School Libraries and Information Literacy FAQs
SCIS in school libraries
What training is available for using SCISWeb?
The SCISWeb Manual includes information on ordering records and using the OPAC to search for records for resources that do not have an ISBN. You can also browse a set of general frequently asked questions at SCISWeb Manual. The manual is accessed from Product Information, SCISWeb, on the main screen at
http://www.curriculum.edu.au/scis/productinfo/scisweb_manual.htm
How do I download SCIS records to OASIS
To download SCIS records to OASIS follow the instructions at Loading USMARC records
How many records can I download in one session?
When ordering from SCISWeb it is suggested, initially, that you download a maximum of ten records at a time. This will allow most records to load successfully without errors occurring. As you become familiar with the product, you can increase this number to suit your needs.
What do I do about resources that aren't on SCISWeb?
Contact Anne Dowling, NSW SCIS Cataloguing Coordinator, on (02) 9886 7587 or email to Anne.Dowling@det.nsw.edu.au
Why do resources on the same topic have different classification numbers?
SCIS records are classified according to the Abridged Dewey Classification edition 14 and the Dewey Decimal Classification edition 22. Some of the numbers in these editions of Dewey have been extensively revised. The records you are ordering now may have different numbers to other resources in your library on the same topic.
The revisions to the Dewey Decimal Classification system are ongoing and incorporate changes in each subject area as necessary. The Dewey home page has monthly lists of new and changed numbers. These monthly lists are monitored by the SCIS cataloguers and changes incorporated into the SCIS database as they occur.
Who do I ring for help with SCISWeb?
If you need help with connecting to SCISWeb contact the Curriculum Corporation directly on 1800 337 405.
If your problem is in downloading to OASIS, contact the OASIS Technology Support line on 1800 338 483.
How are website records downloaded from SCISWeb? What about barcodes and accession numbers?
Web site records are downloaded in the same way as records for other resources without ISBNs. The SCIS number is used as the order number in Create orders. By using the search facility in SCISOPAC you can locate the record and then find the SCIS number at the top of the record.
It is recommended that a separate order be sent for websites and a separate batch downloaded. This allows management tasks to be simplified.
• A barcode has to be added for each record and so it is recommended that a unique sequence of barcodes be given to websites.
• Ensure that you are familiar with the next barcode to allocate then overwrite it (making a note of the current barcode and accession number that is in each field) with a unique website barcode e.g. W00001. (You do not need a physical sticker nor do you need to produce a register with barcode stickers listed with the corresponding URL.)
• Then reset your barcode allocation
• There is no need for an accession number, you can blank this out on the individual record when you download the SCIS records.
• Location should be given as WEB so that the item isn’t initialised during annual Stocktake. The resource loan category should indicate not for loan.
When do you need to use SCIS OPAC?
• SCIS OPAC is an online catalogue of all the records in the SCIS database. The SCIS OPAC functions Basic Search and Guided Search can be used to locate resources by author, title, publisher, keyword, ISBN, series and subject. It can also be used to find the cataloguing record for items that don’t have an ISBN like videos, computer software and web sites. Once the record has been located on SCIS OPAC the SCIS number can be used to order the record to download to OASIS.
• More advanced uses of SCIS OPAC include identifying suitable catalogued web sites, finding additional titles by a particular author, other titles in a series, checking availability of electronic resources or subject searches for recent items.
© State of New South Wales through the Department of Education and Training, 2008. All rights reserved.
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© State of New South Wales through the Department of Education and Training, 2008. All rights reserved.
Conditions of use | Contact us
Report incorrect, out-of-date or missing information