WorldCat Discovery release notes, May 2019
Release Date: 9 May 2019
Introduction
The following release notes are for the 9 May 2019 release of WorldCat Discovery. These notes also contain information regarding the 16 May 2019 release of WorldCat Discovery’s remote database recommendation feature.
WorldCat Discovery is bringing several new improvements to users in this release. When physical collections are housed in storage or if a library user is offsite, WorldCat Discovery now offers the ability to virtually browse the shelf.
In addition to virtual shelf browse, coming in a special release on 16 May 2019 a new database recommendation feature in WorldCat Discovery will give users a consistent way to search databases from EBSCO and ProQuest that are not included in the WorldCat Discovery central index.
Additionally, accessibility and UI improvements have been made in this release that help support users in their discovery experience.
Recommended actions
For this release, we recommend that you review the following checklist and complete the relevant tasks so that you can adjust your policies and workflows and train your staff. This checklist identifies updates that we have determined as significant for most institutions. We encourage you to review all of the items in the release notes to determine whether there are other items that might require additional action or follow up by your institution
Administrative actions
These items require immediate action or decisions.
Action |
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New features and enhancements
Consistently search remote databases in WorldCat Discovery COMING 16 MAY 2019
On 16 May 2019, a new database recommendation feature in WorldCat Discovery will give users a consistent way to search databases from EBSCO and ProQuest that are not included in the WorldCat Discovery central index. Database recommendations will eliminate current remote search issues such as search timeouts or incomplete search results. The new feature will be available to libraries with WorldShare Management Services, WorldCat Discovery (premium), and WorldCat Local subscriptions, as well as to those libraries that purchased the former remote database search option. This will replace the remote database searching currently available in WorldCat Discovery. There will be a separate install from the regular 9 May 2019 WorldCat Discovery release for this functionality.
When remote databases are configured in the default database group the new experience will display recommended remote databases at the top of WorldCat Discovery search results with an indication of the approximate number of results expected from each. Clicking on a recommended database will connect a user to the database’s native interface to continue their research. For EBSCO databases, following this link will also automatically re-run the user’s search terms in the EBSCO interface.
Members of the WorldCat Discovery community provided extensive input on this new feature through focus groups, survey responses, and patron testing. These insights informed our development of an intuitive way to discover relevant resources in remote databases.
Read “Discovery Notes: Community-built database recommendations replace and improve remote searching” for background on the development of this new feature.
Below is an example of the user experience for the search “religion and culture.”
After users enter a search, WorldCat Discovery displays recommendations for remote databases configured by their library.
When users click a recommended database and authenticate, they are taken directly to the selected database in its native interface. The search is automatically re-run for EBSCO databases.
Configuration considerations for use of the new feature
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Existing remote database configurations for remote searching will remain active when the database recommendation feature is released.
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If you previously removed remote databases from your library’s default database list, you may wish to include them again, because searching these databases will no longer impact the timing or completeness of search results. We recommend including a maximum of ten remote databases in a library’s default setting.
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A new proxy configuration will be required to build the database recommendation links to EBSCO and ProQuest. The new configuration will automatically populate with your library’s existing proxy from the WorldCat knowledge base in WorldShare Collection Manager. If your institution does not have a proxy in this location and you wish to provide the new recommendation tool, you will need to configure a proxy Base URL in the MetaSearch module of OCLC Service Configuration before using remote database recommendations.
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We strongly recommend that you review your library’s credentials for remote database access in OCLC Service Configuration to make sure they are up to date. These credentials are provided by content providers for access to their content. This will ensure trouble-free connections for your users.
Additional information
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View the recording of the April WorldCat Discovery Product Insights meeting for an introduction to the database recommendation feature.
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Read Frequently Asked Questions about the database recommendation feature.
Virtually shelf browse collections when offsite
As interaction with libraries increasingly occur on electronic devices and as physical collections move offsite, WorldCat Discovery now offers for WMS institutions, a way to provide users an organic discovery experience of virtual shelf browse. This feature will be configurable in worldcat.org/config>WorldCat Discovery and WorldCat Local>User Interface Options>Display shelf browse on detailed records. This features was installed enabled for all eligible users.
When enabled, a “Browse the Shelf” accordion will display on detailed views of records for physical items that your library holds. Shelf Browse will then display the title, author, format, publication year and LHR provided Call Number.
If you have configured any of the following to display on brief results, they will also display on Shelf Browse.
- Availability configured to display on brief results in worldcat.org/config>WorldCat Discovery and WorldCat Local>OPAC Statuses, Locations and Circulation Policies.
