SERIALS CONTROL FROM OCLC EUROPE

OCLC Europe has recently introduced serials control to its local systems range. This module, SC350, runs on the M300 workstation and is available in stand alone mode or as a complement to the minicomputer‐based LS/2000 system. While it is the same version of SC350 that works in either mode, it is on the LS/2000 view of the system that this account concentrates. The development path adopted for serials is different from that of the core LS/2000 system, taking a heavily distributed approach and making optimum use of the local processing capabilities of OCLC's M300 workstation, a modified PC. Used in conjunction with LS/2000, the serials control module performs functions such as checkins, prediction calculations and claims review on the micro, and interfaces with the LS/2000 minicomputer system for exchange and update of bibliographic records, of holdings details etc., all of which are then accessible via the Online Public Access Catalogue. In stand alone mode, the user has facilities for communicating with and downloading from the OCLC Online Union Catalogue on the Shared System in Dublin, Ohio; this is seen as the most likely way in which users will create their files, though an optional data entry facility is also provided for those wishing to use it in true standalone mode. The software was originally developed by MetaMicro Library Systems Inc as their micro‐based serials system and has since been taken on board by OCLC who have jointly with MetaMicro worked to enhance the package and to develop the communications interfaces with LS/2000 and the Union Files of the Shared System. A analogous development is proposed for Acquisitions. This package, to be known as ACQ350, is presently being developed with OCLC specifying its features and MetaMicro doing the programming. It is expected to be publically available in late 1986. From the beginning it will be both a single and a multi‐user system and will be available in standalone and LS/2000 forms.