Harvard-Yenching Library ready to begin cataloging with OCLC CJK 3.0 software

On March 15 and 16, 16 Harvard-Yenching Library (HMY) catalogers and technical specialists gathered together at Lamont Library Electronic Learning Facility Center at Harvard University with Hisako Kotaka, OCLC consulting product support specialist, and worked to update the OCLC Chinese, Japanese and Korean (CJK) experience with newly released OCLC CJK 3.0 software. Shen Baoshun, technical services librarian, China Europe International Business School, was visiting the Harvard-Yenching Library at the time and joined the OCLC CJK software user update training. China Europe International Business School has been an OCLC CJK software user since late 1997.

Ms. Kotaka prepared the two-day training agenda and spoke about the newly released OCLC CJK 3.0 features and functionality. She moved on to details with participants working on new Windows NT workstations connected to OCLC via Internet. All training participants were able to follow the projected training agenda while they were engaging in various exercises with the instructor. Throughout the training, Ms. Kotaka emphasized that OCLC CJK 3.0 allows the user to control CJK cataloging time and cost more effectively by the management of "batch processing" tasks. She said that OCLC CJK 3.0 includes many new features and user options and is a multipurpose tool so that users can gradually build experience to master and use such features and options to fit local cataloging workflows and meet their needs.

Since OCLC started CJK vernacular cataloging support in 1987, OCLC CJK users have built over 1.7 million CJK records in WorldCat and enhanced their CJK library services and productivity.

The Harvard-Yenching Library staff participated in the two-day training with enthusiasm and diligence. They thought the training provided them with a fresh look at the capacity of the new version. They also enjoyed the opportunity of having face-to-face discussions with Ms. Kotaka.

Ms. Kotaka expressed her appreciation for the support she received from Harvard-Yenching Library.--James K. Lin is head of the Cataloging Services Department, Harvard-Yenching Library, Harvard University.