Next Generation Melvyl Pilot – November Enhancements

By Ellen Meltzer, CDL Information Services Manager

On Sunday, November 2, new functionality was brought into Next Generation Melvyl supported by WCL.  The following notes, written by OCLC’s Bob Schulz, Laura Endress, and Bob Robertson-Boyd, describe these changes.

Enhancement:  Move all subjects into top level item metadata, removing Subjects tab

What it means for the user

Subjects, which used to appear under the Subjects tab, now all appear in the top level metadata with the rest of the subjects.  Long lists of subjects will be hidden under a collapsible window which can be opened to view them.  This removes a usability issue with Subjects appearing in multiple parts of the detailed record view.

Example:

https://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/about/oclc_docs/screenshots/worldcat_local.gif

Enhancement:  Editions Page Enhancements

What it means for the user

Moved metadata into columns to make identifying the differences between editions much simpler.  Added the ability for a user to add editions to lists.

Example:

https://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/about/oclc_docs/screenshots/the_daVincicode_novel.gif

Enhancement:  WorldCat Profile Redesign

What it means for the user

The profile design updates improve the look and feel of the page and make it easier for the user to find and manage things they’ve done on WorldCat – and to view other users’ WorldCat activities via their public profile view.

Example:

https://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/about/oclc_docs/screenshots/worldcat2.gif

Enhancement:  List Watching

What it means for the user

Users may track updates on interesting lists created by other WorldCat users.

Example:

When viewing a WorldCat user’s lists, select the list(s) you’d like to watch:

https://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/about/oclc_docs/screenshots/worldcat3.gif

Track all lists you are watching from you profile page:

Enhancement:  weRead Reviews and Related Items

What it means for the user

More evaluative content provided for users to determine if this is the library item they are looking for.  (Primarily appears on popular materials.)

Example:

From the detailed record page for an item:

https://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/about/oclc_docs/screenshots/list.gif

Enhancement:  Enhanced Login Process

What it means for the user

An unauthenticated user opting to perform an action on WorldCat.org that requires login will be prompted by the system, at that point where needed, to login and will remain at the location in their workflow.

Example:

https://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/about/oclc_docs/screenshots/worldcat4.gif

Enhancement:  Dial-A-Book excerpts added

What it means for the user

Parts of the full text of items will be made available via a pop-up window.  These excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book.  The link to them will appear in the Get It section on WorldCat.org and under the cover art on WorldCat Local.

Example:

https://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/about/oclc_docs/screenshots/worldcat_org.gif

https://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/about/oclc_docs/screenshots/worldcat_local.gif