Date: Tue, 21 Jun 1994 15:57:20 -0400 (EDT)
From: Myrtle Myers <Myrtle_Myers@OCLC.ORG>
Sender: "SEREDIT:  SERIALST Editors" <SEREDIT@UVMVM.BITNET>

CEO document contents:

OCLC PRISM Union List Update

I have become aware in the past few weeks of a number of misconceptions about
what is going to occur when OCLC reimplements the Union List Subsystem into the
PRISM environment.  Following is a high-level overview of some of the changes
that will be occurring:

Standards

With PRISM Union Listing OCLC will be implementing the serial holdings standard
Z39.44-1986 at the summary level (Level 3).  The standard gives two options for
displaying chronology and enumeration.  OCLC will be using Option B which is
not a change (Example:  v.1-v.2 1993-1994), with the exception of the use of
captions it is exactly as it is currently displayed in the current UL System.

There are, however, three other major changes that libraries need to be aware
of, (1) captions are now required if they appear on the piece, (2) gaps in
holdings are recorded only if a library owns none of the volume, and (3) the
code for permanent retention has changed from a blank to an '8'.  During the
database conversion involved with the PRISM Union List Installation OCLC will
automatically add the retention code of '8' to all Local Data Records that
currently have a blank in the subfield 'f'.  There are other minor changes
involved with the standard, libraries who do not already own the standard
should purchase a copy and begin to familiarize themselves with the changes
involved.  A chapter on the standard will be included in the new OCLC Union
List User Guide.

OCLC does expect libraries to begin inputting their serial Local Data Records
according to the Z39.44-1986 standard once PRISM Union Listing has been
installed, however, OCLC does not expect libraries to go back and
retrospectively convert the Local Data Records that are currently on the
system.  Libraries will continue to use the Z39.57-1989 standard for inputting
their non-serial LDRs.

Local Data Records

No holdings data will be lost during the installation of the PRISM Union List
System.  There will be some minor changes to the Local Data Record: (1)  Date
recorded (SIHD & SCHD subfield d) will now be an eight digit date (YYYYMMDD),
(2) To conform with the Z39.44-1986 serials standard we have added two new data
elements to the fixed field, Physical Form (Phys form:) and Holdings Type (Hld
type:), (3) we have added an LDR number (this number is not searchable), (4)
Regularity will no longer be transferred from the bibliographic record to the
Local Data Record, and (5) non-Serial Local Data Records will now display the
ISBN instead of the ISSN.

Serials Union List Offline Products

Serial Union List Offline Products will not change.  The only difference
libraries can expect to see is the retention code of '8' where they previously
saw a blank (on the Tape products this code would be in position 12 of field
008).  There are no other changes, the dates will still be 4 digits and the new
data elements in the fixed field will not be in the offline products.

Enhancements

1.  Union List displays in both the Union List and ILL Systems will reflect ILL
    supplier status (upper/lower case).
2.  Libraries who are authorized to do so can now catalog their items in the
    Cataloging System, change systems to Union List and build their union list
    information without losing their search.
3.  Union List libraries will be able to take advantage of the PRISM searching
    and editing capabilities.

For additional information on PRISM Union List and on what you can do to
prepare for it watch you OCLC logon greetings, local Network publications
and/or contact you local OCLC-affiliated Network office or you can contact me
directly.

Myrtle Myers
OCLC, Inc.
PRISM Union List Product Manager
myrtle_myers@oclc.org