Using the Z39.50 Search Feature to Add Catalog Records

One way to add a new catalog record to your library is to search the Library of Congress z39.50 database of over 14 million records (or one of the other available z39.50 databases) and copy it into your collection.

Steps to search for a record:

1. On the Catalog page, click on the New Record link.
2. Select the database you want to search.
3. Enter an ISBN, or Title and Author last name and click the Search button.
   Note: If you have a bar code scanner, you may be able to scan in the ISBN bar code number usually found on the back cover of books.
4. If matching records are found, click on the divot to the left of each title to see the ISBN, author and publication information to make sure you select the correct record.
5. If you want to add a record to your collection, simply click on the title.
6. The record is added to your collection and displayed with other recently added records.
7. Click on the pencil icon to the right of the title to edit the record. You'll want to do this to add copies and other local holding information.
8. Click the Add a New Record link to return to the New Record page and continue adding records.

General Database Information

• The Library of Congress catalog does not include records for every book published – only those that they have added to their catalog.  Also, not all of their records contain an ISBN.  Sometimes you will get better results if you search by Title.

• Most books published before 1971 are not in the Library of Congress catalog.

• Many, if not most, of the books published by Scholastic are not included in the Library of Congress catalog.

• Many users have reported getting better results when searching the OhioLINK Central Catalog.  If you’re having trouble finding records in the Library of Congress catalog, try using the OhioLINK catalog for some searches to see if you get better results.

• Occasionally one of the databases may be unavailable (offline). This becomes evident when you do several searches and get no results.  When this happens, try searching one of the other databases for your titles and then you can try the original database again the next time you are adding records.

Searching Tips

• When searching by ISBN, do not include hyphens.
• You don’t have to enter the entire title or author when searching.
• If the title contains very common words, enter the title and the author’s last name.  This will speed up the search.
• Enter author names with last name then first name.  Punctuation is not necessary.
• It’s best not to search by author alone.  Searching by author and title will provide faster results.

How LibraryWorld Keeps Your Data Safe

One important question that we work hard at LibraryWorld to address is the security of your data. For a cloud-based automation company, security of our customers data is of paramount importance to us, and we have gone to extensive measures to ensure that things stay that way. Users who are accustomed to storing their data locally on software drives often wonder how we can ensure that their data stays safe off-site. When we discuss security with our staff, we speak about three main areas of focus: the physical security of the drives themselves, data security as it relates to how the data is backed up, and access security, which limits access to data to only authorized viewers.

Physical security

LibraryWorld servers are housed on the 14th floor of a regional federal government offices building, which includes a Tier III Data Center protected by on-site officers, mantraps, biometrics, CCTV, key card controls and a Pre-action fire suppression system. Data centers house an organization's most valuable and irreplaceable information, so obtaining a secured environment with robust connectivity to colocate customer data was paramount. This is why we chose to partner with CoreSite and house our servers at an Internet Exchange Point, known as MAE-West.

Data Security

Library data is stored on RAID 1 Mirrored Solid State Drives. Backups are performed each night with archival backups kept for 4 days and monthly backups kept for 6 months. Backup data is stored off-site for location redundancy. This means that even if an unexpected event were to restrict our access to the main servers, your data would still be backed up and safe at an offsite location.

We believe our security provides as good or better privacy than most locally stored systems. In some ways, by the mere fact that the data is physically removed from local hands, there is a built-in level of security over locally stored, and locally tempted unauthorized access. This is an inherent benefit to cloud computing.

Access Security

Each library has a separate database where all records are stored. Records are not shared between library databases which might allow a user to access patron data in a library other than their own. You have to have a username and password that has rights to a specific library database to see the patrons and collection information for that library. Since the data is hosted in separated databases, even buggy code would find it extraordinarily hard to accidentally access patron information the user doesn't have read access to.

