Weekly News Digest

OCLC announced the latest release of CONTENTdm, its digital collection management software for libraries and other cultural heritage institutions. The new version, to be released in June, was developed in close consultation with CONTENTdm user groups and features increased security and other enhancements.

CONTENTdm software offers a complete set of tools to store, manage, and deliver digital collections—such as historical documents, photos, newspapers, audio, and video—on the Web. Newest features include:

• Fast multiple document entry
• Increased security for items and collections to better protect copyrighted or other restricted materials
• Detailed reports that show how online items and collections are being used
• Additional digital repository features
• Linking to WorldCat for worldwide visibility of digital collections

CONTENTdm is distributed by OCLC Online Computer Library Center, the world's largest library cooperative. Metadata for many of these digital collections is being added to the WorldCat database of items held in libraries. Once in WorldCat, special collection items can be found by searching the database or searching the Web. Items in WorldCat can now be discovered through search engines like Google and Yahoo! Search as part of the OCLC Open WorldCat program. To see examples of digital collections managed with CONTENTdm software, visit http://www.contentdm.com/customers.

Source: OCLC

The Library of Congress (LC; http://www.loc.gov) has become a member of Internet2 (http://www.internet2.edu) and will connect to Internet2's high-performance Abilene Network. Led by more than 200 U.S. universities working with industry and government, Internet2 develops and deploys advanced network applications and technologies for research and higher education. According to the announcement, t he LC plans to collaborate with the Internet2 community and leverage its advanced network infrastructure to facilitate wide-scale digital preservation projects, to enhance the development of an Internet-based database of U.S. newspapers, and to assist with its educational outreach programs.

The Library of Congress will begin using Internet2's networks for two significant preservation programs that require the use of advanced, high-bandwidth networking. The first project, called the National Digital Newspaper Program, seeks to create a national, digital resource of historically significant newspapers from all states and U.S. territories that were published between 1836 and 1922. This searchable database will be permanently maintained at the Library of Congress and be accessible via the Web. The LC also plans to work with Internet2 to facilitate its National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (http://www.digitalpreservation.gov). The LC, with its partners, is working to collect historically significant "born-digital" content before it is altered or lost.

The Library of Congress will also use Internet2's network to enhance its educational outreach program. With 34 state education networks connected to its high-performance network, more than 27,000 K-20 institutions now have access to Internet2's network.

Source: Internet2

Microsoft introduced the final version of its MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search, a suite of tools that helps people rapidly search across the Web or their PC and provides easy access to MSN services. The new version supports more file types and offers additional privacy and customization.

The MSN Search Toolbar, available for free download at http://desktop.msn.com, enables people to search their desktops from within Microsoft applications they use every day—including Microsoft Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Office. Users can search more than 200 file types on their PCs, including Outlook and Outlook Express e-mail files and attachments; Outlook Contacts or Calendar files; multimedia files; Microsoft Office Word 2003, Microsoft Office Excel 2003, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 files; MP3, GIF, and JPEG files; Adobe or PDF files; and more. Searching is also efficient with search-as-you-type functionality. People have the ability to select what information gets indexed and the types of files that are searched.

Microsoft is developing a desktop search offering, built on Windows Desktop Search, for the corporate environment. It is scheduled to be available in beta form by the end of the calendar year.

Source: Microsoft Corp.