RETURN OF BATCH UPDATES FOR THE WISCAT UNION CATALOG

Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning (RL&LL) is pleased to announce that libraries reliant on the WISCAT Union Catalog can once again submit batch updates of their holdings. Auto-Graphics, our WISCAT vendor, has agreed to process batch files. A guide to the new procedures may be obtained from Vickie Long.

WISCAT Libraries Sharing with Other Auto-Graphics' Customers

Wisconsin's WISCAT libraries have been joining the Auto-Graphics Inter-System Sharing Initiative (ISSI) in droves! This initiative allows for trading directly with other states using the AGent software. This effort helps speed up the processing of requests (if WISCAT cannot fill the request within Wisconsin). It is entirely up to an individual library to choose to become a participant. As of today the following WISCAT libraries are participating:

Alma Public Library, Arcadia Public Library, Bangor Public Library, Beloit Public Library, Black River Falls Public Library, Blair-Preston Public Library, Brillion Public Library, Burlington Public Library, Campbell Public Library, Cashton High School Library, Cashton Public Library, Dodgeville Public Library, Eagle Public Library, Elroy Public Library, Fond du Lac Public Library, Galesville Public Library, Hillsboro High School, Hillsboro Public Library, Holmen Area Library, Janesville Public Library, Kewaskum Public Library, La Crosse Public Library, La Farge Public Library, Lakeshore Technical College Library (Cleveland), Lakeshores Library System [lender representing 12 public libraries], Lancaster Public Library, Manitowoc Public Library, Mercy Medical Center Library (Oshkosh), Merrill Public Library, Mondovi Public Library, Muskego Public Library, Necedah Public Library, New Holstein Public Library, New Lisbon Public Library, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Library (Green Bay), Norwalk Public Library, Onalaska Public Library, Ontario Public Library, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Port Washington Public Library, Racine Public Library,  Resources for Libraries & Lifelong Learning –DPI, RL&LL (Madison), Sparta Public Library, Tomah Public Library, Trempealeau Public Library, Two Rivers Public Library, Viroqua Public Library, Waterford Public Library, Waukesha County Technical College Library (Pewaukee), Waupun Public Library, West Salem Public Library, Westby Public Library, Wilton Public Library, Winding Rivers Professional Collection, Wonewoc Public Library.

If you are interested in joining, want to try it for a 6 month trial period, or simply want to know more, contact Vickie Long at Vickie.Long@dpi.wi.gov.

User Group Webinar Dates for 2012

The WISCAT team has scheduled our User Group dates for 2012. Please mark your calendars. Each webinar will start at 2 pm and last (60-90 minutes).

Please let us know if you want to discuss any particular topic. This is your opportunity to learn more from your ILL colleagues and the WISCAT team! Email Christine at Christine.Barth@dpi.wi.gov with topic ideas.

South Central Library System Holdings No Longer in the WISCAT Union Catalog

Near the end of 2010, the South Central Library System (SCLS) holdings were removed from the WISCAT Union Catalog. The WISCAT team did this for a couple reasons. First these holdings were somewhat dated. Second, WISCAT software is now using the ISO ILL connection to WorldCat Resource Sharing to identify SCLS as a lender. Requests will still be routed to SCLS's ILL team, but the WISCAT community won't see those holdings in the Union Catalog. This change simplified the management of the Union Catalog and helped us clean up the data.