Archive for January, 2010
WorldCat Direct is a delivery service that integrates interlibrary loan and direct delivery to library users. Through a partnership with Better World Books, a social enterprise book supplier that supports literacy initiatives worldwide, WorldCat Direct is now available as a beta feature to users of WorldCat Resource Sharing in the U.S. Libraries that offer WorldCat Direct to their users pay delivery fees using the Interlibrary Fee Management (IFM) capability in WorldCat Resource Sharing.
WorldCat Direct is scheduled to launch February 21, 2010.
January 27th, 2010
On January 27th, NetLibrary will release a new holds feature that will allow users to place popular eBooks and eAudiobooks on reserve. With this enhancement, users will be able to place holds request for titles in use by other users, view their place in line for each item, and receive e-mail notification when the content is available for check-out.
Holds will be available to all libraries that purchase content from NetLibrary. Users will be able to request a hold for up to 40 titles, with 2 days to check out titles once they become available. When the holds feature is initially released, functionality will be activated for eAudiobook content only. To activate holds for eBooks, e-mail OCLC’s Customer Service Department at support@oclc.org. Holds management, including the ability to turn holds on and off for each content type, modify the number of hold per patron, and view reports on popular titles held each month, will be available through the Library Resource Center in summer 2010.
With over 200,000 eBooks and 10,000 eAudiobooks available in the NetLibrary catalog and a growing number compatible with portable devices including mobile phones, laptops, iPods and iPhones, this new feature will enhance the user experience and increase circulation and management of NetLibrary content.
PLEASE NOTE: The addition of this feature will require that NetLibrary will be unavailable for approximately 1 hour, from 7am-8am EST Wednesday, January 27.
January 27th, 2010
Message from Chrystie Hill, OCLC
Community Services Director
WebJunction.org hillc@oclc.org | 206-336-9204 | 1-800-848-5878 ext 1304
WebJunction maps competencies to courses that help library staff build their skills.
~~~~~~Message~~~~~~
OCLC needs your help to understand the types of assistance public libraries provide to users today. Please share your library’s role in supporting patrons with such activities as job seeking, small business support, technology training and in providing meeting room facilities by taking this quick six- question OCLC survey available at http://www.oclc.org/info/ValueOfLibrariesSurvey/.
In 2003, OCLC produced the report Libraries: How They Stack Up that provided a snapshot of the economic impact of libraries. The report included facts and figures to compare the value of libraries as a destination, logistics, technology, and information provider. To support public librarians in budget planning and funding requests, OCLC will soon release a similar report as a tool to help you illustrate the value public libraries play today, based in part on your responses to this survey.
You can sign up to receive this and other OCLC membership reports at http://www.oclc.org/us/en/email/subscribe.htm
January 26th, 2010
Join us February 9–10 for WebJunction’s free online conference on technology
| WebJunction has provided online programming for the past several years in the form of monthly webinars. Now, we are expanding our programming to include our first-ever online conference, Technology Essentials 2010. With presenters from our partner communities and beyond, this free conference will take place February 9–10. The conference will focus on practical and timely strategies for using technology in your library. Presenters include: |
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- Sandra Nelson with The Planning Puzzle: Integrating your Strategic Plan and your Technology Plan
- Stephanie Gerding with Library Grants 101
- Joshua Dodson and Laura Slavin with WordPress for Library 2.0 and Beyond
- Pat Carterette with Learning When There’s No Time (or Money) to Learn
- Karen McCoy with Implementing Reliable Instant Messaging at Your Library.
You won’t want to miss this valuable learning opportunity for you and your staff. View the full program and speaker information and register (for free) today!
January 20th, 2010
Now find library listings from WorldCat through RedLaser iPhone app
Scan a book barcode with the RedLaser app on your iPhone, find it in your local library
A popular app for iPhone users, RedLaser now includes library listings when a user scans a book barcode with their iPhone. The app uses the WorldCat Search API and WorldCat Registry APIs to deliver results for libraries nearby who hold the item in WorldCat, the world’s largest library catalog. Location and mapping information is also available.
RedLaser, developed by Occipital, of Boulder, Colorado, is a barcode scanning application for the iPhone, available through the Apple iTunes App Store. The app puts information from thousands of libraries at a user’s fingertips.
The RedLaser iPhone app, currently available in the U.S. for books only, is one of several mobile applications designed for users to access library information from WorldCat. The WorldCat Mobile pilot app is available for download on all Web-enabled phones in the UK, U.S., Netherlands, Germany, France and Canada at www.worldcat.org/mobile.
WorldCat-related APIs are available to anyone interested in creating noncommercial mash-ups or mobile apps that include library data. Commercial apps like RedLaser use the WorldCat Search API through partnership agreements.
iPhone users can download the RedLaser app for US$ 1.99 through Apple’s iTunes app store.
