David Pattern wrote:
> OCLC announces "quick start" version of the OCLC WorldCat Local service
>
>
They've been hinting that this is the direction they're working in for a
while. I'm trying to imagine how it will work, and the description is
pretty vague. In some areas it seems to want to interface with your
current ILS; in others it wants to replace it. I think it's a continuum:
"Work is already underway at OCLC to add circulation and delivery, print
and electronic acquisitions, and license management functionality to
WorldCat Local that will allow libraries to phase out their ILS and take
advantage of these business automation services provided in a cloud
computing model based on the representation of their collection in
WorldCat.org."
OCLC already does ILL, but that's mainly because ILL depends on
interaction with other libraries. Some of the other functions, like
circulation or acquisitions, don't currently need to take advantage of
information about other libraries in order to work. Will there be an
advantage to having them run by OCLC over a local system, other than
outsourcing the system aspects? What will the disadvantages be? What
about all of the customization that libraries always ask vendors to do
for certain functions (acquisitions, notably)? Will OCLC provide
customization?
I love the statement in the FAQ:
*"NOTE: * The OCLC control number
<http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/en/fixedfield/oclc.shtm> is required and
must be consistently indexed and prefixed in your library's catalog in
order for item location and availability status to display."
What this essentially means is that if you have a Sirsi/Dynix, Ex
Libris, etc., ILS, your current vendor has to serve up the OCLC number
consistently so that you can begin to replace them with OCLC. Hmmm.
I really wonder now about the policy statement on 'Reasonable Use' which
is defined as any use of WorldCat records that "substantially replicates
the function, purpose, and/or size of WorldCat." If they move into ILS
functions, will other ILS's be treated as rivals who shouldn't be
allowed to make use of WorldCat records? No, that would just be too... too.
kc
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Karen Coyle / Digital Library Consultant
kcoyle@kcoyle.net http://www.kcoyle.net
ph.: 510-540-7596 skype: kcoylenet
fx.: 510-848-3913
mo.: 510-435-8234
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Received on Thu Apr 23 2009 - 17:01:10 EDT