View this and past issues on the Web at http://www5.oclc.org/downloads/design/abstracts/

OCLC publishes 38th annual report to the membership

In the report, Jay Jordan, OCLC President and Chief Executive Officer, wrote that fiscal 2005 was “an eventful year—one of continuing innovation and steady growth. Libraries completed their migration to our new technological platform, and we began offering new services and programs on that platform. WorldCat grew faster than in any previous year since it began operation in 1971. Moreover, cooperation in our global network continued to increase with new forms and new partners.” Thirteen libraries and organizations are featured in the report, which has been mailed to regional service providers, global service providers and OCLC member libraries. In the back of the report is a timeline that traces significant events in OCLC’s history from 1971 to 2005.

View a PDF (3.5 MB) of the report

Are you streaming video on your Web site?

Eyetracking data show that users are easily distracted when watching video on Web sites, especially when the video shows a talking head and is optimized for broadcast rather than online viewing

As broadband connectivity has grown, Web sites have increased their use of video clips. Unfortunately, many of these videos are produced for television broadcast and are thus unsuitable for the online environment.

Broadcast TV is a medium for relaxation, where the “user” sits back and becomes immersed in whatever the program directors decided to air. In fact, TV users are usually called “viewers,” emphasizing their passive mode of engagement. In contrast, computer users sit forward and drive their own experience through a continuous set of choices and clicks.

Because of this fundamental difference in user experience, broadcast video feels boring on the Web. There’s nothing to do, no choices, no user control.

View report

New version of Connexion Client now available

Client 1.50 enhancements include:

Batch set or delete holdings without having to retrieve the records first
Apply constant data automatically to records downloaded via batch searching
Customize short index list in search and browse WorldCat dialogs
Limit WorldCat searches by material type using drop-down list of values

Review enhancements

OCLC welcomes these new member libraries

Southwestern Middle and High School
Location: Hanover, Indiana, USA
OCLC Symbol: INSMH
OCLC Network: INCOLSA

National Institute for Higher Education
Location: Northern Cape, South Africa
OCLC Symbol: ZANIH
OCLC Network: OCLC PICA

José María Vargas University
Location:Pembroke Pines, Florida, USA
OCLC Symbol: INGPL
OCLC Network: SOLINET

Membership guidelines and protocols

WorldCat update

WorldCat is the world’s most comprehensive bibliographic database. Updated at a rate of nearly one new record every 10 seconds, WorldCat contains more than 62 million bibliographic records and 1 billion holdings contributed by more than 8,900 libraries around the world. The Open WorldCat program makes the items in library collections—physical and digital, popular or special—discoverable by people searching the Internet.

See the latest WorldCat record

Subscribe/Unsubscribe | Questions/Comments

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.