January 13th, 2010
The OCLC Policies Directory is the repository of interlibrary loan policies for OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing libraries. A new, completely redesigned Policies Directory was released on January 10, 2010. The changes include a new user interface, hardware platform and underlying database. All existing policies, deflections, and contact data remain the same. The new interface is based on feedback received during usability testing with existing Policies Directory users. In addition, WorldCat Registry data is now incorporated into Policies Directory interface.
See a complete list of changes and enhancements: http://www.oclc.org/info/policies/
January 11th, 2010
Qwidget (the QuestionPoint chat widget) gives libraries the ability to embed a snippet of HTML code throughout their Web pages and in a variety of environments. The Qwidget is evolving, and we have added the following new features for Qwidget:
A. Mobile Qwidget
Users who navigate the web via their compatible mobile devices now have the ability to use an optimized Qwidget to connect with their librarian. In addition, iPhone users can download a direct link to the Qwidget, onto their home screen, represented by an icon (similar to an “App” icon). This allows them to begin a Qwidget session without first navigating to the library website via their mobile browser.
Although it imports all of the text and other characteristics of the Qwidget built by libraries in the QuestionPoint Administration module, this new, optimized Qwidget has a standard mobile interface, size and color.
The Mobile Qwidget will be available to the following types of device:
iPhone, Android, Palm.
B. Qwidget for Facebook
You can now add the Qwidget to Facebook! All you need is a Facebook account; you must also accept the Facebook application terms and conditions. A Qwidget for Facebook guide will walk you through the application creation process using Facebook Developer. Requests for the Qwidget for Facebook guide should be sent to David Leslie, at david_leslie@oclc.org. Please enter “Qwidget Facebook” in the subject line.
C. Chat widget display in WorldCat Local
The Chat functionality is available to libraries with full WorldCat Local subscriptions.
Institutions that have a Questionpoint Qwidget or other chat clients are now able to
provide their users the opportunity to chat directly with a librarian from within WorldCat
Local. This solution is designed to work with any chat client by inserting the code snippet
via configuration in the WorldCat Service Configuration User Interface module. For more info: http://www.oclc.org/us/en/questionpoint/worldcat_local_chat_overview.pdf
Other enhancements:
QuestionPoint Knowledge bases offered as Web service
QuestionPoint knowledge bases can now be accessed via other interfaces through the use of the web service search query and data record link. Searches can be posted and limited by any of the parameters on the QuestionPoint Advanced Search page. Search results can be rendered in xml or html for flexible implementation by various search engines. Text and json formats are also output options.
For details on how to implement this flexible new option, contact David Leslie at david_leslie@oclc.org. You will need to provide him with an IT contact person at your institution.
Custom Qwidget skins and formatting
QuestionPoint now offers your web team the ability to create a custom CSS file for the Qwidget. This will allow them to exactly match the color of the Qwidget with the rest of your website. Experience working with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and access to create and add files to a public-facing website are required. For step by step instructions on implementing this capability, please consult the link on the Qwidget creation page from within your Administrator interface. These self-created custom Qwidget “skins” will be stored and must be maintained on your own servers. The Qwidget mechanism itself will continue to be hosted on QuestionPoint servers at OCLC.
New report for “Number of Chat sessions accepted via Qwidget”
The number of Qwidget chat sessions your group, library, or librarians accepted is now a separate line item in the Chat Service section of all activity reports.
January 11th, 2010
In 2009, the FirstSearch Base Package was expanded to include CONTENTdm “quick start.” This means that if your library has a Base Package Subscription, you can request access to CONTENTdm for digital collection building at no additional charge. Please plan to join us for this ALA MW session to learn more.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
CONTENTdm “quick start” at No Additional Cost
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Marriott Copley Place, Grand Ballroom Salon A
CONTENTdm “quick start” lets you make your library’s digital collections available quickly and easily on the Web. Base Package subscribers are eligible to receive: (1) the CONTENTdm software, (2) three downloadable Project Clients for building digital collections, and (3) 10 GB of storage for up to 3,000 digital items. Join us to learn more!
Special guest speaker: Laurie Preston, Associate Professor and Head of Reference at Randolph-Macon College’s McGraw-Page Library will discuss her library’s plans for CONTENTdm “quick start.”
To register, please visit http://www.oclc.org/info/ala/.
Additionally, many members of the CONTENTdm team also will be available to discuss your institution’s digital collection environment and plans. Stop by the OCLC booth #1654 to speak with a team member to learn more.
If you have any questions, please email us at contentdm@oclc.org
January 11th, 2010
The Policies Directory interface (https://illpolicies.oclc.org) will be unavailable after 5:00 today, Friday, January 8th through 8:00 am Sunday, January 10th EST.
