pilot. The pilot uses information from WorldCat to test new ways of making libraries' collections more visible on the Web to current and potential library users. It was launched after extensive consultation with OCLC membership and leaders in the library and information community.

Users see a new interface when they access WorldCat information from booksellers, other Web sites, and several information services that are working with OCLC in this pilot. The current participants are Abebooks, Alibris, Antiquarian Booksellers of America, BookPage, and HCI Bibliography. Several of these linking arrangements have been in place since 2001.

Ownership information for about 12,000 academic, public and school libraries that have contributed holdings to WorldCat is now included in search results retrieved by the Google search engine. OCLC and its affiliated networks informed libraries that would be included in the pilot in late September; all were given the option to withdraw from the pilot if they did not wish to participate.

For the pilot, OCLC made a subset of approximately two million abbreviated records from WorldCat available to Google. The records began appearing in Google results in December 2003. The records are labeled "Find in a library" and include links to the interface where users can determine what libraries own the item. Users can link to Web-based catalogs and sites of these libraries. With the Open WorldCat pilot, an information seeker who starts a search using Google could end up finding the items needed in a nearby library. Google is currently working to complete harvesting and indexing these records. This means that the that page rankings for records visible now are not indicative of final page rankings that will be in place when all records have been properly indexed. OCLC continues to work to improve the ranking of the records in search results.

We will be listening closely to libraries and their users during the pilot, which will run through June 2004, and will refine the service based on their feedback. In late spring 2004, OCLC will decide whether to proceed with implementation of an ongoing service.

A Web site giving more information about the Open WorldCat pilot is available at <http://www.oclc.org/worldcat/pilot>. Libraries may update their information, choose not to participate, add themselves to the pilot program, and send comments from the Web form accessible on this site. Please contact NEBASE, 402-471-3107, 800-307-2665 or Christa Burns or OCLC Customer Service Department, 800-848-5800 or <support@oclc.org> with questions about the Open WorldCat pilot.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission
 

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REFERENCE REALITY CHECK: OCLC SYMPOSIUM ONLINE

A webcast of the January 9th, 2004 OCLC Symposium at ALA Midwinter [SanDiego]: The Reference Reality Check - A Practical Look at Rethinking Reference, is now available for viewing from the new Virtual Reference: Topics and Trends page: <http://www.oclc.org/community/topics/virtualreference/>. A list of symposium participants and topics may be found below.

To watch the symposium, click on the link in the middle of the page, where it says: "Video Symposium: Reference Reality Check...Watch and listen as our guest moderators share their thoughts on next-generation reference services. View the video >>".

We also encourage you to give the new discussion boards a try at <http://forums.oclc.org>.

The OCLC Symposium featured the following speakers and topics:

• Diane Nester Kresh, Director for Public Service Collections, Library of Congress, Going Where the Users Are...Are We There Yet?
  
• Susan McGlamery, Project Director, 24/7 Reference, Cooperative Reference-Why it takes a village to provide a virtual reference service
• Anne Craig, Network Director, ILLINET/OCLC Services, Illinois State Library, Reference Reality Check-Statewide Virtual Reference: The Illinois Experience
• David Lankes, Director of the Information Institute of Syracuse and Assistant Professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies, Repackaging Librarianship
  
• Joseph Janes, Associate Professor and Chair of Library Information Science at the Information School of the University of Washington, Digital Reference Isn't

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OCLC ILL TURNS 25

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OCLC INTERLIBRARY LOAN!!!

The OCLC ILL service was launched on April 1, 1979 - 25 years ago! Over 134 million requests have been made during the past 25 years. OCLC is looking forward to transitioning the service into the future with our "next-generation" ILL system currently in development.

More information can be found at <http://www.oclc.org/info/ill/default.htm>.

Congratulations to all OCLC ILL libraries and regional service providers, and thanks for making OCLC ILL the world's most comprehensive and widely-used resource sharing system!

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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CHECK YOUR ILL POLICIES

Attention OCLC ILL Staff....

OCLC would like to remind you of certain things you should do at least twice per year:

• change your clock settings when appropriate,
  
• check the batteries in your smoke detector,
  
• check your library's OCLC ILL Policies Directory entry to be sure address, phone numbers, and ILL policies are up to date!

1. You can go straight to the Directory at <http://illpolicies.oclc.org> and log on using your ILL Authorization # and Password.
   
   OR
   
   
2. You can log on to the OCLC ILL Web interface at <http://illweb.oclc.org> and click on the Policies Directory link at the top of the screen. This will launch the Directory in a new browser window. Close the ILL Web interface window in order to make changes to your Policies Directory record without incurring Access & User Support Fees.

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ILL LIBRARIES  TELL OCLC ABOUT YOUR MACRO USE

Tell OCLC about how your library uses passport macros for ILL.  OCLC is working hard to address the needs of high-volume ILL libraries while incorporating needed functionality into the FirstSearch staff view. In particular, we understand the importance of macros to users of Passport for ILL.

In order to better understand how libraries use macros, we would like to hear from you. Please let us know what you do with macros in Passport for ILL. We are interested in both stacked commands and keystroke commands.

Please send your comments to Cathy Kellum at OCLC,  <cathy_kellum@oclc.org>.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission
 

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REVISED ILL REFERENCE CARDS NOW AVAILABLE

Two revised quick references for ILL users are now available from OCLC's Product Documentation Content Department:

• OCLC FirstSearch/ILL Direct Request Link Quick Reference. This 4-page document describes the optional link between OCLC's FirstSearch service and the ILL Direct Request service. This link allows patrons to generate ILL requests for materials cited in FirstSearch databases.
  
