Content

WorldCat Local content-related FAQs

• What types of content can a library integrate into WorldCat Local?
  

  In addition to indexing the contents of a library's catalog or a group's union catalog, OCLC is working to index other library collections such as databases that a library manages outside its catalog.

  An example of this type of resource is DSpace, an opensource digital archiving system designed by MIT Libraries and Hewlett-Packard to capture, manage and share research in digital formats.

  Resources already indexed in WorldCat.org that are included by extension in WorldCat Local are:

  • Article-level records from four databases (GPO, ArticleFirst®, MEDLINE, ERIC)
  • Licensed eSerials collections (via the OCLC eSerials HoldingsTM service)
  • Locally digitized materials created with CONTENTdm that have been added to WorldCat

  "Open access" content cataloged into WorldCat by librarians at participating institutions. This includes public domain eBooks and authoritative Web sites.

• Can our library use WorldCat Local for metasearch purposes?
  
  No. WorldCat Local does not currently contain a metasearch component, but this is a planned enhancement for the service.
• Is OCLC working to add more article-level records to WorldCat?
  
  OCLC is in discussion with a number of eContent providers about providing access to their content through the WorldCat database.
• Does OCLC plan to add links to open access articles or eBooks available via project Gutenberg and Google Books to WorldCat.org and WorldCat Local?
  
  OCLC plans to add a search of open access material in late 2008 or early 2009. Google Books data will certainly be involved in part of this project. When implemented, this open access material search will surface any data that indicates an item is available openly on the Web.
• Will more European Union catalogs be added to WorldCat?
  
  OCLC continues to work with administrators of national catalogs around the world on plans for making their content available through WorldCat.
• Will WorldCat Local work with DSpace repositories?
  
  OCLC is currently defining the requirements for the ingesting, updating and display of non-MARC metadata formats such as DSpace.
• Will CONTENTdm info be pulled from CONTENTdm database or from OCLC WorldCat database?
  
  Access to CONTENTdm resources is through records that have been added to the WorldCat database. If your library has not added its CONTENTdm holdings to WorldCat, speak with your OCLC representative to learn about options for doing this.
• Will WorldCat Local integrate with Artstor to show image thumbnails like it does for CONTENTdm?
  
  WorldCat Local currently displays image thumbnails for only CONTENTdm records.
• Will this work with another ILL system other than ILLiad, such as CLIO?
  
  WorldCat Local currently interoperates with OCLC's WorldCat Resource Sharing, ILLiad and VDX services, in addition to the INN-Reach service from Innovative Interfaces.
• We import cataloging records for licensed online content into our OPAC—from sources like Early English Books Online or Alexander Street's the Gerritsen collection. Are these records available to our patrons via WC local?
  
  WorldCat Local searches records in the WorldCat database, so if you have loaded this local content into WorldCat it will be visible. You may need to confirm that this meets existing licensing agreements between your library and the provider of these records.
• What are the databases that are indexed at the article level?
  
  Article-level records have been added to WorldCat from the following sources: GPO Monthly Catalog, ArticleFirst, MEDLINE, Eric, British Library Inside Serials. OCLC continues to discuss this discovery option with a number of other content providers.
• What is the difference between WorldCat Resource Sharing and OCLC ILL?
  
  WorldCat Resource Sharing is the name of OCLC's interlibrary loan service.

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