- Primary links configured to display on brief results in worldcat.org/config>WorldCat Discovery and WorldCat Local>Full Text and Open Access Links
- StackMap configured in worldcat.org/config>Third-Party Integrations>StackMap
Quickly view selected databases first in Metasearch Content module
When you need to update databases in OCLC Service Configuration, you will now view selected databases first without needing to scroll through all options available. This is especially useful when editing custom groups. Selected databases will display alphanumerically in each of the following sections:
Configure Databases to Search
- OCLC Licensed Databases
- Central Index Databases
- Remote Databases
Group Configured Databases
- Custom Database Groups
Periodical Index and Supplement subfields in local holdings metadata will now display in WorldCat Discovery
In order to provide end users with more information when local holdings for a periodical containing supplementary or index items, WorldCat Discovery will now display the following fields with other Local Holding Record content.
- 867 subfield a
- 868 subfield a
Accessibility updates for improved discovery
WorldCat Discovery is committed to continually improving accessibility. For the best experience searching WorldCat Discovery, we recommend that you always open your screen reader before opening your web browser and use the following screen readers paired with the following operating systems and browsers:
Operating System |
Screen Reader |
Browser |
Chrome OS |
ChromeVox |
Google Chrome |
Windows |
NVDA |
Mozilla Firefox |
Windows |
JAWS |
Mozilla Firefox/Internet Explorer |
macOS |
VoiceOver |
Google Chrome/Safari |
Windows 10 |
Narrator |
Microsoft Edge |
Updated header titles for improved screen reading
We have updated the header on pages for WorldCat Discovery users utilizing a screen reader. Prior to this release the title of the page read as if it were a run-on sentence. We have updated the following pages with improved descriptions:
WorldCat Discovery Page |
Example of browser title prior to release |
Example of browser title after release |
Landing page |
Search xxx.on.worldcat.org |
Search <Display Name of institution> |
Brief Results |
Search results xxx.on.worldcat.org |
Search results for <Search Query> |
Detail Pane |
Search results xxx.on.worldcat.org |
Item Details for <Insert title of detail record> |
Detail Page |
Action Record - Green Eggs and Ham |
Item Details Page for <Insert Title of detail record> |
Course Reserves Landing |
Course Reserves | xxx.on.worldcat.org |
Search Course Reserves at <Display Name of institution> |
Course Reserves Course Title page |
Course Reserves | xxx.on.worldcat.org/title |
Course Details for <title of course> |
Reduced alert notifications when using JAWS screen reader
When using a screen reader (JAWS) to enter a search on the Discovery homepage, predictive text alerts were repeated to the point of distracting the user. Now the alert rate has been reduced to notify users when search suggestions.
Bug Fixes
Season codes will now translate
When searching WorldCat Discovery and viewing a local holding records that was created with a season code in the 863 $j, users will now see the code translate into the appropriate translation of that season in all supported languages.
Local Holding Records will no longer display duplicate lines of availability when textual holding pairs are used
When textual holdings are used in conjunction with the following fields, WorldCat Discovery will no longer display duplicate line of availability.
- 866/876
- 867/877
- 868/878
- 865/878
Example of 867/877 textual holding pair in WorldShare Record Manager:
Example of 867/877 textual holding pair display in WorldCat Discovery
Private notes no longer display in detailed views of WorldCat Discovery
WorldCat Discovery users that have included private notes in Local Bibliographic Data the 590 field that contains a first indicator value of 0 for private will no longer see the metadata display in WorldCat Discovery. These private notes will only be viewable within WorldShare Record Manager.
New content
This is a list of new databases added to WorldCat Discovery, WorldCat Local and WorldCat.org since our last update.
You can enable these databases as search options in the Licensed Content and Databases module of the OCLC Service Configuration site. Please remember that your library must have a valid subscription to these databases in order to enable them.
Available in WorldCat Discovery, WorldCat Local and WorldCat.org
- From Alexander Street
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Anthropology Online - Contains published ethnographies, seminal texts, memoirs, contemporary studies, and archival materials covering human culture and behavior around the world.
Art and Architecture in Video - Australia - An online streaming film collection of documentaries and interviews illustrating the theory and practice of a variety of art forms and providing the context necessary for critical analysis.
Art and Architecture in Video - Canada - An online streaming film collection of documentaries and interviews illustrating the theory and practice of a variety of art forms and providing the context necessary for critical analysis.
Art and Architecture in Video – Outside North America - An online streaming film collection of documentaries and interviews illustrating the theory and practice of a variety of art forms and providing the context necessary for critical analysis.
