Introducing OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing

OCLC ILL is moving to FirstSearch. With this move comes a new name: OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing. This migration will allow resource sharing staff to take advantage of existing FirstSearch features such as improved searching, and will also allow OCLC to introduce new features and improved functionality. WorldCat Resource Sharing includes all major lending and borrowing functionality, as well as access to the ILL Policies Directory and the Message File (now called the Request Manager). Constant Data and Custom Holdings records previously entered through the ILL Web interface, Passport, or ILL ME are available in the WorldCat Resource Sharing.

At the present time, libraries must have a FirstSearch account to use WorldCat Resource Sharing. Before you can access WorldCat Resource Sharing, some behind-the-scenes set-up in the FirstSearch administrative module may be required. Whether you need to change settings in your administrative module depends on the number of ILL and FirstSearch authorizations your library has. Libraries with just one ILL authorization and one FirstSearch authorization have already had their authorizations automatically linked by OCLC. These libraries may log on to the FirstSearch/ILL Staff View at http://firstsearch.oclc.org/ using their ILL authorization and password. Libraries with more than one FirstSearch or ILL authorization need to link authorizations via the FirstSearch administrative module before they can use WorldCat Resource Sharing. Here's how to make that link:

1. Go to firstsearch.oclc.org/admin.
2. Log on using your FirstSearch administrative authorization and password.
3. Select the Resource Sharing tab.
4. Select the Staff ILL Settings link.
5. Type your ILL authorization in the Authorization box and click Add. Repeat for any additional ILL authorization numbers.
6. Click Save Changes.

After your ILL authorization has been successfully linked to your FirstSearch account, ILL staff can logon to the staff interface in one of two ways:

• Go to the FirstSearch logon page at http://firstsearch.oclc.org, then log on using the ILL authorization and password.
• Within an active FirstSearch session, click on the Staff View link, then enter the ILL authorization and password.

In December 2004, all libraries that have an OCLC resource sharing authorization but do not have a FirstSearch authorization will be given access to WorldCat Resource Sharing in FirstSearch. At that point, you will be able to enter your resource sharing authorization and password at the FirstSearch logon screen and enter WorldCat Resource Sharing. After logging on, you will be taken directly to the WorldCat search page. If a library has multiple FirstSearch accounts, one should be designated for use by ILL staff. The FirstSearch account used must include WorldCat.

Users will find that once they are logged in to WorldCat Resource Sharing, its appearance and use is extremely similar to the ILL Web interface.

A Nylink training workshop “OCLC ILL on FirstSearch: New Platform, New Features, New Opportunities” will be held at SENYLRC on Friday, October 29, 2004 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. For further information and online registration, go to http://nylink.suny.edu/training/ill_fs.htm.

To learn more about the changes taking place with OCLC ILL, check out these useful links:

FirstSearch ILL Staff View Tutorial:
www5.oclc.org/downloads/tutorials/firstsearch/sv/rsbasics/intro/index.html

Managing Staff View Settings: www.oclc.org/support/documentation/firstsearch/managing/adminref/admin_ref_staffill_gen/admin_ref_staffill.htm

Quick Start: Resource Sharing Staff View in FirstSearch:
www.oclc.org/ill/migration/quickstart_sharing_staffview.pdf

List of Future Enhancements:
www.oclc.org/ill/migration/enhancements_upcoming.htm

Deciding When to Migrate:
www.oclc.org/ill/migration/migration_info.htm

By Jonathan Penn, Resource Sharing Librarian, Nylink

Southeastern News Online is published bi-monthly by SENYLRC staff.