OASIS Interactive Loader Instructions

The OASIS Interactive Loader (the "iLoader") is a web-based interface that allows authorized staff to download, upload, and preview one finding aid at a time. The Interactive Loader processes finding aids in real time -- the results are available immediately.

If you need to upload multiple finding aids in a single batch, or if your finding aid file is more than 1 MB in size, use the OASIS batch loader instead.

Note about using the iLoader: Note that authorized users can download and upload ANY finding aid from ANY repository. Liaisons should limit their uses of the Interactive Loader to finding aids from the repository or repositories that they represent.

Connect to the Interactive Loader
Upload/Preview a Finding Aid
Download a Finding Aid

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Connect to the Interactive Loader

To connect to the Interactive Loader, point a browser to one of these URLs:

Production iLoader:
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL:oasis-admin

Test iLoader:
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL:oasis-admin-qa

Access requires an authorized Harvard ID and PIN. A repository's OASIS liaison is automatically authorized to use the Interactive Loader. To authorize another user, the liaison should submit a User Registration request.

Upload/Preview a Finding Aid

Before you upload a finding aid, be sure that:

• The finding aid has been validated against the Harvard EAD schema or DTD. (Usually true if your editing software is configured to use the Harvard EAD schema/dtd.)
• The finding aid file name is in lower case, using the standard name format: xxxnnnnn.xml ( where xxxnnnnn is the EADID code for the finding aid; xxx=your repository's code and nnnnn=the sequential number assigned to the finding aid).
• The finding aid has been stripped of any DOCTYPE declaration that does not directly reference the Harvard EAD schema or DTD on the web. To be safe, remove any DOCTYPE declaration (the loader does not need this to process the file).

Here is the upload procedure:

1. Connect to the test or production Interactive Loader.
2. In the Upload section, click Browse to locate and select the finding aid on your file system.
3. Click Preview to view the finding aid in the OASIS catalog's 3-pane layout. Check the finding aid's layout and navigation to verify all is working as expected. Click Cancel Upload in the top pane if you see a problem.
   
   Note: in preview mode, redacted portions of a finding aid *will* display. To view the redacted finding aid, retrieve the finding aid in OASIS after upload is complete.
4. To upload, click the Upload Finding Aid to OASIS button in top pane.
   
   The message Finding Aid Successfully Loaded indicates the upload was completed.
5. Copy the URN that displays and use it in the HOLLIS record or anywhere else a link to the finding aid is needed.
   
   Note: a URN created today will work in a browser tomorrow.
6. After a successful upload, the loader main window redisplays. You can upload another finding aid or close the window.

Note about availability in OASIS: When uploaded via the Interactive Loader, a finding aid can be searched in the OASIS system (or OASIS test system) immediately. The uploaded finding aid will be added to the Browse list the next day.

Note about error checking: The Interactive Loader performs full validation of a finding aid at the point of final upload, although some display-related errors may be detected earlier during preview. When an error is detected, a message displays within the Interactive Loader interface. Errors found during validation must be corrected before a finding aid can be uploaded.

Download a Finding Aid

Note that downloaded finding aids may contain special attributes on some tags (e.g., <ead> fileSize) that are added by OASIS to facilitate processing. You can ignore these attributes. If one of these attributes is accidentally deleted during editing, the OASIS loader will recalculate the value on upload.

To download an OASIS finding aid:

1. Connect to the test or production Interactive Loader.
2. In the Download section, enter the EADID or title proper and click Search.
3. The EADID and title of the finding aid will display. Click Download to retrieve the finding aid.
4. You will be prompted to open or save the finding aid on your local system. Note that the file name will be nnnxxxxx.xml (nnnxxxxx being the EADID of the finding aid).