Art and Architecture in Video – United States - An online streaming film collection of documentaries and interviews illustrating the theory and practice of a variety of art forms and providing the context necessary for critical analysis.
Audio Drama – Contains important dramatic works in streaming audio from the L.A. Theatre Works Collection.
Black Studies in Video – All Titles – A portfolio that brings together seminal documentaries, powerful interviews, and previously unavailable archival footage surveying the black experience.
Black Studies in Video - Australia - A portfolio that brings together seminal documentaries, powerful interviews, and previously unavailable archival footage surveying the black experience.
Black Studies in Video - Canada - A portfolio that brings together seminal documentaries, powerful interviews, and previously unavailable archival footage surveying the black experience.
Black Studies in Video - China - A portfolio that brings together seminal documentaries, powerful interviews, and previously unavailable archival footage surveying the black experience.
Black Studies in Video – Middle East - A portfolio that brings together seminal documentaries, powerful interviews, and previously unavailable archival footage surveying the black experience.
Black Studies in Video – Outside North America - A portfolio that brings together seminal documentaries, powerful interviews, and previously unavailable archival footage surveying the black experience.
Black Studies in Video – United States - A portfolio that brings together seminal documentaries, powerful interviews, and previously unavailable archival footage surveying the black experience.
Business Education in Video – North America - Provides video in a range of areas – corporate training, case studies, executive interviews, expert lectures, instructional films, and documentaries.
Business Education in Video – Outside North America - Provides video in a range of areas – corporate training, case studies, executive interviews, expert lectures, instructional films, and documentaries.
Digital Karl Barth Library – A comprehensive collection of German-language content and scholarly English translations of Karl Barth’s major works.
Digital Library of Classic Protestant Texts – A collection of Christian texts from the Reformation and post-Reformation eras.
Digital Library of the Catholic Reformation - Contains titles written during the 16th and 17th centuries, including papal documents, synodal decrees, catechisms, confessors' manuals, biblical commentaries, theological treatises, sacred drama, liturgical works, inquisitorial manuals, preaching guides, accounts of saints' lives, and devotional works.
Filmakers Library Online, Second Edition – North America – Titles from independent filmmakers and prominent producers.
Filmakers Library Online, Second Edition – Outside North America – Titles form independent filmmakers and prominent producers.
Filmakers Library Online, Volume 1 – North America - Award-winning documentaries presenting points of view and historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide.
Filmakers Library Online, Volume 1 – Outside North America - Award-winning documentaries presenting points of view and historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide.
Filmakers Library Online, Volume 2 – North America - More award-winning documentaries presenting points of view and historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide.
Filmakers Library Online, Volume 2 – Outside North America - More award-winning documentaries presenting points of view and historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide.
Filmakers Library Online, Volume 3 - Additional award-winning documentaries presenting points of view and historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide.
Filmakers Library Online, Volume 4 – All Titles - Another collection of award-winning documentaries presenting points of view and historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide.
Filmakers Library Online, Volume 4 – Canada - Another collection of award-winning documentaries presenting points of view and historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide.
Filmakers Library Online, Volume 4 – Outside North America - Another collection of award-winning documentaries presenting points of view and historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide.
Filmakers Library Online, Volume 4 – United States - Another collection of award-winning documentaries presenting points of view and historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide.
Human Rights Studies Online (text) - Contains comprehensive, comparative documentation, analysis, and interpretation of major human rights violations and atrocity crimes worldwide.
Human Rights Studies Online (video) – All Titles - Contains comprehensive, comparative documentation, analysis, and interpretation of major human rights violations and atrocity crimes worldwide.
Human Rights Studies Online (video) - Australia - Contains comprehensive, comparative documentation, analysis, and interpretation of major human rights violations and atrocity crimes worldwide.
Human Rights Studies Online (video) - Canada - Contains comprehensive, comparative documentation, analysis, and interpretation of major human rights violations and atrocity crimes worldwide.
Human Rights Studies Online (video) – Outside North America - Contains comprehensive, comparative documentation, analysis, and interpretation of major human rights violations and atrocity crimes worldwide.
Human Rights Studies Online (video) – United States - Contains comprehensive, comparative documentation, analysis, and interpretation of major human rights violations and atrocity crimes worldwide.
Music Online: Classical Music in Video - Contains classical music performances and masterclasses captured on video including major orchestral performances by leading orchestras, plus chamber music, oratorio, and solo performances, along with masterclasses and interviews with master teachers from around the world.
