OCLC FirstSearch Changes

MeL Database WilsonSelectPlus platform to change on Aug. 1st

OCLC ANNOUNCES CHANGES AFFECTING MEL DATABASES.

On March 17, OCLC announced two major changes.



First, OCLC is selling NetLibrary to EBSCO.  Since NetLibrary already 
exists on its own platform, MeL users will not notice any difference in 
using the MeL collection, and libraries do not need to do anything.  IP 
information has already been transferred to EBSCO, and links do not need 
to be changed.



Second, OCLC is phasing out distribution of "third party" databases, such 
as WilsonSelectPlus.  MeL staff at Library of Michigan and MCLS conferred 
and decided that it would be best to switch all MeL accounts at one time on 
August 1, 2010, prior to the start of the fall semester.  [Note: The only 
exception to this is the group of libraries that subscribe to what is 
called "the Wilson14" through MCLS).]

This change affects only WilsonSelectPlus, and will not affect any FirstSearch databases 
that OCLC generates, such as ArticleFirst or WorldCat.

 MeL Support staff at MCLS wlll work with H.W. Wilson to implement the 
changes and set up new accounts for all Michigan libraries.  For libraries 
that access MeL via mel.org, no action is needed.  If libraries maintain 
their own websites with direct links to various databases, they will need 
to change the link for WilsonSelectPlus to:
 http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com/hww/jumpstart.jhtml 



Wilson has set up support and information pages to help answer any 
questions at this URL:
 http://www.hwwilson.com/oclc/ 

Please ignore the information on that page about billing because this is 
still a part of MeL and, therefore, available at no charge to all Michigan 
libraries.



All technical and training support is still available to libraries from 
staff at MCLS under the MeL support contract.  Questions about the transition can be sent to meldatabaseshelp@mcls.org.

[30 Jun 2010]