DUBLIN, Ohio, August 26, 2016—Today is the 45th anniversary of the launch of WorldCat, the world’s most comprehensive database of information about library collections.

On August 26, 1971, the OCLC Online Union Catalog (now known as WorldCat) began operation. From a single terminal, catalogers at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, were able to catalog 133 books online that day. Today, WorldCat comprises more than 380 million records representing more than 2.4 billion titles in libraries worldwide.

“WorldCat represents the cooperative spirit of thousands of librarians and catalogers around the world who have contributed to this unique resource for the past 45 years,” said Skip Prichard, OCLC President and CEO. “What started as a database created for Ohio libraries to share work and resources has become a global network of data about the collective collection of the world’s libraries. Technologies have changed and evolved over time, but the objectives of WorldCat have remained the same—to improve access to information through library cooperation. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of library staff around the world working with OCLC staff, the creation and evolution of WorldCat is a remarkable achievement.”

Ohio University’s Alden Library was the first library to catalog a book online using WorldCat. The title of the first book cataloged in WorldCat: The Rand McNally Book of Favorite Pastimes.

“Our contribution and participation in the creation of WorldCat with the submission of the first record is an incredible legacy and an incredible part of our history,” said Scott Seaman, Dean of Libraries at Ohio University. “The ability to electronically share library cataloging—and library holdings—revolutionized not just libraries, but also scholarship. What WorldCat has become in the 45 years since is just as extraordinary. It speaks to the dedication and the hard work of librarians everywhere.”

Since 1971, 380 million records have been added to WorldCat, spanning more than 5,000 years of recorded knowledge. This unique collection of information encompasses records in a variety of formats—books, e-books, DVDs, digital resources, serials, sound recordings, musical scores, maps, visual materials, mixed materials, computer files and more.

Libraries cooperatively contribute, enhance and share bibliographic data through WorldCat, connecting people to cultural and scholarly resources in libraries worldwide. Each record in the WorldCat database contains a bibliographic description of a single title or work and a list of institutions that hold the item. Institutions share these records, using them to create local catalogs, arrange interlibrary loans and conduct reference work. Libraries contribute records for titles not found in WorldCat using OCLC shared cataloging systems.

When libraries share their data through WorldCat, they support a variety of network services, such as global resource sharing, collection evaluation and collection management.

WorldCat gives people the ability to view library collections from anywhere in the world, giving them access to a rich assortment of information much deeper than what can be found through a basic internet search. There are 491 languages and dialects represented in WorldCat, and 62 percent of records are in languages other than English.

WorldCat makes it possible for libraries to share data and improve the visibility and accessibility of library resources where users begin their searches. Once records have been added to WorldCat, they can be discovered on the Web through popular websites and through WorldCat.org.

On average, a bibliographic record is added to WorldCat every second. To watch WorldCat grow in real time, visit the OCLC website.

Read a blog post by Scott Seaman, Dean of Libraries at Ohio University, at http://oc.lc/yFVaM2 and watch a brief video featuring library staff, faculty and students describing the university’s role in the history of WorldCat http://oc.lc/sEF9Ky.

About OCLC
OCLC is a nonprofit global library cooperative providing shared technology services, original research and community programs so that libraries can better fuel learning, research and innovation. Through OCLC, member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the most comprehensive global network of data about library collections and services. Libraries gain efficiencies through OCLC’s WorldShare, a complete set of library management applications and services built on an open, cloud-based platform. It is through collaboration and sharing of the world’s collected knowledge that libraries can help people find answers they need to solve problems. Together as OCLC, member libraries, staff and partners make breakthroughs possible.

7/14/2016
CONTACT:
Nathan Curulla
(888) 900-8944
sales@bywatersolutions.com

The Edsel Ford Memorial Library at The Hotchkiss School Goes Live on ByWater Solutions Koha Support

ByWater Solutions, an open source community contributor and America's forefront provider of Koha support, announced today that The Edsel Ford Memorial Library at The Hotchkiss School, of Lakeville, CT is now live on ByWater Solutions Koha Support. ByWater Solutions had completed the migration of the Libraries' more than 70,000 titles earlier this year and is providing ongoing hosting and support services to the library. The Library's customized online catalog can be viewed at: https://bearcat.hotchkiss.org/

Robert Hilliker, Director of the Ford Library, commented on their decision to move to Koha with ByWater:

"I think the biggest factor in our decision to move to Koha was the sense of ownership: knowing that we have the ability to make the changes we need to suit our workflows. We were also blown away by the support the ByWater team have us during our migration, especially Rocio, who put us at ease that our data would transfer smoothly out of our old system. Our users love the new Koha interface too: in fact or students actually cheered when I demonstrated the shelf browsing feature in the OPAC!"