North American Indian Drama: First Edition (Pre-October 2012 Purchases Only) - A collection of plays representing the stories and creative energies of American Indian and First Nation playwrights of the twentieth century.
North American Indian Drama: Second Edition - A collection of more plays representing the stories and creative energies of American Indian and First Nation playwrights of the twentieth century.
North American Women’s Drama – Plays written from Colonial times to the present.
Nursing Education in Video – All Titles - A collection containing important psychological experiments from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Nursing Education in Video, 2013 - A collection of videos created specifically for the education and training of nurses, nursing assistants, and other healthcare workers.
Nursing Education in Video, 2014 – All Titles - A collection of videos created specifically for the education and training of nurses, nursing assistants, and other healthcare workers.
Nursing Education in Video, 2015 – All Titles - A collection of videos created specifically for the education and training of nurses, nursing assistants, and other healthcare workers.
Psychological Experiments Online (Text) – All Titles - A collection containing important psychological experiments from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Psychological Experiments Online (Video) – All Titles - A collection containing important psychological experiments from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Psychological Experiments Online (Video) - Australia - A collection containing important psychological experiments from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Psychological Experiments Online (Video) - Canada - A collection containing important psychological experiments from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Psychological Experiments Online (Video) - China - A collection containing important psychological experiments from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Psychological Experiments Online (Video) – Outside North America - A collection containing important psychological experiments from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Psychological Experiments Online (Video) – United States - A collection containing important psychological experiments from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Twentieth Century Religious Thought (Christianity) – All Titles – A collection of seminal works and archival materials related to key worldwide religious thinkers from the early 1900s until the turn of the 21st century.
Twentieth Century Religious Thought (Islam) – All Titles – A collection of works by the most influential thinkers of modern Islamic theology and tradition.
Twentieth Century Religious Thought (Judaism) – All Titles – A collection of difficult-to-find texts and unpublished primary sources for the study of Judaism
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Boom Bestuurskunde – Provides access to important periodicals on public administration, including Beleid en Maatschappij, Beleidsonderzoek Online, Bestuurswetenschappen, and Bestuurskunde.
Boom Criminologie – Provides access to important periodicals on criminology, including Tijdschrift voor Cultuur & Criminaliteit, Tijdschrift voor Criminologie, Tijdschrift voor Herstelrecht, and Tijdschrift voor Veiligheid.
Boom Juridisch – Contains legal-scientific articles from the magazines of Boom Juridische Uitgevers. Subjects covered are: general law, labor law, administrative law, civil rights, civil procedural law, criminology and safety, mediation and recovery law, European law and competition, and corporate law.
Eleven International Publishing – Publications in the field of social sciences, including law, criminology, public administration, and political sciences.
- From Brill
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Lexikon für Kirchen- und Religionsrecht – Due to the church and social changes in recent years, church and religious law are facing great challenges and modifications. The editors have therefore drafted a new encyclopaedia on church and religious law, the aim of which is to provide users with up-to-date information and up-to-date research on the historically evolved and valid laws of the churches and religious communities and their legal status with the state deliver.
- From IEEE
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IEEE Xplore Now Publishers Foundations and Trends Technology eBooks – Technical books in all fields served by IEEE.
IEEE Xplore Wiley Telecommunications eBooks – Technical books in all fields served by IEEE.
- From Naxos of America, Inc.
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Naxos Music Library World – Offers a wide range of World music, from legendary historical musical performances to contemporary world music.
Naxos Spoken Word Library- Features a collection of classic audiobooks and independent publisher productions, in multiple languages, including literature and non-fiction.
Naxos Video Library – A video-streaming service offering a wide range of full-length videos of concerns, operas, ballets and documentaries.
Available in WorldCat Discovery and WorldCat Local
- From Gale
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The Times Digital Archive – An online, full-text facsimile of more than 200 years of the Times, one of the most highly regarded resources for eighteenth-, nineteenth-, and twentieth-century news coverage, with every page of every issue from 1785 to 2012.
The Times Literary Supplement – This collection includes the complete run of The Times Literary Supplement.
Important links
Support website(s)
Support information for this product and related products can be found at:
- WorldCat Discovery support documentation
- Contact OCLC Support
- OCLC Community Center
- Browser compatibility chart
Include Request ID with problem reports
When reporting an issue with WorldCat Discovery, it is extremely helpful to include the Request ID. The Request ID is found at the bottom of the screen on which the issue occurred. Including this information allows us to directly trace what happened on the request we are troubleshooting.