LAUNCHED today! The Next Generation Melvyl Pilot
The University of California (UC) Libraries have launched a pilot version of a replacement for the current Melvyl Catalog, which contains records for holdings at all ten UC campuses. Users are encouraged to test the pilot, called Next-Generation Melvyl, and offer feedback on how well it meets their needs. The UCLA version is available at http://ucla.worldcat.org.
The pilot features a single interface that searches holdings in all UC Libraries, those of libraries around the world, and UC books digitized by Google. It also searches for article references in education (from journals indexed in ERIC), medicine and health (from journals indexed in Medline), U.S. government publications (from journals indexed in GPO), and general topics (from journals indexed in ArticleFirst). UC-eLinks can then be used to access the full text or print-copy information for journals to which there is a UC subscription.
Because the process of loading records into the pilot database is extremely complex, most but not all Melvyl records will be available during this testing phase. Throughout the pilot, the current Melvyl Catalog (http://melvyl.cdlib.org) and all its functionality will be maintained and available as usual.
Search results are displayed with local records first, then UC records, then records from other libraries worldwide. From the individual records, users can check circulation status, place holds on items at their home campuses, and request items held elsewhere, both within the UC system and beyond.
Other features include the ability to easily refine searches, build and share lists of library resources, view personal ratings and reviews of items, cite items in various styles, export citations in multiple formats, and search the catalog using several languages.
The pilot, which begins today, will last at least six months. Following its completion, a decision will be made about whether to move forward with it or to pursue other options.
Next-Generation Melvyl has been created in collaboration with the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). This partnership enables the UC libraries to integrate their collection resources – whether purchased, locally digitized, or digitized by third parties – with collections around the world in ways that meet the needs of students and faculty.
OCLC is a nonprofit library membership and research organization that provides computer-based cataloging, reference, resource sharing, preservation, and electronic content services to 57,000 libraries in 112 countries and territories. OCLC and its member libraries worldwide also have created and maintain WorldCat (http://worldcat.org), the world’s richest online resource for finding library materials.�
