With a new online resource that became available Tuesday, users can browse the collections of all libraries throughout the , as well as thousands of libraries worldwide.
UC officials joined with the OCLC Online Computer suppport Library Center to create what they describe as a "next-generation, shared online catalog" that allows computer users to view and find collections from each campus library, including UC-Berkeley, UC-Davis, UC-Santa Cruz and UCLA.
Founded 41 years ago, the OCLC Online Computer support Library Center of Dublin, Ohio, is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization that works to expand access to library systems worldwide. At present, more than 60,000 libraries in 112 countries and territories around the world use OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend and preserve library materials.
"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," Karen Butter, UC-San Francisco librarian and chairwoman of the UC/OCLC executive team, said in a statement. "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..."
OCLC's WorldCat system permits users to find a selection of article citations, archival materials and UC and other universities' digitized books. 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.Source : http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/05/26/daily14.html