WorldCat Resource Sharing will be unavailable on Sunday, January 10th from 2:00 am – 8:00 am EST.
The Policies Directory is a repository of interlibrary loan policies for WorldCat Resource Sharing libraries. The new Policies Directory has been completely redesigned including a new user interface, hardware platform and underlying database.
Your access to the data in the new Policies Directory will remain the same.
- Via the existing URL (https://illpolicies.oclc.org) using your OCLC ILL authorization and password.
- Through the WorldCat Resource Sharing interface, either by clicking the Policies Directory link or on the ‘Libraries that Own Item’ screen, by clicking on the red question mark (?) next to the library symbol
- Via the existing links in ILLiad and the WorldCat Services Administrative module.
All existing lending data (policies, deflections, contact data) will remain. You do not need to make any changes to your existing Policies Directory data.
In addition, WorldCat Registry data will be integrated with the new Policies Directory.
WorldCat Registry and Policies Directory currently include similar institution information requiring the library to update it in both places. The change will allow library to maintain correct institution information in one place (WC Registry) with data automatically provided to Policy Directory. Please see example of the new ILL Policy Directory profile view with WC Registry data.
WorldCat Registry data incorporated into Policies Directory interface
The Registry information will be displayed in the Policies Directory. It can be updated in the WorldCat Registry interface only by authorized library users and changes will be reflected in the Policies Directory within an hour.
- Institution name and Also called name (ex. University of Minnesota Biomedical Library)
- Location (city, state/province and country)
- Institution type
- OCLC symbols (updated only by OCLC staff)
- Catalog, home page and lending URLs
- FEIN
A complete list of other OCLC products that currently utilize WorldCat Registry data is also available at http://www.oclc.org/us/en/registry/support/registrydata.pdf
A complete list of changes and enhancements is located at http://www.oclc.org/info/policies/
January 8th, 2010
See a list of OCLC information sessions that are open to ALA Midwinter 2010 Meeting registrants. Register today and plan to visit us at OCLC Booth 1654 to see service demonstrations, preview future functionality and discover solutions to help you serve your library users more effectively.
Plan to attend our key membership events:
Friday, January 15, 8:30 – 11:30 am, Westin Waterfront, Grand Ballroom, A/B
OCLC Americas Regional Council Meeting
Please plan to attend the first meeting of the OCLC Americas Regional Council. Comprised of members from libraries and other cultural heritage organizations from Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean and the United States, the Americas Regional Council is part of the OCLC cooperative’s new governance structure designed to facilitate member-to-member discussions across the cooperative. This meeting will provide an open forum to discuss issues of importance and advise OCLC about its products, services, policies and operating direction. Continental breakfast will be served.
NOTE: Portions of the general session will be streamed as live video for virtual participants; this video will also be available after ALA Midwinter as a webcast on OCLC’s Web site.
Friday, January 15, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, Westin Waterfront, Grand Ballroom A/B
OCLC Symposium: On the Radar: How Libraries and Other Nonprofits Can Increase Their Influence
Gaining attention and funding among nonprofit and community entities has never been more critical. Join OCLC and Michael Brown, CEO & C0-Founder of City Year, for a discussion of this vital topic. How can libraries build influence in their communities to improve sustainability? What groups see your library as a vital and essential resource for their success and survival? Building effective partnerships is essential to instilling a sense of urgency when questions of support arise. Michael’s experience in developing and growing an entrepreneurial nonprofit will bring a valuable perspective to this discussion. Loretta Parham, CEO/Director of the Robert W. Woodruff Library at the Atlanta University Center, will moderate the session and provide her thoughts on building influence from within the academic library setting.
Sunday, January 17, 7:00 – 9:00 am, Westin Waterfront, Grand Ballroom
OCLC Update Breakfast
Join OCLC and your colleagues for breakfast, a free gift and an update on OCLC activities from Jay Jordan, President and CEO. Then, share roundtable conversation with colleagues who share your interests, hosted by OCLC staff. Choose your roundtable topic when you register:
· Advocacy
· Cataloging and collection development: Connexion, Dewey, Language Sets, WorldCat Collection Analysis and WorldCat Selection
· Developer Web services: WorldCat API, xISBN, xISSN
· Digital collection services: CONTENTdm
· Digitization and preservation
· Electronic resources: NetLibrary and FirstSearch
· Future Web-scale management services: WorldCat.org, WorldCat Local
· Resource sharing: WorldCat Resource Sharing, ILLiad, VDX, WorldCat Link Manager, WorldCat Navigator
· Virtual Reference: QuestionPoint
· WebJunction
· WorldCat Local and WorldCat.org
Registration for these key events and all OCLC information sessions at ALA Midwinter is quick and easy. We look forward to seeing you in Boston!
January 8th, 2010
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