New Functions in WorldCat

Users of OCLC's WorldCat database may now add reviews, notes and tables
of contents to WorldCat records through a new option that facilitates
sharing among library users worldwide. The user contribution option in
the WorldCat and WorldCat-related databases on the OCLC FirstSearch
service extends a pilot begun in late 2005 to enable contribution of
content to WorldCat records in the Find in a Library interface of the
Open WorldCat program.

User-contributed content helps extend the OCLC cooperative to include
record-enhancing information from non-cataloging library professionals
as well as library users. For example, family members may add notes to
records for genealogical materials about their families, or community
members may comment on historical photographs or documents from digital
collections about their communities that reside in the WorldCat
database.

Content such as notes and tables of contents may be expanded or edited
by other members of the viewing community. Personal reviews are visible
to all WorldCat users, but may not be edited except by the original
reviewer.

A new tab labeled "Add/View Comments" in the full record display
contains notes, reviews and tables of content that have been contributed
by WorldCat users. Upon release of this new option within the
FirstSearch service, all content contributed through the Find in a
Library interface will be visible. Content added through both Find in a
Library and FirstSearch will be visible in all public views of the
WorldCat database.

Users can immediately contribute content after registering a personal
account. Their account allows them to return to the interface at any
time, log in and create or revise content. Guidelines for content
contributions are provided, and OCLC monitors all submissions.
User-contributed content is associated with a WorldCat record, but is
maintained separately and does not become part of the record's
authoritative bibliographic information.

WorldCat-related databases available through the FirstSearch service
that also include the new user-contributed content are Ebooks
(Electronic Books), WorldCat Dissertations and Theses and all
custom-built group catalogs.

Now that users have the ability to add content to WorldCat-related
databases, the base functionality is in place to build on. We are
interested in hearing your suggestions and encourage you to contact us
via the Comments link in FirstSearch or the Feedback link in
OpenWorldCat. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing the content
you add to WorldCat!

Questions? Consult the online help or contact your regional service
provider (http://www.oclc.org/contacts/regional/) or OCLC Customer
Support (1-800-848-5800 or support@oclc.org).