[Yulpub] Fwd: WorldCat (almost) becomes Wikipedia

[Suzanne Lorimer]

>  Users of OCLC's WorldCat database may now add reviews, notes and tables
>of contents to WorldCat records through a new option that facilitates
>sharing among library users worldwide. The user contribution option in
>the WorldCat and WorldCat-related databases on the OCLC FirstSearch
>service extends a pilot begun in late 2005 to enable contribution of
>content to WorldCat records in the Find in a Library interface of the
>Open WorldCat program.
>
>User-contributed content helps extend the OCLC cooperative to include
>record-enhancing information from non-cataloging library professionals
>as well as library users. For example, family members may add notes to
>records for genealogical materials about their families, or community
>members may comment on historical photographs or documents from digital
>collections about their communities that reside in the WorldCat
>database.
>
>Content such as notes and tables of contents may be expanded or edited
>by other members of the viewing community.  Personal reviews are visible
>to all WorldCat users, but may not be edited except by the original
>reviewer.
>
>A new tab labeled "Add/View Comments" in the full record display
>contains notes, reviews and tables of content that have been contributed
>by WorldCat users.  Upon release of this new option within the
>FirstSearch service, all content contributed through the Find in a
>Library interface will be visible.  Content added through both Find in a
>Library and FirstSearch will be visible in all public views of the
>WorldCat database.
>
>Users can immediately contribute content after registering a personal
>account. Their account allows them to return to the interface at any
>time, log in and create or revise content. Guidelines for content
>contributions are provided, and OCLC monitors all submissions.
>User-contributed content is associated with a WorldCat record, but is
>maintained separately and does not become part of the record's
>authoritative bibliographic information.
>
>WorldCat-related databases available through the FirstSearch service
>that also include the new user-contributed content are Ebooks
>(Electronic Books), WorldCat Dissertations and Theses and all
>custom-built group catalogs.
>
>Now that users have the ability to add content to WorldCat-related
>databases, the base functionality is in place to build on. We are
>interested in hearing your suggestions and encourage you to contact us
>via the Comments link in FirstSearch or the Feedback link in
>OpenWorldCat. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing the content
>you add to WorldCat!
>
>
>Questions? Consult the online help or contact your regional service
>provider (http://www.oclc.org/contacts/regional/) or OCLC Customer
>Support (1-800-848-5800 or support at oclc.org).
>
>
>Stay informed.
>If you received FIRSTSEARCH-L from a colleague, subscribe directly:
>http://www.oclc.org/oclc/forms/listserv.htm .

Suzanne Lorimer
Coordinator of Research Services
226 Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven, CT  06520-8240
(phone) 203-432-8371  (fax) 203-432-8527