One final question that is often asked is whether or not LibraryWorld will restrict access to catalog and patron records if a membership is terminated.  There are no removal fees, no hidden loop holes--we keep your data safe as long as you are member of LibraryWorld and immediately release it back to you when you discontinue service. You can always export your catalog and patron records in standard formats. If your subscription times out and you do not want to renew, we will reactivate the subscription for a short time so you can export your data. We will allow access to catalog and patron information for up to one year after your subscription ends.

We are always open to feedback and questions, especially around the safety of your data. If you have any questions regarding the content discussed in this e-mail, please address your question to custserv@libraryworld.com

Union Cataloging Draws Florida Technical College to LibraryWorld

At LibraryWorld we take a lot of pride in our work. Our team has decades of experience in the library automation and software business, and we care deeply for our customers. That is why we offer such a cutting edge product at the price we do, with the functionality and application we do: it's for you! A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of welcoming Florida Technical College (FTC) into the LibraryWorld family. FTC represents five campuses of like-minded individuals working toward the common goal of increased career potential and brighter futures. FTC was founded in 1982 to provide post-secondary training in specialized business fields. I had the opportunity to connect with Dr. Mitchell McClay, the campus librarian at the FTC Deland campus, to hear from him first hand how moving his libraries to LibraryWorld has impacted the quality of the services he offers.


Tell me a little about the services your library offers, and why you were searching for a new service provider?


My role is working as the Campus Librarian at the FTC Deland campus. I provide library services to students, faculty and staff on a daily basis. I have been with FTC Deland since July 2006. I manage the all daily operations of the FTC Deland campus library which includes reference, collection development, acquisitions, cataloging, exam proctoring, and provide tutoring assistance to students on research papers and computer skills. I was selected to spear-head a project to develop an online Union Catalog that would be accessible from the World Wide Web.

How did you find LibraryWorld and why did you choose to sign up with our service?

LibraryWorld was recommended by a colleague of mine and I was sold on this product from the beginning. It is a very affordable platform for the great services that can be provided to any college library. Mr. Fred Zaccheo and Ms. Susan Angley have been just wonderful in promptly answering any questions or concerns I had addressed during this process.


Will you share some feedback on the customer service you received from the LibraryWorld team?

The customer service provided by the LibraryWorld team including Mr. Fred Zaccheo and Susan Angley was outstanding and prompt. They are true professionals who are dedicated to assisting your library with this implementation of LibraryWorld. One can “sense” their pride in this product and both are very friendly and positive individuals to deal with on the LibraryWorld team.


You mentioned union cataloging, how has this helped your libraries and patrons?


This has allowed students, staff, and faculty to easily access via online through the world wide web an ability to search individual catalogs at our five campuses or do a “Union” search of all five campuses at once in looking for resources. Fantastic product!


Thank you, Dr. McClay for sharing your experience with our customers. We look forward to serving you for many years to come!


Florida Technical College has many great programs to offer and is expanding into additional online programs at the associate and bachelor levels. A great value for the outstanding educational training and preparation for future employment! Check out our weblink:  http://www.ftccollege.edu/why-ftc.html 

LibraryWorld doubles storage space for standard membership

The value of the LibraryWorld's online subscription has been increased substantially this week with the expansion of the storage capacity for standard membership subscribers. For the yearly price of $425 users can now store up to 100,000 records per library and 40,000 patron records. In April LibraryWorld rolled out a .pdf & .jpeg attachment feature allowing users to attach files up to 512k to their library catalog records. That storage capacity has now been increased from 1,000 to 2,000 records.

"At LibraryWorld we are constantly pushing to make our product the most accessible, affordable, and cutting edge library automation tool available on the Internet," says LibraryWorld's CEO Norman Kline. "The choice to double the storage space for our users shows our commitment to achieving this goal. We are excited to watch our over 3,000 libraries worldwide grow and welcome new members to our online service."

LibraryWorld and Pearson Announce ISV Partnership

Today, we are pleased to announce a Pearson partnership with LibraryWorld and introduce Library Pro users to the LibraryWorld.com online service. LibraryWorld provides a full range of library applications including catalog, circulation, inventory, serial tracking, and online patron access. More than 2,700 libraries already use LibraryWorld to automate collections, including schools, colleges, public libraries, and a wide range of special libraries and information centers.

