Through this service, users will be able to view and find collections in each campus library, the UC system libraries and other collections in libraries around the world in OCLC's WorldCat system. In addition, users will find a selection of article citations, archival materials and UC and other universities' digitized books -- all through one online service. Other features include a single search box, relevancy ranking of search results, result sets that bring multiple versions of a work together, easy ways to refine results, citation formatting options, reviews and cover art. The catalog can be viewed at http://melvyl.worldcat.org.
The Next-Generation Melvyl Catalog builds on OCLC's WorldCat.org operating system, which allows Web access to the world's richest database for discovery of materials held in libraries. The Melvyl Catalog has been the shared catalog of the University of California libraries since 1981.
Through a locally branded Melvyl Catalog interface, as well as interfaces for the 10 UC campuses, the service will provide users with the ability to search the entire WorldCat database while at the same time giving them the ability to narrow down a search to the local campus library level. WorldCat Local interoperates with locally maintained services such as circulation information, resource sharing and resolution to full text to create a seamless experience for the end user. Users can conduct their searches in a number of languages including Spanish and Chinese, a wonderful feature for UC's diverse students.
"OCLC's vision for seamlessly integrating discovery of locally held library resources with resources held elsewhere across the international bibliographic network is similar to ours," said Assistant Vice Chancellor Karen Butter, the UC San Francisco university librarian and chair of the UC/OCLC executive team. "The partnership with OCLC offers an opportunity to present the vast UC library collection in ways that are consistent with the discovery needs of today's faculty and students. We expect that OCLC's research expertise and ability to integrate collection resources -- whether purchased, locally digitized or digitized by third parties -- will offer new ways to surface information from UC library collections."
"OCLC's partnership with the University of California libraries is helping to shape the way we will serve our member libraries through WorldCat.org and WorldCat Local," said Chip Nilges, OCLC vice president, business development. "We're working very closely with representative staff and management of the University of California library system and have benefitted tremendously from their collaborative approach to this project."
About the University of California libraries
More than 100 libraries on the 10 University of California campuses support the university's research, learning, patient care and public service missions. Collectively, they make up the largest research/academic library in the world and, with the California Digital Library, have taken a leadership role harnessing technology in support of new and innovative forms of scholarly communication. For more information, visit http://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu.
About OCLC
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, OCLC Online Computer Library Center is a nonprofit library membership and research organization that provides computer-based cataloging, reference, resource sharing, preservation and eContent services to 57,000 libraries in 112 countries and territories. OCLC and its member libraries worldwide have created and maintain WorldCat, the world's richest online resource for finding library materials. For more information, visit www.oclc.org.
Additional contact: Bob Murphy, OCLC (614) 761-5136, murphyb@oclc.org