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What's the difference between WorldShare Record Manager and WorldShare Record Manager Fundamentals?

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Applies to

  • WorldShare Record Manager

Answer

WorldShare Record Manager is OCLC’s full‑featured, record‑at‑a‑time cataloging and metadata management service, designed for libraries that require advanced cataloging, authority control, bulk actions, and analytics integration. It supports complex technical services workflows and is often used by WMS libraries or institutions transitioning from Connexion. Record Manager Fundamentals is a streamlined version intended for libraries with basic cataloging needs. It focuses on core tasks such as copy cataloging, setting holdings, exporting records, and creating simple local holdings records, without advanced automation or authority workflows.

 

Cataloging and Record Editing

Capability Record Manager (Full) Record Manager Fundamentals
MARC 21 editor ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Text View editor ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Authority record editing (LC, FAST, MeSH, etc.) ✅ Yes ❌ No
Bulk editing and scripts ✅ Yes ❌ No
Local Bibliographic Data (LBD) ✅ Yes ❌ No
Save in‑progress records ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

Record Manager (Full) supports bibliographic, authority, LHR, and LBD records, including bulk actions and scripted changes.

Record Manager Fundamentals is limited to editing to bibliographic records and LHRs only, on a record‑by‑record basis.

 

Authority Control

Record Manager (Full) supports creation, editing, and export of multiple authority files (LC/NACO, FAST, MeSH, GND, etc.).

Fundamentals does not support authority record editing or authority workflows.

Key distinction: If your library performs original cataloging or participates in PCC/NACO programs, Fundamentals is insufficient.

 

Roles and Permissions

Record Manager (Full)

  • Extensive role model (Cataloging Admin, Full, Limited, Bulk Edit, Authority roles, Analytics, AI enrichment, etc.)

  • Supports delegation, bulk workflows, and cross‑module permissions via WorldShare Admin

Record Manager Fundamentals

  • Simplified role set (Admin, Record Manager Basic, Supervisor, Simplified, Reports Viewer)

 

Analytics and Reporting

Record Manager (Full) integrates with the Analytics module, allowing cataloging, collection, and metadata reporting.

Fundamentals provides limited or read‑only access to reports, depending on role.

 

Holdings, Export, and Labels

Both versions support:

  • Setting and deleting WorldCat holdings
  • Exporting MARC bibliographic records
  • Creating and printing spine labels
  • Constant data and field strings

However:

  • Record Manager (Full) supports export of authority records, bulk exports, and automated workflows
  • Record Manager Fundamentals supports manual, record‑by‑record export only

 

Typical Use Cases

Choose Record Manager (Full) if you:

  • Perform original or complex copy cataloging

  • Manage authority records
  • Use bulk editing or scripts
  • Need analytics and advanced reporting
  • Previously relied on Connexion or CatExpress

Choose Record Manager Fundamentals if you:

  • Only need basic copy cataloging
  • Set holdings and export records
  • Have limited staff or technical services complexity
  • Do not manage authority data 

Page ID

67131