The StackMap and OCLC Integration is a “Game Changer”

This past January, Seton Hall University Library announced that StackMap would be integrated with OCLC’s WorldCat Discovery. Since then, searching for titles has become a streamlined process for both staff and patrons. We spoke with Sebastian Derry, Assistant Dean for Public Services, about how they were very eager to welcome the integration. 

Pre-StackMap, our library was frustrating for students. Our serpentine arrangement of stacks and books has always made it a challenge — even for us who work here. We’re up in the stacks daily and there were still some hurdles in finding materials. 

Last fall, we heard that OCLC was going to be integrating StackMap, so it was just a matter of waiting before they turned it on. Having OCLC and StackMap together has been a game changer. The initial book search with StackMap was very easy in OCLC, and we quickly realized, “Oh wow, we need this in the Discovery layer.” We got on OCLC’s case to put it in their Discovery service so that it’s everywhere, and so that you don’t lose that functionality when you’re looking at books in the Discovery in addition to the Catalog. 

The integration was seamless. It’s made Discovery and checking out material a whole lot easier for our patrons. Whatever the title you’re searching for, OCLC pulls it up in every possible format, eBook, music score, you name it. Then once you narrow and limit the search to an available item within the library, you don’t have to do anything. The “Map It” button is positioned very clearly under the call number. You hit that button and the map pops up right in the browser and you can take a look. 

A SIDE NOTE ABOUT END CAP SIGNS:

"The other thing about StackMap is that as we’re doing shifting, space management, or updating end cap signage — updating the underlying spreadsheets is very easy to do. You generate and print up an end cap sign, cut it to shape, put it in the slot and take out the old one. Our collection is now more accurate and that’s just better for patrons because now when they’re looking at the end cap, it’s where the book is supposed to be."

• Sebastian Derry, Assistant Dean for Public Services at Seton Hall University