Brendan Gallagher, CEO of ByWater also commented on the library's partnership with ByWater

"We are very excited to have the opportunity to partner with Rob and the team at the Ford Library at The Hotchkiss School. Having come from a private school in Connecticut I know the value of personalized education and we are thrilled to be able to help by supporting a vehicle to effectively deliver the resources of the library to the students.

About The Edsel Ford Memorial Library:
The Edsel Ford Memorial Library provides students with a wealth of research tools — and an ideal place for both individual and group study. In addition to cozy armchairs and quiet study carrels, the library offers ample space for collaborative work: a smart classroom, two media viewing rooms, and a multimedia lab. Wireless computer access is available throughout the building, and students can check out a variety of equipment, such as computers, calculators, cameras, and tripods.

• Personal Librarian Program
• Departmental Liaison Program
• Research Consultation
• Interlibrary Loans
• Spaces to study, meet, and socialize
• Classrooms and viewing rooms
• Maker Space:
  • Programmable sewing machine, Arduino and Raspberry Pi kits, desktop laser cutters
  • Innovation Club
• Children's Library

Beyond the library’s collection of books, multimedia, and reference volumes, students can access a wide range of online databases for research. Each academic department has a designated librarian to help students make the most of the library’s resources, and a knowledgeable staff is available during library hours to provide assistance. Town residents are welcome to use the Library. For more information please visit:

About Koha:
Koha is the first open-source Integrated Library System (ILS). In use worldwide, its development is steered by a growing community of libraries collaborating to achieve their technology goals. Koha's impressive feature set continues to evolve and expand to meet the needs of its user base. It includes modules for circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, serials, reserves, patron management, branch relationships, and more.

Koha's OPAC, circulation, management and self-checkout interfaces are all based on standards-compliant World Wide Web technologies, HTML5, CSS and Javascript, making Koha a truly platform-independent solution. Koha is distributed under the open-source General Public License (GPL). For more information about Koha, please visit: http://koha-community.org/

About ByWater Solutions:
ByWater Solutions is a full service, high quality support and implementation company dedicated to providing libraries with a lower cost, more advanced level of support for their ILS than a traditional proprietary solution can offer. ByWater Solutions has a proven track record in first rate Koha implementation and support with library systems of all sizes. Our highly ranked, comprehensive support is what sets our company apart from any other vendor in the industry. Partnering with ByWater Solutions to support Koha not only lowers the cost of implementing and maintaining an ILS, but more importantly empowers libraries by giving them the flexibility and freedom they deserve. For more information please visit: http://bywatersolutions.com/

Contact:

Kat Kamp
Backstage Library Works
Phone: 801.356.1852
news@bslw.com
www.bslw.com

PROVO, Utah, August 25, 2016 –– Backstage Library Works (www.bslw.com) is pleased to announce its upcoming seminar Metadata Matters: New England to be held on Wednesday, September 21st in Boylston, Massachusetts. It is the second in a series of leading-edge programs focusing on library topics. The event will be attended by library and metadata specialists throughout the region.

As library content and the systems for hosting and indexing content continue to multiply, rich metadata becomes ever more important. Librarians from leading institutions will discuss their current and future plans for creatively tackling the challenges of today’s metadata landscape.

Speakers will include metadata innovators from Harvard University, Massachusetts Medical Society, MidPointe Library System, and Backstage Library Works. They will discuss projects that include:
◾Developing solid metadata to enable discovery
◾Preparing materials for transcription
◾Current metadata trends in libraries
◾Exploring untapped metadata collaboration between libraries and publishers

Following the talks, the audience will be invited to join roundtable discussions on the following topics:
◾What’s new with BIBFRAME
◾The modern cataloger’s evolving role in metadata
◾Practical steps toward linked data
◾Preparing data for migration to a new ILS
◾Collaborating with non-library partners: cross-domain metadata sharing
◾Finding and dealing with duplicate records in your catalog

John Merrill, president of Backstage states:

“We are thrilled to have Michelle Durocher, Rob Chavez, and Adam Wanter in the same meeting sharing their expertise and leading discussions about metadata issues. The world is so much more complex and our patrons so much more demanding that we all have to be as informed as possible about developments that can improve the user’s experience. We hope this seminar is of value to everyone who can attend.”

For more information, visit: http://www.bslw.com/presentations/metadata_matters

About Backstage Library Works

Backstage’s objective is to provide the most technologically advanced, high quality, yet efficient means for delivering professional library services. With over 25 years of experience, the company is known for its expertise in handling complex and unique projects. Backstage specializes in solutions for cataloging, authority control, digitization, preservation microfilm, and on-site needs. In providing services to more than a thousand libraries, large and small, public and private, and in locations across the globe, Backstage has cultivated an understanding of libraries, their mission, their operations, and the challenges they face. Backstage offices are located in Provo, Utah, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

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