In 2006 the National Library developed a new partnering agreement for bibliographic services with American organisation OCLC (Online Computer Library Center). The National Library brokered the partnership on behalf of Te Puna member libraries, with the support of the Te Puna Strategic Advisory Committee.
The agreement was officially signed on 2 February 2007, and came into effect on 1 July 2007. Te Puna libraries can now access and download bibliographic records from either OCLC or Te Puna.
Benefits for the public
The new partnership means increased exposure of New Zealand libraries' holdings online. This means web users are able to find libraries' holdings using search engines such as Google and Yahoo!. Web users can also search OCLC's WorldCat site for New Zealand library holdings and the holdings of libraries around the world.
Benefits for New Zealand libraries
The new partnership gives Te Puna libraries (libraries who are subscribers to the National Library’s digital bibliographic services) unlimited use and access to a range of OCLC's services.
- Greater bibliographic resources. Libraries have access to over 82 million bibliographic resources on OCLC's WorldCat, including non-book materials and CJK bibliographic records.
- Flexible workflows. Libraries can decide to catalogue on either OCLC, the National Union Catalogue, or both.
- Easy access to New Zealand records. Libraries are able to find up-to-date New Zealand records on OCLC and the National Union Catalogue as synchronised copies are available through both bibliographic utilities.
- Greater visibility for holding records online. Library holdings are surfaced to search engines through OCLC's OpenWorldCat programme.
Bibliographic services provided through the agreement
All Te Puna libraries have access to:
- Connexion Client – OCLC's cataloguing service
- Connexion Browser – the web version of Connexion Client
- CatExpress – OCLC's simple web-based copy cataloguing tool.
Te Puna libraries also have access to FirstSearch, an online service that gives library professionals and end users access to a rich collection of reference databases.
Further information
More information about the agreement is available on the Te Puna Subscribers Services website.
Go to the Te Puna Subscriber Services website (subscriber only access)
