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    360 Core: Data Optimization - Review Database and Title Selections

    • Product: 360 Core Client Center

    How do I make sure that my database and title selections are comprehensive and correct?

    Follow these steps to ensure that you have selected the appropriate databases and titles in your Client Center Data Management profile.

    Each step includes the following: priority, service or services affected by the issue, why you would want to perform this step, how to address the issue, and additional information when available.

    This page is part of a larger set of documentation about optimizing your profile in the Client Center.


    Subscribe to databases not yet added to your Client Center's Data Management area.

    Priority: Critical

    Services Affected: 360 Core, 360 Link, 360 MARC Updates, 360 Search, Summon

    Why?

    Your institution's database subscriptions change over time, and these changes need to be reflected in Data Management. If your Data Management list is incomplete your users will not discover valuable subscribed content.

    How?

    Review your Client Center Data Management list and subscribe to any missing databases. Database types to add:


    Remove canceled databases from Data Management or hide them from your Discovery Services.

    Priority: Critical

    Services Affected: 360 Core, 360 Link, 360 MARC Updates, 360 Search, Summon

    Why?

    Your institution may discontinue some database subscriptions, and these changes need to be reflected in Data Management. Additionally, providers sometimes make it necessary for old databases to be retired in 360 KB. When this happens, you need to select the appropriate new version of the database and remove the old one. If your Data Management list contains databases that are no longer appropriate, your users will encounter broken links, and have a less than satisfactory experience with your Discovery Services.

    How?

    If you see a canceled or discontinued database in your Data Management area, remove the database by changing the status of that resource to Not Tracked. Or, if you prefer to continue seeing the database listed in Data Management, you can hide the database from your Discovery Services by unchecking the "Display In" boxes for 360 Core, 360 Link, 360 MARC Updates, 360 Search, and Summon.


    Choose special regional and consortium databases only if they are appropriate for your library.

    Priority: Critical

    Services Affected: 360 Core, 360 Link, 360 MARC Updates, 360 Search, Summon

    Why?

    Some vendors offer specific versions of databases for different countries or regions. For example, databases marked as "International" are usually intended for libraries outside the United States and may use different URLs for accessing content. When in doubt, contact your vendor to verify which database to select.

    Some resources include a consortium as part of the database name. These consortium-specific resources can have titles and coverage dates that are unique to consortium members only. If your library is not part of the consortium, choose a different database instead.

    How?

    Pay attention to database names when you perform an e-Catalog search in the Client Center because some region-specific and consortium-specific resources have database names that are similar to resources meant for most subscribers. Choose databases that are appropriate for your region, and choose consortium-specific resources only if you are a part of that consortium.

    Additional Information:

    360 Resource Manager: Consortium Functions


    Verify title selection is accurate: Select individual titles if your subscription does not cover the whole database.

    Priority: Critical

    Services Affected: 360 Core, 360 Link, 360 MARC Updates, Summon

    Why?

    ProQuest Discovery Services determine which titles your users can access by checking title statuses in the Client Center. If you have titles set to Subscribed that you do not subscribe to, your patrons will be led to inaccurate results, and they will encounter broken links. Likewise, if you have not selected the full set of titles available to your library, your users will miss out on discovering valuable content.

    How?

    If your library subscribes to only some of the titles within a database, follow the instructions in 360 Core: Including Select Titles Within a Database to learn how to select the appropriate titles. But, if you actually subscribe to the whole database, make sure that the "We subscribe to only some of the titles in this database" option is NOT checkeced to ensure new titles automatically become part of your collection in the future.

    If you subscribe to resources from ebrary or Ebook Library, see Client Center: Automated Holdings Management.

    TIP: Avoid selecting titles in the "Single Journals" database under the "Multiple Vendors" provider. Whenever possible, select titles in a database from the specific publisher to provide the best linking experience for your users.

    Additional Information:


    Customize coverage dates for titles if your library subscribes to a date range other than the default date range.

    Priority: Critical

    Services Affected: 360 Core, 360 Link, 360 MARC Updates, Summon

    Why?

    Summon and 360 Link determine whether users have access to an article by checking if the journal title is set to Subscribed in the Client Center for coverage dates that include that article. 360 Core, 360 Link, and 360 MARC Updates use the same Client Center information to display coverage dates for subscribed journals.

    In most cases, the default coverage dates shown in the Client Center will be effective for your users. But, if your library subscribes to a unique set of coverage dates, you will need to enter these in the Custom Coverage Date fields in the Client Center so that your patrons will be led to accurate results.

    How?

    Follow the instructions in 360 Core: Custom Coverage Dates for Journal Holdings to learn how customize coverage dates when necessary due to your institution's unique needs. However, if you see an error in the coverage dates, please use the Support Portal option at the top of the page to report the error to us rather than customizing the dates.

    Additional Information:


    Hide databases containing selected (incomplete) full-text.

    Priority: Recommended

    Services Affected: 360 Core, 360 Link, Summon

    Why?

    Some databases do not contain full text for all titles -- or for all coverage dates within a title -- and are noted by the words "Selected Full Text" as part of the name. Setting one of these databases to Subscribed in the Client Center could cause incorrect results to appear in the Summon and 360 Link. For example, Factiva (Selected Full Text) contains journals that have gaps in coverage for unspecified dates. Since Summon and 360 Link can not determine which specific articles are missing from Factiva (Selected Full Text), users may encounter links to articles that cannot be found in the Factiva database. These broken links create a frustrating user experience.

    How?

    For databases that contain the words Selected Full Text , consider unchecking the Display in Summon and 360 Link checkboxes or finding an alternate database to reflect these holdings. You may still be interested in allowing these resources to be discovered via the 360 Core E-Journal Portal. For a list of "Selected Full Text" databases, see 360 KB: Databases with Selected (Incomplete) Full Textfor more information.


    Add open-access resources to your holdings.

    Priority: Optional

    Services Affected: 360 Core, 360 Link, 360 MARC Updates, Summon

    Why?

    Open-access resources and institutional repositories are available through 360 KB and the Summon Index and may be valuable in expanding your collection.

    How?

    See the list of Databases of Free E-journals and E-books. A resource available in Summon is indicated by a "Yes" in the "Summon Indexed" column.

    Additional Information:

    360 Core: Adding Databases in the Client Center


    Create Library Specific Holdings databases for non-electronic titles only.

    Priority: Optional

    Services Affected: 360 Core, 360 Link, Summon

    Why?

    Use Library-specific holdings (LSH) primarily to make your non-electronic content discoverable via your 360 and Summon services. These databases, which are created and maintained by your library, are beneficial as long as you understand their limitations. For details, please see Summon and 360 Link: Issues with Library-Specific Holdings.

    How?

    Consider using LSH only for non-electronic resources (print, microfilm, etc.). It is best to track electronic resources using existing databases in the Client Center whenever possible. If you are not able to find an appropriate electronic title or database, please contact us.

    Additional Information: