View as Web page | Manage e- mail subscriptions | Forward to a friend
May 2010 | Vol. 1, No. 7 | ISSN: 2152- 8993
Eleanor Sathan
Coordinator of
Reference
Services at
Memorial Hall
Library in
Andover, MA;
Coordinator of
MassAnswers
Assessing your points of
access to information—
content, capabilities and
convenience
The Reference Department of Memorial Hall Library
in Andover, Massachusetts, provides a platform to
assess the impact of our library’s resources on the
community. As we answer questions we receive
anecdotal information to determine whether or not
we are providing the content that our community
needs. We are able at the same time to promote the
various avenues we offer for patrons to get quality
reference service: online chat and IM through
QuestionPoint, as well as an e- mail address and a
phone number for texting the reference desk
directly. As the competing sources for information
explode, it is the responsibility of all Reference
Librarians to capture feedback from their patrons.
Since all communities have their own unique
characteristics, libraries must evaluate the
information needs of their own patrons and develop
strategies to deliver reference service to their
population in the best way possible.
It is best to begin with three key areas in mind:
content, capabilities and convenience. From success
stories to tips and tricks to help you maximize your
use of OCLC services, the articles in this issue are
dedicated to various aspects of these key areas.
— Eleanor
Eleanor presented at our session on Best Practices
in Virtual Reference: Making the Case for Virtual
Reference at ALA Midwinter. You may view her
presentation here.
In this issue:
Collection development
success for Butte- Silver
Bow Public Library
Stanley Library at Ferrum
College boosts interlibrary
loan by 50 percent
North Carolina State
Archives enters the
150,000th record
Successfully lead your
library through tough times
Congratulations, Americas
Regional Council
Candidates!
OCLC Developer Network
and Mashathon participants
create 12 new apps
Register for our sessions at
ALA Annual
Free webinar— OCLC 101: A
guide to your cooperative
Library listings from
WorldCat added to Book
Bazaar iPhone app
WebJunction– Florida
launched to offer online
learning, community
sharing to state’s library
staffs
Reason # 5: Improve access to your whole
collection— print, digital and electronic
Lee Phillips, Director, Butte-
Silver Bow Public Library
Butte- Silver Bow Public Library
collection— print, digital and electronic
resources.
Services like batch processing, eSerials Holdings, contract
cataloging, digitization and link management help make
WorldCat a place where your users can connect with the unique
value your library provides.
View all 25 Reasons to Choose WorldCat ››
Feature Stories
Detailed view of holdings and comparison data guides collection
development for Butte- Silver Bow Public Library
When Lee Phillips was hired as director of the Butte- Silver Bow Public
Library, one of the first things she wanted to do was get to know the
collection— in detail. The library, located in historic downtown Butte,
Montana, has supported city and county residents, and to continue
serving their interests, Phillips decided an analysis of the entire collection
was essential.
“ I was unsure of the condition of the collection,” she says. Occasionally
weeding and looking at the circulation of individual titles was how the staff
managed the collection. But that was time- consuming and limited in view.
“ We wanted a more informed process,” says Phillips. In addition, she
wanted to know how the collection compared to holdings in libraries of similar size— another level of
management complexity and potential time drain.
After researching her options, it quickly became apparent to Phillips that WorldCat Collection Analysis
from OCLC could provide exactly what she needed:
A detailed view of the entire collection— searchable, sortable and reportable by characteristics
such as age and genre
The ability to compare side- by- side with other libraries’ holdings.
Once set up, it didn’t take long to see the advantages of
WorldCat Collection Analysis. For example, the staff was able to
isolate and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the
children’s collection. “ This was a major benefit since this part of
our collection had very disparate areas that needed
development,” explains Phillips. “ If we had not been able to look
at the collection separately, we would not have seen that the
science and biography categories were not current.”
Age turned out to be a recurring theme for other areas of the
collection, as well. “ The age of our nonfiction was unacceptable.
We had areas that had not been weeded or updated in 20 years.”
With this information now at their fingertips, the staff was able to
prioritize acquisitions.
Read the entire article ››
How Ferrum College’s Stanley
Library boosts interlibrary loan
by 50 percent using WorldCat
Local “ quick start”
Staff at the Stanley Library on the Ferrum
College campus were looking for a way to make
WorldCat more accessible to their users at a
time when they were also experimenting with
federated searching.
“ We wanted to make it [ easier] for students and
faculty to discover books available by interlibrary
loan,” explains Cy Dillon, Executive Director of
the Stanley Library. “ Resource sharing is an
essential part of our strategic plan. [ Our goal
was] to help our students take advantage of the
resources available through interlibrary loan,
and promote critical thinking as part of the
research process.”
The Stanley Library turned toward WorldCat
Local “ quick start” to help achieve its goals. Staff
members soon discovered the configuration of
the new discovery- to- delivery service was fast
and easy. Dillon explains that no seminars were
required, and that e- mail between OCLC and
his library staff made the configuration process
go smoothly. It took “ perhaps two hours,” said
Dillon.
The library’s staff was informed about the
addition of WorldCat Local “ quick start” at a
meeting, where it was decided that
implementation would be a top priority for the
fall 2009 semester. The WorldCat Local “ quick
start” search box was placed in the center of
the library’s home page where “ it was being
used the day it appeared on our site,” noted
Dillon. He also stated that the library staff
enjoyed the ease of access available with
WorldCat Local “ quick start” when helping
researchers explore book resources.
Read the entire article ››
Above: Cy Dillon, Executive Director, Stanley Library
Below: Ferrum College Campus
News and Events
North Carolina State
Archives enters the
150,000th record using
the WorldCat Digital
Collection Gateway
In April, a record titled, “ The Old North State,” from the North Carolina State Archives, marked the
150,000th record entered into WorldCat using the WorldCat Digital Collection Gateway. The item is
part of the State Archives’ North Carolina Newspaper Digitization Project and can be viewed at
www. worldcat. org/ oclc/ 601578348. The record is the August 5, 1870 issue of The Old North State , a
title variance of the Carolina Watchman , a historic newspaper from Salisbury, North Carolina.
The WorldCat Digital Collection Gateway provides CONTENTdm users like the North Carolina State
Archives, with a Web- based, self- service tool to upload metadata for unique digital collections to
WorldCat— the world’s largest database of bibliographic information. Once records are uploaded, the
digital collections receive unparalleled visibility through WorldCat and on the Web. In the next several
months, OCLC will expand the Gateway’s capabilities to support all OAI- compliant repositories.
Read all about it ››
How to successfully lead your library through tough times
While library services involve many roles and staff or board members,
the guidance and driving force of many strategic initiatives originate
with the director or manager. Library leaders today are making vital
strategic decisions, preparing for and embracing change, and helping
staff and stakeholders work together effectively. Use these
WebJunction resources to hone your leadership skills:
Understand the essential competencies needed for effective
library leadership.
Enroll in our new series of Leadership Essentials courses
Explore the resources under Organizational Management
View archive of the May 5 webinar Accidental Leadership with
George Needham
Congratulations, Americas Regional Council Candidates!
The Americas Regional Council ( ARC) Nominating Committee has announced the slate of candidates
for the inaugural election of the OCLC Americas Regional Council. Voting representatives of OCLC
members in the Americas Region will elect Americas Regional Council Executive Committee
Members and Global Council Delegates. Once elected, these member- leaders will be the voice of all
OCLC members throughout the Americas as part of the new OCLC governance structure, which is
comprised of three Regional Councils and a Global Council. Election results will be announced at the
ARC Annual Meeting, June 24– 25, 2010, at ALA Annual in Washington, D. C.
ARC Annual Meeting, June 24– 25, 2010, at ALA Annual in Washington, D. C.
View the slate of candidates
Read the candidates’ brief biographies
Connect with the candidates on the ARC
Member- to- Member site
Learn more about the ARC Elections 2010
ARC Annual Meeting at ALA: Register
online now to attend in- person or virtually,
as portions of the meeting will be streamed
live.
For more information, send an e- mail to:
regionalcouncil. americas@ oclc. org
OCLC Developer Network and
Mashathon participants create
12 new apps
Members of the OCLC Developer Network
brainstorm and code mash- ups with their local
systems and other Web services to take
advantage of all that WorldCat, the world’s
largest and most comprehensive bibliographic
database, has to offer. As a result of these
efforts, our members have added 12 new
applications to our Web Services Gallery, which
now totals more than 30. From linking in
WorldCat. org to streamlining ILL requests, these
new apps demonstrate new ways for you to
expand the benefits of WorldCat in your library.
Visit the OCLC Web Services Gallery to
see what’s possible with OCLC Services
››
Registration is now open for OCLC
sessions at ALA
Attending ALA? Register today for these OCLC-sponsored
sessions and more!
OCLC Americas Regional Council Annual
Meeting ( OCLC members and nonmembers
alike are invited to attend)
OCLC Symposium: The Next Generation of
Publishing
24/ 7 Reference Cooperative Celebrates 10th
Anniversary
Web- scale or Bust: Harnessing Cooperative
Innovation for Management Services
Last chance to register for
the Western CONTENTdm
Users Group Meeting
June 3– 4, 2010
This event is scheduled for June 3– 4,
2010, at the University of Utah’s J.
Willard Marriott Library. A preconference
will take place on June 2, with sessions
on OCLC’s Digital Collection Gateway,
Preservation of Digital Objects, and
hands- on basic training on
CONTENTdm.
Innovation for Management Services
OCLC Update Breakfast
The Shortest Distance Between Two Clicks:
From User to Article in No Time Flat
QuestionPoint Users Group Meeting
Register now at www. oclc. org/ info/ ala/ ››
CONTENTdm.