As you may already know, LibraryWorld is the original developer of Library Pro so we are more than familiar with the software you are currently using! In the coming days, a representative from LibraryWorld will be contacting you to discuss the logistics of seamlessly migrating from Library Pro to the online LibraryWorld.com service by June 1, 2013.  This date is especially important, as Pearson will no longer support Library Pro after September 1, 2013.

LibraryWorld allows you to:

• Log in to your library from anywhere in the world
• Access millions of free MARC records for cataloguing purposes
• Attach book jacket covers to catalog records
• View linked web resources including e-books, PDF’s, images, and more
• Receive product enhancements instantly

Cost Considerations:

• Conversion from Library Pro to LibraryWorld.com is free
• The annual cost for a single LibraryWorld.com library is $425 USD
• Pearson will refund any unused maintenance for Library Pro

The conversion to LibraryWorld is easy and free. In addition, your annual maintenance and support costs will decrease! To date, LibraryWorld’s technical staff has successfully converted more than 1,000 libraries just like yours.information.

We understand that there will be questions, so please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-852-2777, or send an email to sales@libraryworld.com.

Sincerely,

Norman Kline
CEO, LibraryWorld Inc.

What 'going digital' has meant to one LibraryWorld customer

LibraryWorld recently welcomed Simon Sanchez High School in Guam to our customer family. We were thrilled when we were sent this wonderful article about what 'going digital' has meant to the community: easier access, availability of electronic documents, ebooks, and enhanced features for patrons. We're happy that this software is making a difference!

Yigo high school's library goes digital

LibraryWorld Announces the Ability to Attach Digital Documents to Catalog Records

On Thursday, March 29th LibraryWorld will enhance its catalog application to allow users to attach PDF and JPEG documents to catalog records.

Multiple PDF and JPEG documents can be attached directly to catalog records. Thumbnails of both PDF and JPEG files are displayed to provide instant feedback on the contents of each document. Thumbnails of a PDF or JPEG file can be used as the book jacket image for a catalog record.

Libraries with Standard service subscriptions can store up to 1,000 files and each file can be up to 512K in size.

Patrons will be able to view attached documents, thumbnails and full expanded files through the online patron access catalog (OPAC) application.

'Realia' record type added

LibraryWorld Realia Object

The category type "Realia" refers to any 3-dimensional object that occurs in real life. Another definition by a New York Times author refers to Realia as "eccentricity worth preserving." What an exciting classification term! Over the past few years Realia objects have grown increasingly popular [and relevant] to many library collections. University libraries will often receive donations that include non-text items relevant to the story of that collection. Special libraries often obtain preserved animal specimen, old photographs, musical instruments, the list goes on and on. The diversity that the category type allows for requires careful cataloging (how does one, for instance, write a catalog description for a lock of Sylvia Plath's hair?) to be sure. But with the increasingly rich world of multimedia objects the Realia classification appears to be an important option to offer our customers.

To create a new Realia record, navigate to the Catalog app from your main library page. Click 'New Record', and select the 'Realia Object' from the first option on the far right of your screen.

Once clicked you will be prompted to manually enter the catalog information. Please note that the 'medium' field has been auto filled as Realia for you. You can also create a Realia record via the 'Material Type' descriptions, which provide general definitions for each material type classification option available to LibraryWorld customers.

Happy Cataloging!

Improved feature: Patron Import

Now you can customize the column order when importing patron records.

This means that you are no longer required to populate the spreadsheet that LibraryWorld sends when importing patron data. Instead, match the column number on your spreadsheet to the appropriate data field in the patron import application.

For example, I export my patron records in the required tab delimited format. The Excel spreadsheet needs to be saved as TEXT. The data included in this document is: Column A--Bar Code, Column B--Name, Column C--Organization, Column D--Branch, and so on.

