The first public beta version of WorldCat Local is now available at the
University of Washington Libraries and you are invited to try it.
WC Local can be reached through a link on the UW gateway:
http://www.lib.washington.edu
or directly at uwashington.worldcat.org. (Note: the customized landing
page for this address has not yet been installed.)
The goal is to provide a single search interface for local holdings,
consortial holdings (in our case, the Orbis Cascade Alliance), and all
other WorldCat libraries. WC Local also provides a number of article
citations. On the delivery side, WorldCat Local integrates local and
consortial delivery options with interlibrary loan, and of course, online
access. By breaking down a number of silos, we hope to offer users easier
and more convenient access to the quality resources we and other libraries
hold.
Note that this is a beta product. In fact, design is explicitly based on
*user* input through ongoing usability testing. Changes will be made
monthly, and enhancements to the worldcat.org platform will roll down to
WC Local as well.
Joe Kiegel
Head, Monographic Services Division
Univ. of Washington Libraries
Received on Mon Apr 30 2007 - 16:01:52 EDT