>As a result of Baker & Taylor acquiring Blackwell,
we have to decide on another online ordering interface. I would be
interested in knowing the pros and >cons of GOBI & OASIS.
Looking forward to your response.
Re: GOBI3
I can comment on GOBI; I have no experience with OASIS. The GOBI
database includes in-print and out of print titles. You can search
using a quick search box or advanced search which gives many standard
options. Retrieval of records is relatively fast, although GOBI
does slow down during the peak 10-2 EST hours. Part of that is our
network problem, so it may not be noticeable in your library.
Retrieved search results can be displayed in 3 ways: list, short bib, and
full record. There are lots of glitzy filter options, but we don't
use those often. The records list inventory and availability, which
is very useful. We have OhioLINK consortial data that we can toggle
to; we've also set up GOBI so clicking on the ISBN will link directly to
the same title in OhioLINK, so we can check holdings without having to
reenter a search. You can set the ISBN search link to your local
catalog or other database. To search consortial holdings, you'd
need to speak with YBP to set up a group of peers. In addition to
the basic cost of GOBI3, we pay an additional increment to get the book
review service. This provides a link to full-text reviews from
certain journals. Some titles also have links to book jacket images
and tables of content.
GOBI is relatively flexible in terms of setting up profiles for
individuals to receive email notification of print or ebook titles
profiled for approval. We no longer have a physical (print)
approval plan. Collection managers can "select" a title
that is put into a hold file for the acquisitions dept. to review.
We use the process where we download 'selected' titles in a batch file,
decide which to order, then upload the records back to YBP via electronic
ordering. We have separate accounts to funnel orders into either
the PromptCat or shelf-ready workflows.
In each bib record, you can toggle to a screen that contains your
library's order history: selected date, fund, etc. / date the
selection was downloaded / date the order was placed and our p.o. number
/ date the item was shipped, etc. I believe YBP keeps customer
history online for about 4 years. You can sign up for YBP email
updates on GOBI activity, changes, etc.
OSU makes heavy use of YBP's "folder" system. Collection
managers can store individual records, retrieval search results, weekly
notification files, etc. in folders that remain on GOBI
indefinitely. Folders can be private or shared. A private
folder is visible only to that login, while shared folders are visible to
all logins.
Each individual needs to have a login and password set up by a local
administrator. The login sorts users into group functionally, e.g.
search and view only; select titles to be ordered; place orders; system
administrator. One hint: password control is pretty
primitive. If a person forgets their password, their email
notification slip profile must be rebuilt from scratch. The system
administrator can't retrieve or reset passwords. So we assign
passwords centrally and ask users not to change them. Logins also
govern which templates are available to a selector to apply order data to
requests (e.g. fund, location, intitials).
YBP profiling is based on LC class number range, supplemented by a choice
of topical descriptors. Many of these pull together
interdisciplinary topics that don't reside in one call number range
(e.g. environmental; Latin American studies; nanotechnology).
They also use non-subject descriptors in profiling (e.g. academic level;
binding, print or ebook; series; country of publication, etc.)
We have always had good experiences with YBP reps and customer
service. If you have questions, I'd be happy to answer they
off-line or via acqnet.
Marsha
Marsha J. Hamilton
Associate Professor and Head, Monographs Department
The Ohio State University Libraries
610 Ackerman Road
Columbus, Ohio 43202-4500 USA
phone: (614) 247-7461 / fax: (614) 292-2015 /
hamilton.8@osu.edu
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Received on Wed Feb 10 2010 - 13:25:42 EST