Using the FirstSearch Administrative Module

PLEASE NOTE:

In March 2010, OCLC announced that it is transitioning away from reselling eContent provided by publishers and other content providers. During the transition, databases will be removed from the FirstSearch service each month through June 30, 2011.  Both subscription and per-search databases will be removed.

The end of FirstSearch access is determined by the following factors:

1. Subscription databases are removed from the service once all active subscriptions to them have expired.
2. Some databases are removed from FirstSearch at the request of the database producer.
3. Databases from H. W. Wilson are scheduled to be removed from FirstSearch on June 30, 2011, per our March 2010 agreement with H.W. Wilson.

Details of the transition dates are available here: www.vivalib.org/tech/documents/DatabaseList_21December2010.pdf

***********************************

Although VIVA funds access to FirstSearch, OCLC has given each VIVA library its own authorization number. The authorization number permits libraries to tailor the FirstSearch environment for your own users. However, because FirstSearch is a shared resource with cost implications for the members, VIVA has set some mandatory guidelines that must be followed by all libraries. Use the FirstSearch administrative module to implement these guidelines. Additional information about configuring FirstSearch and constructing URLs is available.

Log on to the FirstSearch administrative module. Each library has been given its own authorization number and password. If you do not know your number or password, contact OCLC. VIVA does not have a record of institutional numbers or passwords.

In the tab for Authentication/Access: General, there are two parameters that must be set:

Timeouts: 5 Session minutes
Maximum Number of Databases per Search: 1

You are free to set all other System Settings in whatever way that works best for your library.

In the tab for Authentication/Access: Database Access, you must make certain that only VIVA authorized databases are checked (see the list below.) If your library wants to use additional databases or enable full-text, you must do so with a separate authorization number available through OCLC.