[iBorrow] iBorrow to OCLC update

[Beth Farmer]

Many of the iBorrow participating libraries use OCLC as the lender of
last resort.   If your library uses this functionality, this message is
for you.  If you do not use the functionality, you can delete now. :)

In Alleycat requests only went to OCLC when a staff member submitted
them to OCLC from the Alleycat provisional file.  These requests were
all mediated.

In iBorrow the software manages the OCLC connectivity in an unmediated
mode.  iBorrow will submit requests to OCLC automatically just as it
submits them automatically to participating libraries.   We have
requested an enhancement to permit libraries to choose whether they want
these requests to go to OCLC unmediated or to mediate them.  

We are also experiencing some difficulties with the OCLC connectivity.
The following summarizes:

1. Not all requests are going automatically to OCLC as they are supposed
to.  If the short bibliographic information contained in the request
does not include a number, such as the ISBN, ISSN or OCLC number, the
request cannot go to OCLC.  A number is required.  Unfortunately, a bug
in the software does not permit you to edit the short bibliographic
information and put the number in.  To manage these you must manually
enter them in OCLC if you wish for them to be fulfilled there.  

2. The requests that are going automatically to OCLC are not receiving
the update information from OCLC.  The way this is SUPPOSED to work is
this:
	a. iBorrow forwards the request to OCLC.
	b. OCLC sends a message to iBorrow saying that the request has
been received and provides iBorrow with the OCLC review file number.
	c. iBorrow moves the request from Mediate New Loan to Receive
Loan and includes the review file number in the request.
Because the messages are not coming back properly from OCLC the requests
are not moved to Receive Loan and you still see them in Mediate New Loan
even though they have been forwarded.  The requests in this status have
the request number repeated in the ref number column in Mediate New
Loan.  

SirsiDynix is working to correct the problem described in #2.  We will
notify you as soon as the fix is made.  When the fix is made iBorrow
will update all of existing requests that are "hung" in Mediate New Loan
and move them to Receive Loan.  It will also update all new requests as
they come in.  

If you have any questions, please let us know. 


Beth Farmer, 813.622.8252 ex 228 / farmerb at tblc.org 
Al Carlson, 813.622.8252 ex 223 / carlsoa at tblc.org 
Matt Smith, 813.622.8252 ex 229 / smithmm at tblc.org 


Beth

Beth Farmer
Assistant Director
Tampa Bay Library Consortium
1202 Tech Blvd., Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33619
(813) 622-8252 x228
farmerb at tblc.org 

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