All I need to do to accurately import this record into my library is login to my LibraryWorld account, click on 'patrons' in the left nav bar of the main page, select the 'import' tab on the upper portion of the screen, and match the data fields with the appropriate column labels.

Based on the example information above, here is what my screen should look like before importing:

Important Announcement: All links switch to New Look on March 5th

Important Announcement

All LibraryWorld links will switch from the Old Look to the New Look on March 5th.

What this means for you:

• All remaining static and/or embedded LibraryWorld links will be coded to point to the New Look.
• When you access your user main page you will see our improved layout design, easier navigation.
• No record information or catalog data will be affected or altered by this change.
• For a complete list of New Look changes, please read our blog. 

What this means for your patrons:

• OPAC navigation is not impacted by these changes. 
• Patrons will notice two enhancements to their OPAC searching experience
• Google Book Preview 
• Recently Added Titles    
• Both the Google Book Preview and Recently Added Titles are optional features that can be turned on or off. Click the links above to learn how to control each feature through your settings panel.

A summary of our new features

January was a busy month for us at LibraryWorld full of new feature releases, the roll out of a brand new look for LibraryWorld, and a lot of listening to your feedback. Here is a summary of the new features that have been implemented in the past month:


1. LibraryWorld's new look:
Everyone should be seeing these changes as we switched over on Feb 1.  This upgrade features a new user interface, improved navigation and increased social media connections.


2. Google Book Previews:
Google Book Previews provide a quick way to view a summary and often contents of a book. You can turn this feature on for the catalog application in the Settings General page. You can also turn this feature on for OPAC users in the Settings OPAC page.


3. Lost and Found feature:
Perhaps the most eagerly awaited addition, the 'lost' command changes the status of a holding to 'LOST', creates a log entry for tracking the number of lost holdings over time and (if the holding was checked out) displays an owed transaction window to charge the patron the price of the holding. You are given the options to charge, mark as paid, or forgive.


4. The LibraryWorld Android App:
Now searching your library is easier than ever! The LibraryWorld search App is now available for your Android mobile phone. Like the iPhone and iPad apps, the LibraryWorld app for Android is offered free of charge to you and your patrons. Users can now search their home library, view book jackets, and check status of circulation items.

5. Search by record type:
Now users can search and browse their collection-specific record types independent from individual record titles. There are two main ways to access this search feature. Within the catalog app, you can roll over the 'Show' button to access a drop down menu of record types for a quick view of all library records associated with the selected record type. You can perform this same search function through the 'Catalog Advanced Search'.

Upgraded feature announcement: Now you can search by record type

The past few weeks have been exciting at the LibraryWorld office. We are in a period of rapid development and integration of new features, working hard to make sure that LibraryWorld remains the bellwether for other cloud-based library automation services. Many of the changes that we have been developing are inspired by you, the customers who use our services every day, in all 50 states and abroad. Your feedback prompted our Lost/Found feature, and has also expedited the release of our newest feature: filtering search results by record type.

We have a large number of specialty libraries, museums, and academic institutions who catalog a wide variety of media. Now users can search and browse their collection-specific record types independent from individual record titles. There are two main ways to access this search feature. Within the catalog app, you can roll over the 'Show' button to access a drop down menu of record types for a quick view of all library records associated with the selected record type. You can perform this same search function through the 'Catalog Advanced Search'. Enter search terms in the appropriate fields and filter your results by specific record type.

Drop down menu in Catalog app

Search feature in Advanced Search

Please stay tuned to this blog and Facebook for more updates in the coming weeks.

You asked, we listened: our new "Lost and Found" feature

At LibraryWorld, we take your feedback seriously. Whether it is received via our social media outlets (connect with us on Facebook here), our expert customer service department, or through our sales team we value what you have to say. As a result of your feedback, we are happy to annouce that LibraryWorld's new look will now include a "Lost and Found" feature! Many of you have requested this feature, so we hope that you find it helpful in maintaining accurate circulation records.

