NEWS FROM OCLC
Compiled for OLAC by Jay Weitz
For the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting
January 2007
General News
Connexion Client 1.70 Release
Connexion Client 1.70 is now available. With Client 1.70 users are able to: extract metadata for MP3 files; search the authority history database; use guided entry for fields 541 and 583; search and automatically convert an invalid Chinese, Japanese, or Korean (CJK) character to a valid MARC-8 character; transliterate Persian script; and much more. For more information and to download the software, see <http://www.oclc.org/connexion/interface/Client/enhancements/recent.htm>.
Among other new features and changes in Connexion Client 1.70 are:
- Toolbar and menu changes. The toolbar is redesigned. Besides the main Client toolbar with buttons, a WorldCat quick search toolbar and quick tools for text strings and user tools are also displayed by default.
- Expanded OCLC Number/Field 035. To accommodate the ongoing growth of the WorldCat database, OCLC will change the format of the 001 in OCLC MARC bibliographic records starting with OCLC record number 100 million. For bibliographic records up to and including OCLC number 99999999, the 001 will continue to use the three character prefix (ocm), followed by an eight digit number, and a trailing space (e.g., ocm99999999). Starting with record number 100000000, the prefix will be ocn, the number will be 9 digits in length and have no trailing space (e.g., ocn100000000). All records exported include the OCLC control number in the 035 field. For more detailed information, see Technical Bulletin 253.
- View the "Find in a Library" service at WorldCat.org from a displayed WorldCat record. This feature may be used to locate libraries that hold the work described in the current record and to link directly to library OPACs.
- Import text macros from RLIN21 into the Connexion Client. The "Import Text Strings" window may be opened to select and import text macros from RLIN21 text macro files (*.ma9) into the Client text string file.
- Thirteen digit ISBNs are now fully supported in WorldCat. WorldCat records include both the 10 and 13 digit ISBNs in 020 fields. If one format is entered, Connexion automatically adds the other format when the final action is taken on the record. See Technical Bulletin 253 for more information.
- Bengali and Devanagari script cataloging and searching are now supported. Bengali script is used for Bangla, Assamese, and other languages. Devanagari script is used for Hindi, Marathi, and other languages.
- Several changes and fixes to controlling headings have been implemented.
- "[CHILDREN’S]" label has been added to authority searching results. Please note that the "[CHILDREN’S]" label is not presented when browsing the authority file.
- Users may now search Authority LCCNs with or without a hyphen.
- Full-mode users have been enabled to add non-Latin scripts: Full-mode users can add or change non-Latin script fields in full-level master records (e.g., Encoding Levels blank, I, L, etc.). Previously, an Enhance authorization was needed to perform these activities. Connexion treats non-Latin script fields like other database enrichment fields such as call numbers, subject headings, contents notes, etc.
Note: OCLC will discontinue Client 1.60 on April 1, 2007. This applies to users of the Windows-based Connexion Client interface; it does not apply to users of the Web-based
Connexion Browser interface.
Bibliographic Formats and Standards Has Been Updated
OCLC’s Bibliographic Formats and Standards (BFAS) has been completely updated with information from recent technical bulletins. The updated BFAS is now available from the OCLC Website <http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/default.htm>. The updates include the following information from recent technical bulletins:
- TB 240: Pinyin Conversion Project
- TB 241: National Library Control Number Changes
- TB 242: OCLC Symbol Expansion
- TB 244: OCLC-MARC Format Update 2001
- TB 246: Database Enrichment
- TB 247: OCLC-MARC Format Update 2002
- TB 249: OCLC-MARC Format Update 2003
- TB 250: Parallel Records
- TB 251: Connexion WorldCat Searching
- TB 252: OCLC-MARC Format Update 2006
- TB 253: ISBN and OCLC Number Changes
In addition to the material from technical bulletins, the first five chapters of BFAS have also been completely updated and revised. The first five chapters are also available in Spanish, at <http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/es/default.shtm>. On a related note, the revision of OCLC-MARC Records is currently underway. An updated OCLC-MARC Records will be available in the near future. The revision of BFAS remains ongoing and the printed edition is scheduled for the third quarter of 2007. Printed copies of BFAS will be available for $40.00, plus shipping and handling.
CatExpress Available in French
OCLC has translated one of its premier cataloging services, CatExpress, from English into French. The easy-to-use, efficient, Web-based copy cataloging solution is now available in French, which will meet the need for multilingual programs for Canada's significant French population and other French-speaking nations around the world. CatExpress requires minimal training and can be used by new staff members with ease, regardless of cataloging experience. Unlike Connexion, CatExpress is much more abbreviated, which allows users to navigate and master the program without being familiar with the full Connexion cataloging system. The system is recommended for smaller libraries needing basic copy cataloging for 250 to 7,000 titles. CatExpress enables users to retrieve related records from more than 76 million records on WorldCat, the world's most comprehensive bibliographic database.
Donohue Group Contributing Original MARC Records to WorldCat
The Donohue Group, Inc. (DGI), is a provider of professional contract technical and consulting services to libraries, historical societies and museums. Founded in 1984, DGI has been known to libraries for many years for quality contract cataloging. One of the services offered by DGI is Publishers Cataloging in Publication (PCIP). Within this program, a publisher who is not eligible to participate in the LC CIP program may contract with DGI for creation of PCIP. (More information about DGI’s PCIP program may be found at <http://www.dgiinc.com/pcip.htm>.) DGI is now contributing these PCIP records to WorldCat. As a result, cataloging for these titles will be available in WorldCat prior to a library’s acquisition of the title. This enables OCLC member libraries to do copy cataloging rather than costly original cataloging. PCIP prepared by DGI looks very similar to LC CIP. When added to WorldCat, the DGI PCIP records will be set at Encoding Level M, which is the OCLC code for batchload records that are less than full level. This Encoding Level may be upgraded by any member library with a full cataloging authorization. Doing such an upgrade earns the library a Minimal Level Upgrade credit. The records contain an incomplete 300 field, much like the LC CIP records do, though the DGI PCIP is often subfielded and may indicate whether illustrations will be present in the subfield $b. Other than the information that is not available pre-publication, the records are quite complete. They contain complete LC and Dewey classification numbers as well as LCSH and LC subject headings for children’s literature as appropriate. When a DGI record is added to WorldCat, a 938 field is added to the MARC record that contains the vendor code DONE. This code is indexed; vendor records are searchable in Connexion using the vendor index (Vendor (vn:) in the dropdown menu).
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Last updated: June 15, 2007
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