WLN Report
In May 1997, WLN and Ameritech Library Services announced a joint project to build the next generation of software to run bibliographic utilities and cooperatives using Ameritech's client/server Horizon software. Software developers from both companies are now enhancing the Horizon software to meet the emerging needs of consortia, networks, and other library groups. WLN will use the resulting software to operate its network of several hundred libraries throughout North America. These libraries access the WLN central database at its headquarters in Lacey, Washington. WLN staff has already started to enhance the Horizon Cataloging module. Other modules such as Interlibrary Loan and Acquisitions will follow. The Cataloging module includes: staff searching; a version 3 Z39.50 server; multiple database capabilities; Unicode handling of the full ALA character set; Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other languages support; ability to handle multiple MARC formats; and other union catalog features. This module is scheduled for testing in the summer of 1998.
WLN has become a copy-holding participant in NACO, the Name Authority Cooperative Program. Nine WLN librarians received a week's instruction from a NACO trainer from the Library of Congress earlier this year. They can now create new headings and make modifications to existing personal, corporate, and geographic name headings directly online to the national authority file. WLN also announced the participation of the Library of Congress as an online provider of ILL requests via the WLN Interlibrary Loan System.
For fiscal year 1997-1998, WLN will continue its policy to give credits for original cataloging of non-print materials. Credits for bibliographic records include $1.00 for minimal level, $3.00 for core level, and $5.00 for full level. Libraries that contribute the most to the database will get the lowest prices possible for its use. As another benefit to member libraries, WLN offered several training sessions this year, including ones for non-print cataloging. Sessions included sound recordings, videos, and computer files. Workshops were held in Lewiston, Idaho and Great Falls, Montana. As of July 20, 1997, the WLN database included 112,676 bibliographic records for printed music, 1320 records for manuscript music, and 299,355 records for musical sound recordings. In addition, WLN continues to add Professional Media Service Corporation's original media cataloging, which includes a large number of bibliographic records for musical sound recordings, to its database on a monthly basis.
Submitted by Christine Zuger, Cataloging Librarian, WLN.
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Last updated February 4, 2000