Here are some details on the Lost and Found feature:

The lost command changes the status of a holding to 'LOST', creates a log entry for tracking the number of lost holdings over time and (if the holding was checked out) displays an owed transaction window to charge the patron the price of the holding. You are given the options to charge, mark as paid, or forgive.

A new lost holdings report is available on the reports page to display all lost holdings by call number. The circulation activity report has also been upgraded to show the number of lost and found holdings over time.

You can mark a holding as LOST when viewing the holding in the catalog or patron modules.

If you check in a holding that had been lost the holding's status will be changed from LOST to IN, the amount charged to the patron for the loss will be removed, and if overdue a fine window will appear allowing the option to charge a late fee. A 'Found' circulation log record will be created to track the number of found holdings over time.

Additionally, the status report now includes column for Lost and Found and the circulation activity report allows you to track changes over time.

As always, please send us your comments and feedback!

A New Look for LibraryWorld

We are excited to announce the release of LibraryWorld Version 3.0. This upgrade features a new user interface, improved navigation and increased social media connections. Version 3.0 will also provide a platform for many new features including lost book tracking and Google Book previews. We will be permanently switching to our New Look on February 1st, but you can click on the link here to try out the new look before February 1st. If you are a LibraryWorld subscriber you can also switch back and forth using the link at the top right side of your account page called 'Use New Look' and 'Use Classic Look'.

We believe the new look will make the service easier and faster to use and will allow us to add more features in the future. The OPAC user interface will stay the same, so there is no need to 're-train' patrons searching your collection. All of the basic features are the same so there should be no disruption to your work flow.

Be sure to connect with us via Facebook to receive additional announcements and to share your thoughts on the new look!

LibraryWorld: Defining the Marketplace

When Norman Kline founded LibraryWorld in 1986, the mission was to build advanced technology tools to automate library collections.  After years of success with application software, Norman saw a significant need for a low cost solution for libraries of all sizes that could be accessed from any location on the Web. LibraryWorld lived up to its mission and truly embodied the spirit of Silicon Valley innovation by moving a traditionally static and very expensive software to the Cloud.

Looking to innovate ahead of the curve, LibraryWorld's move disrupted the marketplace and established cloud based library automation as a new standard. LibraryWorld is now set to launch a third version of its online software which will again serve to revolutionize the industry. Version 3.0 will enhance existing library features and  leverage Web resources like never before.

The History of LibraryWorld

LibraryWorld's mission: To build advanced technology tools to automate library collections.

Beginning in 1986, Apple Computer Product Manager Norman Kline built a library automation software program called 'The Mac Library System' that used Macintosh computers to automate a wide range of libraries in schools, special, academic and public libraries.

In 1990, LibraryWorld launched the first fully integrated cross-platform Macintosh and Windows program for library automation. Growth was spurred by the purchase of the Columbia Library System from the McGraw Hill Companies and the licensing of key technology to many companies in the information market sector. As the market expanded and began to saturate, Norman began to look for ways to revolutionize the library automation marketplace. Norman used his intimate understanding of programming and Silicon Valley entrepreneurship to develop a novel idea: move circulation record storage to remote servers, thus relieving the burden of server downtime on patrons, and allow collection managers to access their circulation information via Internet terminals.

Since then that idea has established LibraryWorld as a leader in Web based 'Cloud' library solutions. There are thousands of libraries currently using LibraryWorld in every state of the United States and in dozens of countries around the world. Every conceivable library type is represented including schools, academic, special, public, health, law, museums, film, architecture and many others. And Norman and his team are not done shaking up the marketplace. In mid-January they will release LibraryWorld Version 3.0, which will include essential upgrades, improved naviation, and unique social media features that provide powerful solutions for automaing collections of any size.

Welcome to the LibraryWorld.com Blog!

Please check back in January 2012 for information on new website features, expanded membership options, and helpful how-to tips. Until then, follow us on facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/LibraryWorld

~The LibraryWorld.com team