Global library cooperative Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (OCLC), US, has announced the release of Web Harvester, a new product that allows libraries to capture and add web content to their digital collections managed by OCLC's CONTENTdm Digital Collection Management Software. OCLC's Web Harvester addresses the need to store and provide access to otherwise highly transient information resources that solely exist on websites.
Web Harvester evolved from collaboration with several state libraries, state archives and universities over a period of seven years. Participants emphasised the increasing importance of collecting and managing web-based content as information resources move online yet remain within libraries' and archives' collection scopes. The Web Harvester is integrated into library workflows, allowing library staff to capture content as part of the cataloging process. The captured content is then sent to the organisation's digital collections where it can be managed with other CONTENTdm digital content.
The Web Harvester can be accessed via the Connexion client, OCLC's powerful cataloging service, and captures content ranging from single, web-based documents to entire websites. For additional security, master files of the captured content also can be ingested to the OCLC Digital Archive, the service for long-term storage of originals and master files from libraries' digital collections.
The Web Harvester is an optional product for current Hosting users of CONTENTdm to expand their ability to collect, manage and provide access to digital content.
