Attention Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota libraries and schools!
More Connections for You
You may have seen the OCLC announcements about two "quickstart" options for libraries:
- ContentDM Quick Start
- WorldCat Local Quick Start
Did you know that most libraries and schools in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota qualify for both of these options because of the Minitex group subscription to the OCLC FirstSearch Base Package, which includes WorldCat? While these services are available at no charge, there may be significant staff time and other resources needed to implement these project-type options.
OCLC's CONTENTdm Digital Collection Management Software can make everything in your digital collections available to everyone, everywhere. No matter the format--local history archives, newspapers, books, maps, slide libraries or audio/video--CONTENTdm can handle the storage, management and delivery of your collections to users across the Web.
As a FirstSearch Base Package subscriber, many libraries in the Minitex region are eligible to receive:
- The CONTENTdm software hosted by OCLC
- Three Project Clients for building digital collections
- 10GB of storage for up to 3,000 digital items
If you find that your requirements exceed any of these limits, OCLC will work with you to review purchasing options to continue seamless growth of your collections.
OCLC has created training modules and provided resource information and the form to activate your CONTENTdm "quick start" hosted instance.
- Attend your free Orientation session
This live, free Web session will teach you how to build your first CONTENTdm collection using your desktop browser. This session also will provide more information about your CONTENTdm "quick start" instance. You'll need a PC and an internet connection to attend. A question and answer period, along with a tour of the online help system, will follow the demonstration.
- Activate your CONTENTdm instance
Are you ready to launch your digital collections? Do you have digital objects and metadata ready to upload to your CONTENTdm Web site? You can get started with CONTENTdm now.
Complete this Web form.
- Attend a free CONTENTdm Project Client session
After your CONTENTdm instance is activated, you should attend this live, free Web session to learn how to use the powerful client application to load batches of digital items, as well as more complex objects such as postcards, documents and books.
WorldCat Local quick start provides a single search result that delivers your library's resources and those of other WorldCat libraries. WorldCat Local quick start offers libraries:
- Display of a local library's holdings first in search results, followed by the holdings of other WorldCat libraries
- Local branding of a WorldCat search box, URL and user interface
- Links to an existing OpenURL resolver for access from the over 58 million article citations in WorldCat.org to the online full text to which libraries subscribe
- Integration of existing OCLC delivery/interlibrary loan services (WorldCat Resource Sharing, ILLiad)
- Interoperability with a single local library catalog for real-time item availability information and place holds
- Access to the same social networking tools available on WorldCat.org
WorldCat Local provides libraries with the following additional functionality:
- Group-level searching
- Interoperability with a second integrated library system (ILS)
- Additional integration of your library's print, electronic and digital materials, making it an even better way to help users find exactly what they want
Please note: Availability of interoperability features will vary by ILS. Interoperability is available now for most libraries with the following integrated library systems and methods: Ex Libris Aleph (Z39.50), Ex Libris Voyager, SirsiDynix Horizon, SirsiDynix Unicorn and Symphony, Innovative Interfaces Millennium and INNOPAC.
Libraries with other Web-accessible ILSs will benefit from features such as local branding, ranked search results and links to existing services now. Expanded access to real-time availability interoperability will be added in phases, beginning with a prominent link to library catalogs later in 2009 and a method for libraries to create their own interoperability with WorldCat in 2010.
To learn more about how you can make the process as fast and efficient as possible:
- Read OCLC's Frequently Asked Questions document.
- Sign up for one or all of these WorldCat Local-specific Webinars:
- Introduction to WorldCat Local "quick start"
- Ready, set, go! Tips for a successful WorldCat Local introduction
- How to Customize WorldCat Local
- Batchload Solutions for WorldCat Local "quick start"
- Read the OCLC Service Configuration Guide to learn how to configure products and services to which you subscribe on the WorldCat.org platform.
- Take a look at what WorldCat Local looks like and how it's working for Macalester College or the University of Delaware Library. Note: These two libraries subscribe to WorldCat Local.
While their sites include some functionality not in WorldCat Local "quick start," they do provide a general example of how the service works.
- Watch a video of implementation and use experiences at active WorldCat libraries.
- Sign up for e-mail updates about WorldCat and related services.
To find out more, visit the WorldCat Local quick start web page.
What next? Once you've read about the quick start services, watched the videos, taken the webinars, and signed up to undertake a project, please let us know. We'd love to hear from you. And, if you need some additional help or direction, don't hesitate to ask.
