Question:  What is OCLC CatExpress?

• Answer:   OCLC CatExpress is an OCLC Web-based copy cataloging product. It provides full search capabilities in WorldCat® (the OCLC Online Union Catalog) and the ability to receive selected OCLC MARC records for loading into your local system. Through INFOhio it is affordably priced for small school libraries.

Question:  What are the advantages of OCLC CatExpress?

• Answer:  Records found in WorldCat can be in your local database the following day. Some enhancements can be done via OCLC CatExpress and item information can be added. The records loaded into your local system can be complete and no additional keying is necessary.

Question:  How big is the WorldCat database? Does it have records for materials other than books? What kind of hit rate can I expect?

• Answer:  WorldCat is a shared database of bibliographic records. Right now, there are about 42 million records for materials in all formats, from books to cake pans, and in over 400 languages. If you primarily are acquiring recent, mainstream English language titles, your hit rate may be as high as 99%. Of course, "your mileage may vary" (as they say) from 80 to 95%, if you do a lot of sound recordings or audio visual materials or have a lot of locally produced materials. Even then, you may be surprised by the richness of WorldCat. Remember, there are over 8,000 libraries around the world contributing to WorldCat, and some of them may be your neighbors, collecting the same materials as you.

Question:  How do I access OCLC CatExpress?

• Answer: You will find detailed information regarding pricing and purchase orders at the INFOhio Web site  ( PDF | Word )

Question:  Do I have to load any special software to use OCLC CatExpress?

• Answer: No, you can use any workstation capable of running current generation Web browsers. We do recommend the latest version for your browser, as some OCLC CatExpress functionality may not be present if you don't have Java-script capability.

Question:  What local systems did the test libraries use?

• Answer:  The test libraries used a variety of local systems: DRA/MultiLIS, Winnebago, Dynix, Follett,  Ameritech, TLC. Even if libraries used the same system, they may have been using different versions.

Question:  I've got XYZ local system. Will OCLC CatExpress records work in my system?

• Answer:  If you can load MARC records, you can use OCLC CatExpress. If you wish to add item information in OCLC CatExpress, your local system must use the 852 field for holdings information, or be able to translate the 852 into your locally used field. Remember, you always have the option to do editing on your local system. You may want to contact both your local system vendor and your network administrator for details and assistance in loading MARC records.

Question:  Do I have to be a MultiLIS library to purchase OCLC CatExpress?

• Answer: No, any school in the state of Ohio can purchase access to OCLC CatExpress through INFOhio. Stand-alone sites will use the "OCLC Product Services Web" to download selected records the following day. DASite providers of DRA/MultiLIS will download records the following day via an automated procedure.

Question:  How much does OCLC CatExpress cost?

• Answer: Cost is based upon anticipated number of records to be copied via OCLC CatExpress. Records can be purchased in blocks of 100, 200, 250, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000. Cost per record decreases as quantity increases. Additional Information: ( PDF | Word ) 

Question:  How will I know how many records I've cataloged with OCLC CatExpress?

• Answer: You will receive via e-mail the next day, an electronic statement that summarizes your complete OCLC CatExpress activity. This will keep you informed of your usage and remaining records available on your subscription.

Question:  How long do I have to use the records I purchase?

• Answer: Records must be used during the fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Records not used are lost; there is no refund or credit. This is an OCLC policy.

Question:  Will my records be in the Union Catalog? Will others be able to copy them from the Union Catalog?

• Answer: Yes, your records will appear in the Union Catalog the following day and other school libraries in Ohio will be able to copy them just as they are currently able to copy any record from the Union Catalog.

Question:  What do I do about original cataloging, or getting records I can't find in WorldCat?

• Answer: Users of DRA/MultiLIS provided by DASites may submit original cataloging requests through the current OCLC record request procedure. View instructions on how to submit a cataloging request at About INFOhio's Union Catalog.
            OCLC Record Request Procedures for MultiLIS Users
                      OCLC Record Request Instructions

Question:  Why would I pay for OCLC CatExpress if I can obtain records free from the Union Catalog?

• Answer: The Union Catalog doesn't have every record you might need, and budget cuts caused INFOhio's OCLC Record Request Service to be discontinued in May 2003. CatExpress remains a cost-effective and convenient way to obtain high-quality records at a low cost. It is expected that schools subscribing to OCLC CatExpress will be a benefit to all, as more records will appear in the Union Catalog as a result of the efforts of the OCLC CatExpress subscribers.

Question:  How can I get more information about accessing OCLC CatExpress?

• Answer: Contact Juanita Markham, INFOhio Technical Support, (419) 228-7417.