This is a message from CTLS-L. Selecting "Reply" will send a message to the originator. Selecting "Reply to All" will send a message to the entire list. --------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 18:25:25 -0800 (PST) From: "Diedre Conkling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: publib <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: OCLC Open WorldCat Pilot
Ok, this is not quite the same as the Amazon news but I think it is almost as significant. Links to 2 million WorldCat records and the libraries owning the materials should be showing up in Google very soon. (Maybe even today.)
These records also already show up in searches on Abebooks, Alibris, Antiquarian Booksellers of America, BookPage and HCI Bibliography.
OCLC is negotiating with other search engines to do the same kind of thing.
I took a look in BookPage to see how the records appear. I just clicked on a title of a book being reviewed and found a square that says "Buy or borrow this book." Then I clicked "find it at your local library" entered my zip code and libraries in the area appeared.
I decided that I needed to update the information OCLC has for us so did go to the OCLC site and filled out the form to update webpage information so that the link to our libraries would be even more useful.
Anyway, here is the information from OCLC:
http://www.oclc.org/worldcat/pilot/default.htm :
The Open WorldCat pilot is a year-long initiative that makes library resources available from nonlibrary Web sites. The pilot aims to test the effectiveness of Web search engines in guiding users to library-owned materials, making libraries more visible to Web users and more accessible from the Web sites many people turn to first.
What Web users will experience
The pilot marks the first time OCLC has made the unique resources of WorldCat records available outside the traditional library environment. A Web user who uses a search engine or other site to locate a particular item may be pointed to a library that owns the item based on records in WorldCat, the world's most comprehensive bibliographic database. See how easy the Open WorldCat pilot is to use.
Promoting the value of libraries The goal is to help libraries provide faster, more convenient service to current and potential users through familiar Web channels, and to point more people—even those who don't typically visit libraries—to library collections for the material they want. The pilot promotes the value and relevance of libraries on a scale far greater than any library or group could achieve alone.
Backed by research and expert opinion OCLC is uniquely positioned to extend libraries' online presence in this cooperative manner. Market research indicated that libraries saw value in becoming more visible on the Web and responded favorably to the pilot concept. The pilot was launched after one year of extensive consultation with leaders in the library and information community, including delegates to OCLC Members Council, library-type and strategic service-area committees, and focus groups hosted by OCLC regional service providers.
Measured results OCLC will carefully evaluate feedback from pilot participants and focus groups as well as click-through statistics and other metrics to understand the pilot's strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, the results will be considered in the light of the question, "Does this help libraries and their users?"
Which libraries can join the pilot The Open WorldCat pilot is available to libraries that have contributed cataloging records and/or ownership information to WorldCat. Learn how to participate in the pilot.
Have questions about the pilot? Read the answers to our frequently asked questions.
Diedre Conkling
Lincoln County Library District P.O. Box 2027, Newport, OR 97365 Phone & Fax: (541) 265-3066 Work: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Home: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Laurie Mahaffey Central Texas Library System P. O. Box 2287 Austin TX 78768-2287 512-476-1668 ext 16 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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