• OCLC Document Supplier Quick Reference. This 2-page document tells how to send ILL requests to any participating OCLC document supplier. Some of the document suppliers mentioned are the British Library Document Supply Centre, CISTI, and the ERIC Document Reproduction Service.

• REF2153, OCLC FirstSearch/ILL Direct Request Link Quick Reference
  
• REF2474, OCLC Document Supplier Quick Reference
  

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ABRIDGED DEWEY 14TH EDITION CONTAINS NEW NUMBERS AND TOPICS

The abridged edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system provides the level of detail needed to classify materials in libraries with collections of 20,000 or fewer titles.

Published in a single print volume, the abridged DDC provides Dewey numbers that are compatible with the unabridged edition should a library's collection expand and require deeper classification detail. Abridged Edition 14 is based on the recently released DDC 22 and reflects the many changes to the body of human knowledge that have occurred since Abridged Edition 13 was published in 1997. The content of Abridged Edition 14 has been available online in Abridged WebDewey since December 2003.

Abridged 14 contains many new numbers and topics. These range from new geographic provisions to provisions for topics in fields such as computer science, religion, sociology, law, medicine and health, and recreation. It also is the first DDC abridged edition to be produced in the context of the Web environment. Abridged WebDewey gives library access to an enhanced version of the Abridged 14 database.

Order your copy now at <http://www.oclc.org/dewey/ordering/>.

Learn about the new features in Abridged 14 at <http://www.oclc.org/dewey/versions/abridgededition14/newfeatures.pdf>.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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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, contact Christa Burns at Christa Burns, 402-471-3107, or 800-307-2665.

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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CHECK OUT THE CONNEXION WEB SITE

Have you looked at the Connexion Web site lately? Information on the site is continually changing and expanding!

Check it out at <http://www.oclc.org/connexion/>.

Go to the "About" link to select "Success stories" to read some comments from your colleagues about how they use Connexion.

Under "Interface choices" you can learn about the Connexion browser and Connexion client interfaces, including a list of past, recent, and upcoming enhancements for each.

The migration page has been recently expanded to include additional information for members migrating from CatME. Click "Migrating from Passport and CatME" to see migration tips, a list of Connexion features that are new to Passport and CatME users, and a comparison chart of Passport, CatME, Connexion browser, and Connexion client features to help you determine when the features you need are in Connexion.

Connexion browser and client documentation is included under "Support". Did you know that all of the contents of Help for the browser and client is included on the Web site in HTML and PDF formats? You can access the information from Help within the browser and client, or you can view and/or print the information from the Web site. And, the "Passport, CatME, and Connexion comparison" document includes instructions for various commands in the different interfaces to help you learn how to do things in Connexion. Recently a Microsoft Word version of this document was added to the Web site, so now you can edit the table to list only the commands you need.

The browser and client tutorials are also under Support. These Web-based tutorials are a great way to review some of the Connexion functionality, and both are up to date, reflecting the recent enhancements to the browser and client interfaces.

Be sure to see "Tips" under Support. Each week a new tip is added to help you learn about additional Connexion features.

These are just a few of the things available on the Web site. Check it out!

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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CONNEXION BROWSER APRIL INSTALLATION

The OCLC Connexion Browser installation on April 4 was successful. Details follow:

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. The April install coincides with the WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey quarterly release.

This install message includes information about:

• Authority File Searching - use of wildcard/truncation now occurs in the fourth character position.
  
• Show Options List - "Active Records" menu list item now consistent across Connexion tabs.
  
• WebDewey/Abridged WebDewey April Release - Save time when browsing the Dewey numbers (with captions) index.

The following interface changes are now available in both WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey:

• Browse the Dewey Numbers (with Captions) index more efficiently! Previously, the square brackets around discontinued, relocated, and unassigned numbers were only displayed in schedule records, table records, and search results. Now the square brackets around discontinued, relocated, and unassigned numbers also display in browse results.

• all updates to Dewey Decimal Classification, Edition 22, through March 2004 (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 (the OCLC Online Union Catalog) and intellectually mapped by DDC editors (through LCSH Weekly List no. 16, 2003)
  
• 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)

• all content from the new Abridged Edition 14, through March 2004
  
• 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 subject headings from the 18th edition of H.W. Wilson's Sears List of Subject Headings

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CONNEXION BROWSER HELP AND DOCUMENTATION

Updated Help and Online Documentation was included in the release of OCLC Connexion browser installed April 4.

Connexion Browser Help
In Connexion browser, click Help on the header bar of any screen to view context-specific information and instructions. To find other Help topics, use:

• 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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CONNEXION CLIENT 1.10 AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

Version 1.10 of the Connexion client is now available for download!

Changes are included for set up options, editing records, a new macro recorder, bibliographic save file and constant data, authority save file and constant data, system help, and other miscellaneous changes.

See <http://www.oclc.org/connexion/interface/client/enhancements/recent.htm> for more information and to download the new software at no charge.

The client documentation and training materials have been updated and are available at the following sites:

• Client documentation - <http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/connexion/client/>
• Client tutorial - <http://www.oclc.org/support/training/connexion/>

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OCLC PRESERVATION SERVICES: TAKE A NEW ONLINE TOUR

Learn how OCLC's preservation solutions can add value to your collections while preserving them for generations to come. Making the Case for Preservation Services, a 10-minute online video, takes you on a tour of an OCLC preservation lab and shows you the breadth of OCLC's service offerings. These services can solve your toughest preservation challenges and help you optimize access to your rare materials, manage your resources and provide improved service to your patrons.

Take the tour at <http://www.oclc.org/preservation/about/tour/default.htm>.

Visit the Preservation Services web page for more information <http://www.oclc.org/preservation/default.htm>.

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>