Register for the Western
CONTENTdm Users Group
Meeting ››
Coming up— Conferences and events
Join OCLC and our Partners at these upcoming conferences and events throughout the next few
months:
Association of Christian Librarians – June 9, 2010
Special Library Association – June 13– 16, 2010
ATLA American Theological Association – June 17– 18, 2010
ALA Annual 2010 – June 24– 30, 2010
Publishers Symposium – June 29, 2010
View all upcoming conferences and events ››
Visit our Presentation Center to view past presentation slides and video recordings ››
Support and Training
Monthly Member Q& A: What is Qwidget?
Our Member Services team tells us that members are curious about QuestionPoint Qwidget. Here is
some information to help you learn more about how to effectively integrate Qwidget throughout your
library’s Web presence.
Question: What is QuestionPoint Qwidget and how does it work?
OCLC QuestionPoint Qwidget is a chat widget or chat box that you can place on your library’s Web
site, WorldCat Local pages, or on your Facebook page, or other online venues to connect with your
users. It is integrated with QuestionPoint chat and allows you to monitor both the Qwidget and
general chat using one interface, without opening multiple windows. Earlier this year, we also
announced our Mobile Webkit Qwidget, which allows users who navigate the Web via their mobile
devices to use an optimized Qwidget to connect with their librarian. Users can bookmark it directly to
their home screens. Qwidget is simple to set up and comes in several styles and options.
Read more about QuestionPoint Qwidget ››
Help for patrons using Qwidget
Need help setting up your Qwidget? Send an e- mail to support@ oclc. org ››
Our Training Portal features
upcoming online learning
Free webinar— OCLC 101: A guide
to your cooperative
upcoming online learning
opportunities
OCLC’s Training Portal allows you to view and register
for courses on many topics available from all of our
Training Partners. From cataloging and resource
sharing to digital collections management, the Training
Portal lists the courses and resources you want and
need:
Cataloging and Metadata
Digital Collection Management
Resource Sharing and Delivery
Reference and Discovery
to your cooperative
This free webinar offers an overview
of the benefits of membership in
OCLC, valuable resources and
opportunities for participation.
Designed for anyone who wants to
learn more about the OCLC
cooperative, this free session is open
to all. Join us as we review everything
from WorldCat to Web- scale
Management Services, valuable
support and training resources,
comprehensive research and advocacy
initiatives and much more!
Thursday, June 3, 2010, from
1: 00 – 2: 00 p. m. ( ET)
OCLC Partner Updates
Library listings from WorldCat
added to Book Bazaar iPhone
app
Another comparison shopping app for iPhone
now displays listings for local libraries in the U. S.
through WorldCat. Book Bazaar is the latest in a
series of mobile apps designed for consumers
that now include local library results. Developed
by Bayview Labs in Mountain View, California,
USA, Book Bazaar also lets a user compare
prices of books at online stores and local
bookstores.
A user simply types in the book he is interested
in, using a title, author, keyword or ISBN search.
The ability to browse titles is also available. The
app uses the WorldCat Search API and
WorldCat Registry APIs to deliver results for
libraries nearby that hold the item in WorldCat,
the world’s largest library catalog. Local library
phone numbers, URLs, location and mapping
information is also available.
Read the entire article ››
WebJunction– Florida launched
to offer online learning,
community sharing to state’s
library staffs
Online courses help keep library staff skills
current to meet the expanding needs of the
community
WebJunction, the leader in online learning for library staff, has partnered with the State Library and
Archives of Florida to launch the new WebJunction- Florida. Library staff in Florida can now access
courses at no individual cost through the WebJunction community, and use the site to keep their skills
up- to- date and help their libraries respond to current patron needs. As part of this online learning
community, members can take courses on a wide range of technology and library subjects— as well
as connect with other library staff— creating an engaging learning experience.
This partnership takes advantage of WebJunction’s Custom Catalog service, designed to maximize
the customization and reach of training through a centralized training catalog with streamlined
registration for all users. All WebJunction- Florida participants will be able to access courses,
regardless of geographic location or library size. Additionally, as a part of the Custom Catalog,
WebJunction- Florida will be able to add unique, Florida- specific courses to the extensive course
offerings from WebJunction that form the foundation of the catalog.
Read the entire news release ››
Why did I receive this
message?
This message was sent to %%$ email%% because you have previously subscribed
to or expressed interest in news from OCLC or because your institution is an
OCLC member or participant.
Don't want to receive these
updates?
Unsubscribe %%$ email%% from this list.
Ensure delivery of future
messages to your inbox
Please add cooperativeenews@ oclc. org to your address book or list of " safe
senders."
Did a friend forward this
message to you?
Sign up to receive e- mail updates directly from OCLC.
OCLC respects your privacy Read our privacy policy or contact us at privacy@ oclc. org.
© %%$ builtin. year%% OCLC OCLC 6565 Kilgour Place, Dublin OH USA 43017- 3395
oclc@ oclc. org 1- 614- 764- 6000 1- 800- 848- 5878 ( USA)
OCLC Cooperative eNews
