Status Line

• Reference Services
• Feb 07
• Issue: 209

FirstSearch Admin Module Tip of the Month: More on the OCLC Record Number

If your library meets the following two conditions, you will need to adjust the “deep linking” (search of your catalog from FirstSearch) settings in your FirstSearch Administrative Module when the 100 millionth record is added to the WorldCat database: 1) Your library has set up FirstSearch to search your OPAC by OCLC record number 2) Your library's local system retains OCLC prefixes as it adds OCLC records.

Why, you ask? Once the 100 millionth bibliographic record is added to the WorldCat database, the number of digits in the OCLC Record number will expand from 8 to 9 digits. What is more, a new prefix will be added to OCLC Record numbers. OCLC Record numbers with 9 digits, i.e., records added after the 100 millionth record mark, will be assigned an “ocn” prefix. OCLC Record numbers with 1-8 digits, i.e., records added before the 100 millionth record mark, will be assigned an “ocm” prefix. Currently, there are 77 million bibliographic records in the WorldCat database.

If your library meets both conditions, please follow these steps:

• Access the FirstSearch Administrative Module at http://firstsearch.oclc.org/admin.
• Enter your FirstSearch authorization and “Admin Module” password.
• Click “Linking.”
• Click “Library Catalogs.”
• Select the appropriate radio button to describe how OCLC numbers are indexed in your library. The options are:
  • “Do not add prefix to the OCLC Number” (this is the default setting)
  • “Add ocn/ocm prefix based on the OCLC Number”
• Save changes and Exit.

The FirstSearch Administrative Module (“Admin Module”) is a Web-based application that provides libraries with the tools to manage and customize their FirstSearch end-user accounts. With the Admin Module, your library can enter/change its IP address (es) into the FirstSearch system (effective immediately), add your library's logo to your FirstSearch search screen, turn databases on as you need them (useful for Per-Search accounts), set up search links from FirstSearch to your online catalog and much more.

[OCLC - edited by Joyce Rambo, Reference & Digital Collections Librarian, Nylink]

OCLC FirstSearch Contact Information

For more information about OCLC's FirstSearch service, please contact Nylink's Joyce Rambo (ramboj@nylink.org) or Donna Dixon (dixond@nylink.org). They are available via email or phone (800-342-3353/518-443-5444).