FAQ
DOCLINE -- SERHOLD to OCLC Batch Update Deletes

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Question: How are deletes handled with SERHOLD to OCLC Batch Update?

Answer:

• For the first extract of data for a library, NLM provides OCLC with all holdings that the library currently reports. NLM does not provide any delete records to OCLC the first time data is sent to OCLC for a library.
  
• For subsequent extractions of holdings data for each library, NLM provides OCLC with holdings that have been updated in, added to, or deleted from DOCLINE Serial Holdings. NLM calculates whether this is a first or later extraction of data by looking at the batch update authorization date (e.g., the date that the batch update authorization field was LAST updated) and comparing it to the date that the data was last sent to OCLC. If the batch update authorization date is later than the last time NLM provided data to OCLC, NLM will send all of the holdings for that library to OCLC. If the batch update authorization date is earlier than the last time NLM provided data to OCLC, NLM will send updates, additions, and deletions that have a added/modified or deleted datestamp after the last time NLM extracted data and provided it to OCLC.
  
• If your library has not been deleting holdings from OCLC and you would like a listing of all records that have been deleted from DOCLINE Serial Holdings since June 2000, please contact your Regional DOCLINE Coordinator who will work with NLM to provide you with that information. NOTE: It is quite possible that there were multiple records in DOCLINE Serial Holdings for the same title or that a holdings record was deleted and then later added back to DOCLINE. Therefore, it is important to compare the list of deletes to the current holdings in DOCLINE Serial Holdings and only make the appropriate deletions from OCLC.
  
• Regional DOCLINE Coordinators will provide assistance with questions on this topic.
  
• A listing of Regional DOCLINE Coordinators is located at the bottom of the SERHOLD Fact Sheet (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/serhold.html).

Related Questions:

What is SERHOLD to OCLC Batch Update?

DOCLINE Serial Holdings questions

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http://www.nlm.nih.gov/services/doc_batch_update.html

Last reviewed: 20 November 2009
Last updated: 17 September 2008
First published: 16 June 2003
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