WorldShare ILL Beta Testing Complete, Libraries Move Forward in Phased Migration to WorldShare Platform

OCLC has completed beta testing of the new OCLC WorldShare Interlibrary Loan service with librarians from 20 OCLC member libraries. The next step is moving forward with an 18-month phased migration to the new service.

WorldShare Interlibrary Loan is scheduled to replace WorldCat Resource Sharing in 2013 as part of libraries' existing subscriptions. The new service will centralize workflows now managed in multiple systems, and provide new functionality that speeds fulfillment of interlibrary loan requests, saving time for library staff and library users.

Librarians from these institutions provided input that helped shape the development of WorldShare Interlibrary Loan. Many beta testing participants will continue their roles as advisors to OCLC on development of the new service as members of a new WorldShare Interlibrary Loan Advisory Group.

The release of WorldShare Interlibrary Loan represents the first large migration of OCLC member libraries to the OCLC WorldShare Platform, where they will benefit from expanded integration across a growing number of services. The platform will enable library staff and others to develop applications that will help them connect the service with other services in use within their libraries. They may also use the new service it in conjunction with other components of OCLC WorldShare Management Services.

Participation in the next managed migration group, scheduled to begin in October 2012, will be open to interested WorldCat Resource Sharing librarians whose normal interlibrary loan activities can be supported by available functionality in the service before its full release in February.