- What benefits does WorldCat Local deliver to libraries and their users?
- A single interface that seamlessly integrates with your current infrastructure.
- Reduced need for users to consult multiple services and/or interfaces to find and get needed resources.
- Search results that emphasize your collection and those of your group while still providing access to the entire universe of WorldCat libraries.
- Simplified access to your electronic content and circulation services such as full text, purchased and locally indexed databases, and placing of holds and resource sharing requests.
- Global sharing of library-related social networking contributions in addition to global access to library collections and services.
- Your library's resources delivered at the point of need: Your search box can be placed on any Web page and in Web-enabled workspaces such as e-learning courses.
- Social networking tools such as list sharing, reviews and personal profiles that meet users' Web-influenced expectations.
- Simple, hosted implementation with local installation of hardware or software and full OCLC® support.
- Greater visibility in your community and beyond: Web users reach you from Google, Yahoo! Search and other partner Web sites by way of WorldCat.org.
- Can we configure the WorldCat Local interface to display only some of the available interface languages?
No. All languages available within the WorldCat.org interface are displayed in WorldCat Local implementations.
- Can we add our WorldCat Local search box to our e-learning tools such as Blackboard?
Yes. Library staff may place their WorldCat Local search box on any Web site or in any Web-enabled environment where they want it to be accessible to library users. OCLC provides the HTML code associated with the box, and staff may add it to environments that accommodate such enhancements.
- How long will it take to implement WorldCat Local for my library?
Most libraries will complete activation of their WorldCat Local site within approximately three to six months after placing an order. During this timeframe, OCLC establishes interoperability, determines the library’s preferred workflows and performs a batchload or reclamation if necessary.
- What configuration options are available to a library in WorldCat Local?
Configuration options include the following:
- Unique URL as a subdomain of WorldCat.org.
- Branded interface with logo and color options for backgrounds and links.
- Branded version of the WorldCat search box for use on your Web site.
- Definition of institution and group to determine the priority position in search results.
- Interoperability with a library’s local systems in areas such as display of item availability, circulation and resource sharing.
- Definition of the workflow for institution requests, group requests and requests made to other WorldCat libraries.
- How does WorldCat Local differ from OCLC’s Group Catalog service? Why would my library want to purchase WorldCat Local if we already have a group catalog through OCLC?
WorldCat Local delivers a locally configured view of your library’s and/or group’s collections through the WorldCat.org environment. This functionality goes beyond what is available in group catalogs today and what will be available in group catalogs as they transition to the WorldCat.org interface.
Below are many of the key characteristics of group catalogs on FirstSearch, WorldCat group catalogs and WorldCat Local.
Group Catalogs on FirstSearch:
- FirstSearch-based databases that contain holdings of a specific library group
- Visible to users of group participants with optional "guest view" for many catalogs
- "Scoped views" of content help users search subsets of the larger group’s holdings
- Group branding on interface
- Functionality mirrors FirstSearch service
- Authorization required for access
WorldCat Group Catalogs:
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WorldCat.org platform (starting 2008)
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Current group catalogs will migrate to WorldCat.org platform; all new group catalogs will be built on WorldCat.org
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Group holdings elevated in relevancy ranking
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Faceted browse available for sub-groups (formerly scopes in FirstSearch)
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Group level branding
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Can create custom Web links out to group specified sites
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Ability to put search box on any chosen site for access via a number of avenues (replaces need for guest vie
WorldCat Local:
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Local holdings elevated in relevancy ranking
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Option for consortium holdings to be elevated in search results
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Local branding
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Custom Web links to locally specified sites
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Interoperability with local ILS for item availability and placing of holds
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Interoperability with local OpenURL resolver for delivery of online materials.
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Interoperability with resource sharing system(s) for placing of interlibrary loan requests
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Opportunity to integrate local collections in search results
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Ability to place search box on any Web site for access via multiple avenues
- Are there any plans to add more detailed categories to the lists in WorldCat.org?
WorldCat users name their own lists as they add them to WorldCat.org, so we expect that the topics represented in lists will expand as more lists are created.
- Will WorldCat Local ever include a tag cloud?
- Is OCLC contemplating the possibility of doing away with local catalogs altogether?
