What is WorldCat?

WorldCat describes the products and services built upon the OCLC WorldCat bibliographic database and its networked environment.  OCLC cataloging, resource sharing, local holdings maintenance, and FirstSearch services all provide services based on the WorldCat bibliographic database. Additional WorldCat-based services include WorldCat Collection Analysis, WorldCat Cataloging Partners, WorldCat Selection, WorldCat Local, and WorldCat Registry.

OCLC describes WorldCat as:

"In an expanding universe of information alternatives, why stand alone? WorldCat is a global network of library content and services that uses the Web to let your institution be more connected, more open and more productive."

WorldCat on the Web (worldcat.org)

OCLC has moved WorldCat forward into a web-based environment and now offers the entire OCLC WorldCat bibliographic database on the open web for anyone to use. There is an easy-to-use web-based interface, "google-like" searching, FRBR-like display, and a number of social networking tools. OCLC continues to bring new features, especially additional social networking tools, to WorldCat.org.

WorldCat.org is CONSTANTLY changing and being improved with new features, so check it out!

WorldCat.org is intended to bring users back to libraries:

• When the user clicks on the record for their desired item, a list of libraries holding that item appear.
• The libraries are listed in order by how close they are to the zip code that has been entered by the user or detected by the network.
• The library name can be made into a link that will take the user directly to that item in the catalog of the local library (the library has to set this up using FirstSearch administration)
• Once in the local catalog, the user can check availablily and reserve the item, if desired.

WorldCat.org uses a FRBR application to connect users to the content they want

• A page for a bibliographic record indicates the number of  other editions and displays holdings for either ANY EDITION (default) or JUST THIS EDITION. In this way the user is led to the content s/he wants, regardless of which OCLC record the library holdings are attached to. The user can limit to "just this edition" to limit the libraries displayed to those that hold the particular edition displayed.
• Users are presented with many ways to narrow their results, e.g. by author name, format, year, language, audience, etc.

WorldCat.org DOES NOT display all holdings from WorldCat

• WorldCat.org displays the names of holding libraries only for libraries that both contribute holdings to OCLC on an ongoing basis and have a subscription to the WorldCat database on FirstSearch.
• Holdings for libraries that either do not contribute ongoing holdings to the OCLC WorldCat database OR have a current subscription to WorldCat on FirstSearch DO NOT DISPLAY IN WORLDCAT.ORG

WorldCat Local

WorldCat Local takes the WorldCat.org platform to the local level. OCLC creates a branded local library catalog based on the library's WorldCat holdings (OPAC only, at this point) and the WorldCat.org platform. The site is hosted at OCLC, and there is comparatively little maintenance for the local library to do. In order to make sure OCLC holdings are up-to-date, libraries are encouraged to do a reclamation project prior to implementation.

A number of libraries are implementing this solution to present their users with an easy-to-use public catalog that can present local, consortial, and worldwide holdings to users, as well as providing social networking functions, searching that is easy for users, and a FRBR-like display to make it easier to find items by languge, format, date, etc. 

Check out some of the pilot sites:

• University of Washington (use the search box on the Library's home page)
• Melvyl - University of California
• Peninsula Library System

A number of other libraries have either ordered WorldCat Local or are in the process of doing so.

OCLC's WorldCat Local Frequently Asked Questions will answer most of your questions about WorldCat Local.