• Collections & Technical Services
• June 2006
• Issue: 203

Recent Enhancements and Corrections to Connexion Client and Connexion Browser

Corrections and Enhancements to Connexion Client version 1.50, installed May 21, 2006:

• Offline validation status changes to incorrect “failed” status – problem has been corrected.
• Ability to correctly control subdivisions ($x/$v):
  Recently, the Library of Congress launched a project to modify values of bytes 008/15 (Subj use) in subdivision authority records. The new values in the records are 008/15 = b and replace the previously coded values of 008/15 = a. Changes have been made to ignore the value of the 008/15 value in all subdivision records that and allow users to control to the correct subdivision record.

Corrections and Enhancements to Connexion Browser, installed May 21, 2006:

• Reimplementation of Metadata Extraction: The Metadata Extraction functionality in the Connexion browser has been revised and expanded. In addition to creating records for web sites, users may now extract metadata and create records for locally stored files in the following formats: .htm, .html, pdf, and .doc. Creating records automatically from extracted data will allow users to quickly start the cataloging process for more types of electronic resources, such as electronic dissertations and theses, government documents on the web, and much more. The creation dialogs for metadata extraction have been revised to place all extract functionality on the same screen rather than splitting between Create/Single Record and Create/Multiple Records.
• OCLC-MARC Format Update 2006
  • With this May installation, OCLC begins implementation of changes in preparation for the OCLC-MARC Format Update 2006 that affect both the Connexion browser and client interfaces. Complete information regarding this update is found in Technical Bulletin 252.
  • Except for specific changes detailed in Section 8 “Summary of Connexion Changes” in Technical Bulletin 252, OCLC strongly recommends that Connexion browser and client users NOT begin to use new capabilities, new fields and subfields, new indicators, new practices, new codes, and new characters until OCLC announces that they may be used. Note that, as OCLC converts data, users may encounter instances of this new data.
  • Complete implementation will be announced in June 2006.
• Webdewey / Abridged Webdewey May Quarterly Release
  • The May release consists of updating the DDC 22 and Abridged 14 databases in WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey, respectively. These database updates contain the latest changes to the DDC, including new editorially mapped LCSH including up to Weekly List no. 27 & 28 (2005) and monthly postings.
  • Listings of new and changed entries are available at: < http://www.oclc.org/dewey/updates/new/ >
  • The database also includes updates to the segmentation marks and notes through 780 to reflect the new LC policy on segmentation that became effective on September 1, 2005.
• Material types in Search Dialog
  • The Material Type (Mat. Type) list has been added to the Keyword/Numeric Search area in the Connexion browser to join the existing limiters of Language, Source, Format, Years, Microform, Internet and Holdings.
• Connexion Browser Logoff Warning Screen
  • The wording of the Active Records message on the Connexion browser logoff warning screen and the format of the screen has been changed to clarify the meaning of the active records message and to provide libraries with the information to hide the logoff warning if you prefer not to see the message.
• Error Fixes:
  • Ability to correctly control subdivisions ($x/$v)
    Recently, the Library of Congress launched a project to modify values of bytes 008/15 (Subj use) in subdivision authority records. The new values in the records are 008/15 = b and replace the previously coded values of 008/15 = a. This had a negative impact on the ability to control some subdivisions if the heading was represented in separate authority records as both a form and topical (e.g., $x Congresses, $v Congresses) and the 008/15 values in one record = a and in the other record = b. Changes have been made to ignore the value of the 008/15 value in all subdivision records that and allow users to control to the correct subdivision record.

To stay current on enhancements and corrections, see OCLC System News in either the client or the browser.

[OCLC - edited by L. Pinsley, OCLC Services Manager, Nylink]