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OCLC releases white paper on e-learning

Created by the OCLC E-learning Task Force, Libraries and the Enhancement of E-learning provides a look at how college coursework is being enhanced electronically and online. And it explores the role of library cooperation as campuses expand and enhance the instructional technology environment. Among the paper's recommendations:

OCLC should embed its services for libraries via course management systems.
OCLC should ensure that WorldCat is able to accommodate and aggregate the metadata that would allow the discovery and exchange of e-learning objects both within and among institutions and into and out of individual library systems.
As metadata capture is key to support for the entire life cycle, including the discovery phase, it is critical that OCLC work with the vendors who support the creation of e-learning objects to integrate metadata capture into the creation process.

Download e-learning white paper

Learn about the Million Book Digital Library Project

Dr. Gloriana St. Clair, Dean, University Libraries, Carnegie Mellon University, visited OCLC recently to discuss the Million Book Digital Library Project. This is an international library project that strives to create a free-to-read, searchable collection of one million books, available to everyone over the Internet. Dr. St. Clair’s presentation focused on the development and growth of the project and highlighted opportunities and challenges in collaboration, content and sustainability.

View presentation slides
Listen to the presentation
Million Book Project FAQ

OCLC Connexion client update

During October, more than 600 libraries logged on to the OCLC Connexion cataloging service using the new Connexion client, a Windows-based interface that was released four weeks ago. The software was downloaded nearly 2,000 times from the OCLC Web site. The first release of the client offers new productivity tools, such as macros, keyboard customization and integrated label printing. Functionality to be added in future releases includes a macro recorder, additional authorities functionality, local files and batch processing. OCLC member libraries can download and begin using the client with an existing cataloging authorization and password. The OCLC Web site provides complete information in support of the client interface, including documentation, a tutorial and tips to help Passport users plan their migration to Connexion.

Connexion client Web site
Download the client software
Migrating from Passport

OCLC welcomes the following new member libraries

La Mesa Spring Valley School District
Location: La Mesa, California, USA
OCLC Symbol: LMSIL
OCLC Network: Independent

Kapi'olani Community College Library
Location: Honolulu, Haiwaii, USA
OCLC Symbol: KACCL
OCLC Network: OCLC Western Service Center

King Abdulaziz Public Library
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
OCLC Symbol: SUKAB
OCLC Network: OCLC PICA

More information about OCLC participating institutions

WorldCat update

Every 12 seconds an OCLC member library adds a new record to WorldCat, which contains more than 53 million records representing 901,715,016 holding locations as of November 1, 2003. Every 4 seconds an OCLC member library fills an interlibrary loan request using WorldCat, which has supported 130,665,526 interlibrary loan requests as of November 1, 2003. A library user searches WorldCat using the OCLC FirstSearch service every second.

See the latest WorldCat record

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OCLC Abstracts uses the Internet to deliver timely information about OCLC services, programs, news and events directly to subscribers' desktops. This e-journal augments and complements OCLC's Web site and print communications.