OCLC is currently working to enhance the user experience for finding and getting materials from libraries. To this end, WorldCat Local works with existing systems in use at libraries while also taking advantage of the wealth of information about library collections and services that exists within WorldCat and its associated services. At this time, WorldCat Local and local library systems are complementary parts of a total discovery-to-delivery solution.
- Given the anticipated demand for libraries to implement WorldCat Local, what plans does OCLC have to manage response time as usage increases?
OCLC continuously plans for capacity needs of all services including WorldCat Local. System performance is monitored to insure that response time meets quality standards that have been set for this service.
- Will WorldCat Local users in the future have the ability to add content to the system (i.e., books and other materials not already in the system, as well as tags, subjects, etc.)?
OCLC plans to add additional ways for users to contribute content to WorldCat.org that will also display in WorldCat Local. In the future, users will be able to tag bibliographic records, reviews and lists. The service will aggregate tags into clouds based on users and bibliographic records.
- Do you have plans to provide a search interface that "learns" what users are searching for by evaluating their behaviors?
The service currently provides many opportunities for users to refine their searches manually, including an advanced search, use of facets, sorting and a Did you mean? feature. These types of feature will be enhanced over time, based on usability testing and user feedback. Interface enhancements based on learned user experiences are under consideration, and may be added in the future.
- How does the WorldCat local environment rank for ADA and Section 508 compliance?
WorldCat Local is compliant with Section 508.
- How are statistics gathered? What kinds of reports does OCLC provide and what types of reports can library staff create from usage data?
OCLC will provide WorldCat Local subscribers with access to a hosted tracking/metrics tool to view all Web usage statistics for their WorldCat Local instance. This consists of dozens of reports, most of which are customizable to fit an institution’s needs. The reports include (but are not limited to) search counts, search terms, delivery option clicks, and page views for every local page.
- Does OCLC work with WorldCat Local libraries to survey library users about their satisfaction with WorldCat Local?
WorldCat Local libraries may choose to add a custom Web link to direct users to a survey. OCLC has made changes to the service in response to feedback from users, and will continue to monitor user feedback to inform future modifications and enhancements.
- In a consortium in which only a few libraries utilize WorldCat Local but share bibliographic records, how would this work so that the results are correct?
WorldCat Local uses the WorldCat database for discovery. As long as your holdings are set and up to date in WorldCat and the OCLC number is indexed in your local catalog, users will find your library’s resources. When each library is identified in the local catalog as holding the item, then sharing of bibliographic records is not an issue.
- Is there a trial period available?
No. Trials are not available due to the amount of configuration required for each WorldCat Local site.
- What kind of continued support do you give if a library migrates from one automation system to another?
Since WorldCat Local is tightly integrated with a library’s local automation system, libraries are required to give OCLC 90 days notice prior to migrating to a new system. OCLC will then work with library staff to transition their use of WorldCat Local to their new service. In the case that a library adopts a new local system for which WorldCat Local has not been configured, OCLC will make reasonable efforts to develop interoperability with the system.
- What does WorldCat Local offer to a consortium that has no union catalog other than an OCLC borrowing group?
WorldCat Local can be configured to surface holdings of a group of librarieseven those that do not share a union catalogin search results. The libraries would determine how to best link users to their resource sharing options.
- Is it possible to run WorldCat Local in a shared library system if only one institution wants to participate?
Yes. The implementation at the University of Washington is an example of this. The University of Washington purchased and implemented WorldCat Local with the display of resources from libraries in their consortium as the second tier in their search results displays.
- How would our library make interface changes or suggestions?
OCLC reviews feedback from users, as well as input from library staff as it plans enhancements to the service.
- Is there a wiki link or wiki-type interface?
There are currently several places within the site where users can contribute content, such as reviews, lists and profiles. While these options are generally more structured formats than wikis, OCLC will explore greater use of wiki-type interfaces as it further develops social functionality in the service.
- Does WorldCat Local use protocols such as NCIP or Z39.50?
WorldCat Local supports the NCIP and Z39.50 communication protocols. Note that these protocols must also be supported by the purchasing library's ILS or its intraconsortial borrowing system.
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