How do I get a new OCLC authorization or make changes to what I have? I have a new employee and need to make changes.

All OCLC online users can request to add, edit, or delete OCLC authorizations by using the OCLC Access and Authorization online form. You can do things like:

1. Change the name in the greeting (e.g. "Hello Sally" - Sally is long gone)
2. Change the password when a staff member leaves (you should always do this so your former staff member can no longer log into OCLC as your institution)
3. Add a new authorization when needed and delete authorizations that you no longer use or need (sometimes changing an existing authorization will be fine and you don't need to get a new one)
4. Add a service to an existing authorization (e.g. add ILL to an existing cataloging authorization)

After you submit the form it comes to NELINET for approval, then we send it on to OCLC for OCLC to make the changes. OCLC will notify you directly when the change has been made.

How do I get a list of my current OCLC authorizations and passwords? My authorization and password were embedded in the logon page and now that I have a new computer that is all gone.

NELINET is able to provide you with an up-to-date list. Just ask us any time and we will email you a list of your current authorizations with their passwords and other settings.

How do I order new OCLC products and services? I want to order something new.

Use the OCLC Online Service Center (OSC) to order FirstSearch, WorldCat Cataloging Partners, CatExpress (individual, not group) subscriptions, Bibliographic Notification Service, eSerials Holdings Service, and WorldCat Collection Analysis. You can also order OCLC reports using the Online Service Center.

To use the OSC you will need to create an account that is linked to your institution. Then when you want to place an order you will log in and place your order. You can check your order history and manage your account as well.

OTHER PRODUCTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE OSC IN FUTURE, BUT FOR NOW OTHER PRODUCTS ARE ORDERED IN DIFFERENT WAYS. On the OCLC website, check the product page for the product you want to order. On the menu on the left-hand side click on "ordering" to see how the product is to be ordered.

How do I find out how many holdings I have in OCLC? I have no idea how many holdings we have, or if the numbers have any relation to the number of titles I have in my local catalog.

NELINET has access to a report that shows the total holdings, as well as number of cataloging transactions (includes adds, edits, and deletes) and first and latest dates for your cataloging transactions. Ask us if you need this information and we will be glad to send it to you.

How do I get my OCLC holdings to be in sync with my local holdings? I get requests for things I do not have.

OCLC is offering all libraries a one-time opportunity to do what they call a "reclamation project." Your library sends OCLC a file of records of everything you have in your local catalog, and OCLC matches it against the records in the OCLC database that have your holdings symbol. Where it is missing your symbol is added, and where there is no match with a record coming in (meaning you no longer have the item) your holding symbol is removed. In the end, the holdings in OCLC will match what you have in your local catalog.

You can get started by talking to a NELINET consultant about the process. After you have decided to start the project:

1. You will need to fill out the OCLC Batchload Order form to get the process started with OCLC.
2. OCLC will send you a project number
3. You send OCLC your data
4. Your project analyst will contact you and work with you to set up the project. 
5. The project will run and OCLC will be in sync with your local holdings. 

How do I get my holdings to display in WorldCat.org (WorldCat on the web)?

Your library must BOTH contribute current holdings to OCLC AND have a subscription to the WorldCat database on FirstSearch for your holdings to appear in WorldCat.org.

How do I make OCLC records better, or fix OCLC records that have errors (like typos) in them?

OCLC is working on ways to allow users to do more in terms of making changes to OCLC master records and hope to have a pilot in place in the near future (planned for late 2008 or early 2009). OCLC is currently calling it the "Expert Community Experiment" and wants to test the idea of "social cataloging" based on the Wikipedia model. With this model more users will be allowed to make changes to master records.   

In the meantime, there are changes you, as a full cataloging user, are allowed to make. Although libraries with Enhance and CONSER authorizations are allowed to do more, OCLC members with full authorizations can still make valuable contributions to making OCLC records better.

• "Enrich records" by adding new content that was not included in the record. You can add content such as call numbers, subjects, and tables of contents. What you can do is specified in OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards, section 5.3
• Upgrade minimal level records. See what you are allowed to do in section 5.2

You will receive credits for your activity in enriching and upgrading OCLC records. You will see the credit activity on your OCLC invoice for the months where you had such activity.

As a full cataloging user, you cannot change any existing content in a full level record. However, it is very easy to report errors and changes to be made to OCLC.

• In either the Connexion Client or Browser: when you have a record on the screen that needs fixing, go to Action > Report Error.
• In the dialog box say what needs to be changed/added and report the error and click on the "Report Error" button.
• Your form and a copy of the record will go to OCLC Quality Control and they will make the change(s). OCLC does not communicate back to you, but don't worry, they will process your change. As the OCLC Quality Control staff are very busy, there may be some delay in your changes being made, but they will be made.