The OLUC from an NACO point of View: Eliminating derived search keys

Abstract

The current resurgence of cooperative cataloging initiatives requires that the Online Union Catalog (OLUC) search keys evolve to allow more precise searching. OCLC has made great strides recently in ways to search the OLUC (the scan title search being a tremendous improvement). Two recent events, combined with the cooperative cataloging activities, prompt this call for accelerated change in OLUC search mechanisms. Phrase searching, until now not available (the scan search is only partially there), must be brought into existence soon to support and promote the renewed emphasis on cooperative efforts. In doing so, we will all benefit. OCLC will get a more dynamic, cleaner database to market and, increasingly, to repackage and sell. Catalog departments worldwide will have a better source database and have an easier time making greater contributions in cooperative programs. As for the derived search keys, they don′t really need to die – withering from disuse would be fine.