DevConnect Agenda

Virtual community series
Starting April 2025

Thursday, April 10, 2025

In response to organizational restructuring, West Virginia University's Metadata Unit streamlined quality control workflows for a more distributed team of cataloging staff by running python scripts on raw MARC delivered by a query collection. The scripts deliver a count of each cataloger's new and edited bibliographic and holdings records, and provide a selection of fields relevant to their current projects in a spreadsheet that can be easily reviewed and used to assign manual corrections. API calls to execute corrections could also be integrated easily into these scripts. I will provide line by line explanation of code, which uses pandas, pymarc, and SQLite in a Google Colab environment on data accessible to any WorldShare Management Services (WMS) subscriber, and I will reflect on how the scripts assisted with change management during a large, organizational transition.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Several OCLC APIs offer endpoints for updating records. This talk will describe a general strategy for updating pre-identified batches of records using these APIs via Python, focusing on two use-cases: patron records and local holdings records. In both cases, Larry will explain why alternative bulk update methods -- using patron data files via FTP or Record Manager's bulk actions for LHRs -- might be enough for most scenarios, but not for all, and why the added flexibility of a general-purpose programming language might be what you want in some cases.

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Join us for a webinar as we dive into the evolving role of artificial intelligence and library discovery products. Whether you're just starting to explore AI or looking to understand how it’s being integrated into library services, this session will give you the foundational knowledge you need. Agenda: A comprehensive overview of key AI concepts and terminology, designed to provide context for incorporating new AI features into our discovery tools. Discover how OCLC is integrating AI into its discovery products, including an exploration of where AI can enhance services and where alternative solutions may be more effective in meeting our goals. This session is ideal for library professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve in tech advancements and gain insights into how AI is shaping the future of library discovery.

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Join data experts from University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, and OCLC to learn why you don’t need to sacrifice student privacy when harnessing usage statistics to solve your institution’s big problems. Although EZproxy data is utilized in this presentation, we’ll delve into platform-neutral approaches. Don’t let your library fall behind in these important, industry-wide conversations! Presenters: Ken Varnum, Senior Program Manager and Discovery Strategist, Library Information Technology, University of Michigan Library Shane Nackerud, Director, Affordable Learning and Open Education (ALOE), University of Minnesota Libraries Sean Duffy, Product Manager, OCLC

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Join us for a DevConnect session delving into the world of APIs with Senior Product Analyst, Karen Coombs. Learn how to leverage OCLC APIs to streamline your workflows and elevate your projects Discover pro tips and strategies for optimizing your API interactions for maximum efficiency Gain valuable insights on utilizing Postman effectively for testing and harnessing OCLC APIs to their full potential Whether you're a seasoned developer or a newcomer to the API landscape, this session is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to excel with OCLC's suite of APIs. Karen will be available to address all your questions, no matter how basic or complex they may be. Remember, there are no wrong questions when it comes to expanding your understanding and skills! To make the most of this session, we encourage you to submit your questions in advance to our Community Manager, Carly DiVito. By submitting your questions early, you ensure they receive priority and are addressed during the session.