In Reference...
(November 1999 Action for Libraries newsletter)

OCLC New FirstSearch Updated

OCLC continues to add new features to the New FirstSearch Service released in August of this year. Now available are the ability to limit searches to full text, full-text linking across databases and full-text icon displays in brief results list for all linked databases. Searching features have been enhanced, and the Administrative Module offers additional internal controls for your library. Many features are already in place or scheduled to be in place by November. For more information go to www.oclc.org/oclc/fs_new/features.htm.

OCLC also has published a New FirstSearch Database Implementation Schedule that details when the New FirstSearch databases are available. Sixty-four databases are currently accessible, with a further 22 available in November. Information on specific database availability can be found at features_db.htm.

OCLC has decided to discontinue per-search access to the GeoRef database on December 18, 1999, rather than on December 30, to ensure the complete removal of the database prior to December 31, and to allow libraries to plan ahead. Libraries that currently have or are interested in subscribing to the GeoRef database should contact at BCR.

H.W. Wilson Announces New Databases

The H.W. Wilson Company has added the following new databases to its catalogue:
    Applied Science & Technology Full Text
    Art Abstracts Full Text
    Art Index Retrospective
    Current Biography Illustrated
    Famous First Facts
    Library Literature Full Text
    OmniFile Full Text Mega
    Short Story Index
    Wilson Biographies Plus
    Wilson Biographies Illustrated
    Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated

H.W. Wilson Announces New Pricing

A new pricing structure for many H.W. Wilson databases has been implemented on all new orders and is effective in November on all renewals. Price increases range between 5 percent and 15 percent and affect the following Wilson databases:
  • Applied Science & Technology Abstracts, Art Abstracts, Business Abstracts Full Text, Business Abstracts, Education Abstracts Full Text, General Science Abstracts Full Text, Humanities Abstracts, Humanities Abstracts Full Text, Wilson OnmiFile Full Text Mega Edition, Wison OmniFile V Full Text, Social Sciences Abstracts Full Text and Social Sciences Abstracts - 5 percent increase.

  • Biography Index, Biological & Agricultural Index, Book Review Digest, Cumulative Book Index, Essay and General Literature Index, Index to Legal Periodicals & Books, and Library Literature - 10 percent increase.

  • Applied Science & Technology Index, Business Periodicals Index, Education Index, General Science Index, Humanities Index, Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature and Social Sciences Index - 15 percent increase.
For questions or to subscribe to any reference database -- CD-ROM, online or Internet- accessible -- contact BCR's Jim Hensinger or Karen Graham.