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From your 1999-2000 OCLC Users' Council Delegates:
   Arlene Luster                   Marcia Talley
   [log in to unmask]          [log in to unmask]
   ph: 808-449-2209                ph:  410-293-6905


THE NEW FIRSTSEARCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!


The new FirstSearch service is now available! The release of this
new service represents the culmination of a major project that
has included contributions from staff throughout OCLC and OCLC-
affiliated networks as well as the many librarians who have
provided suggestions and feedback during the development process.
Log on now to take advantage of new functionality that will
increase the visibility of your library holdings, streamline
access to millions of full-text and full-image articles, and
provide new options for customizing FirstSearch to better meet
the needs of your library and its users.

The new FirstSearch service integrates the OCLC FirstSearch and
OCLC FirstSearch Electronic Collections Online services and adds
many new features suggested by FirstSearch users. Starting today,
all current FirstSearch users may log on to the new FirstSearch
service to begin using enhanced features that include:

* Library holdings indicated in search results for all items
  cataloged in OCLC WorldCat
* Full-text and full-image articles, including electronic journal
  articles from Electronic Collections Online, linked across
  databases throughout the service
* Full-text icon in search results for all available full text
* Cross-database searching
* Database selection assistance
* New Expert search mode (in addition to Basic and Advanced
  searching)
* Truncation and use of wild cards

>From now until December 12, 1999, you have access to two versions
of FirstSearch--the version you have been using, plus the new,
enhanced version. You may move your FirstSearch use to the new
service at any time through December 12, when the current version
of FirstSearch, its current text-only interface, and the separate
Electronic Collections Online interface will be discontinued.
Over the next several months, OCLC will continue to enhance the
new FirstSearch with additional features and databases. The
schedules for implementation of these changes are at
< http://www.oclc.org/oclc/fs_new/features.htm >. By December 12,
all databases available in the current FirstSearch service will
be available in the new service.

Using the new FirstSearch is easy. Settings from your current
FirstSearch account have been copied into the new service, so you
may log on using your current authorization number and password
at the URL < http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org >. You may also wish
to try the new Web-based administrative module at
< http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/admin/ >, to customize your
account in many new ways.

Additional information about the new FirstSearch, including
details about Z39.50 access and the new guide, "Planning for the
New OCLC FirstSearch Service", is available on the new
FirstSearch Web site at
< http://www.oclc.org/oclc/menu/fs_new.htm >.

For assistance with the new FirstSearch service, please contact
your regional network, service center, or distributor, or OCLC
User and Network support (1-800-848-5800 or [log in to unmask]).