Connexion client live and recorded classes

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Cancellation policy

In the event of low attendance, OCLC may cancel a training session. In this situation, registrants will be notified by email before the session.

Module 1 - WorldCat, MARC, and client basics

This module provides basic information about the WorldCat bibliographic database and the MARC record format. It also provides an introduction to the program interface, as well as instruction on how to set up and navigate the Connexion client program. After completing this web-based training, learners will be prepared to read basic MARC records, set up Connexion client on their workstation, and successfully enter commands via the program’s various input methods.

OCLC strongly recommends that newly assigned copy catalogers take Connexion client module 1 - WorldCat, MARC, and client basics; Connexion client module 2 - Basic bibliographic searching; and Connexion client module 3 - Basic editing and record processing in sequence. Together, these three modules provide the foundation of knowledge for newly assigned copy catalogers to work successfully with Connexion client.

Module 2 - Basic bibliographic searching

This online module provides instruction on performing basic bibliographic searches using OCLC Connexion client cataloging software. After completing this web-based training, learners will be able to conduct basic searches for bibliographic records in WorldCat, and evaluate whether a given record matches the item to be cataloged. This is the second part of a three module series designed to enable basic copy cataloging work in Connexion client.

This course is designed for learners who have little or no previous experience with Connexion client, and who may be new to library work. This class will be of particular benefit to new copy catalogers. It will also be beneficial to original catalogers who need to determine, before they create an original record, that no matching record exists.

Module 3 - Basic editing and record processing

This online course provides instruction on working with MARC bibliographic records in Connexion client, including using MARC field help, editing MARC records, updating holdings, and exporting MARC records. After completing this training, learners will have the knowledge to complete basic record actions in Connexion client.

This course is intended for learners who are new to Connexion client and copy cataloging but have a basic familiarity with the MARC record. Established but basic users of Connexion may also benefit from the class by a thorough review of the MARC record editing process and by learning about enhanced functionality such as Spell Check and record validation.

Module 4 - Save files, file management, and batch processing

This online module provides instruction on using Connexion client to perform high volumes of searches and record actions using the efficiency of batch processing, including the use and management of Save Files. After completing this web-based training, learners will know how to use Connexion’s file management tools to manage online and local save files effectively and will be able to enter multiple search keys and record actions, process batches, and perform batch actions by OCLC number.

This course is intended for learners who already use Connexion client to do individual searches, set/delete holdings, and export records one at a time; but want to use Connexion client’s batch processing features to increase their efficiency in processing large numbers of records. This course will be of particular benefit to library staff members who do acquisitions or copy cataloging for large orders of materials or who process large numbers of holdings deletions. Supervisors who oversee these activities and manage workflows will also find it useful.

Module 5 - Automation and customization

This online module provides instruction on the use of Connexion client’s tools for automation and customization. After completing this web-based training, learners will be prepared to complete editing tasks more efficiently and to customize Connexion client to fit their individual workflow.

This course is intended for learners who are familiar with Connexion’s basic copy and/or original cataloging functions and are looking to make the process faster and easier. This course will be particularly beneficial for catalogers that do a significant amount of consistent editing or follow repetitive manual processes for copy or original cataloging.

Module 6 - Editing WorldCat records

This online module provides instruction on how to use Connexion client to take quality control actions on records in the WorldCat database. Emphasis is on actions available to members with Full level cataloging authorizations (i.e. you do not need “Enhance” authorization to benefit from this course). After completing this web-based training, learners will be prepared to contribute to the library cooperative by taking actions to improve the quality of records in the WorldCat database.

This course is intended for learners who are comfortable with the editing functionality of Connexion client and have sufficient knowledge of cataloging guidelines to contribute quality metadata to the WorldCat database. This course will be of particular benefit to catalogers spending time doing quality control editing at the local level.

Module 7 - Advanced bibliographic searching

This online module provides instruction on how to use Connexion client to conduct advanced searches of the WorldCat database. After completing this web-based training, learners will be prepared to make more thorough and more precisely targeted searches with improved efficiency in order to find the right record faster.

This course is designed for learners comfortable with using Connexion client to do basic numeric and keyword searches of WorldCat and navigate through search results. This class will be most beneficial to staff who would like to enhance their abilities and develop their approaches to current methods of searching for records in WorldCat through Connexion client.

Module 8 - Original cataloging

This live online module provides instruction on how to use Connexion client to create original records to add to the WorldCat database. After completing this web-based training, learners will be prepared to use Connexion to efficiently create original records using a variety of methods, including blank workforms, deriving records, and extracting metadata from digital resources. 

This course is intended for learners who are familiar with current cataloging rules (Resource Description & Access (RDA) or Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2) and MARC, and are comfortable using Connexion client to search WorldCat, navigate through search results, and do basic editing. This course will be of particular benefit to catalogers who have created original bibliographic records in their local catalog but have not yet contributed records to WorldCat, and to technical services managers who oversee original cataloging operations.

Module 9 - Authority control

This live online module provides instruction on how to use Connexion client to perform authority control work within bibliographic records. After completing this web-based training, learners will be prepared to search the authority file, add a selected authority record to a bibliographic field, and link headings in bibliographic records to the LC authority file.

This course is intended for learners who have a basic understanding of cataloging principles and MARC, have some cataloging experience and are comfortable with using Connexion client to search WorldCat, navigate through search results, and do basic editing. This course will be of particular benefit to catalogers who create original bibliographic records or who do extensive editing of existing records, to library staff who need to find and export authority records to provide cross-reference structures in their local catalog, and to technical services managers who oversee these activities.