The chart below provides a basic comparison of three major public views into WorldCat: WorldCat on the FirstSearch reference service, WorldCat.org and WorldCat Local. (Note that WorldCat.org and WorldCat Local share the same core interface.)
| Feature |
WorldCat on FirstSearch |
WorldCat.org |
WorldCat Local |
| Requirements* |
Purchase and implementation of the FirstSearch reference service; subscription to the WorldCat database on FirstSearch. (All first-time subscriptions must be at the unlimited level.) |
Contribution of holdings to WorldCat; purchase and implementation of the FirstSearch reference service; subscription to the WorldCat database on FirstSearch. |
Contribution of holdings to WorldCat; purchase and implementation of WorldCat Local; subscription to WorldCat on FirstSearch. |
| User base |
Users who are onsite or remotely authenticated through your library's Web site or other electronic access. |
All Web users. |
Searching available to all Web users; authenticated users can access specific delivery options (ILL request, full-text articles online, etc.). |
| Record display |
Displays data from most MARC record fields (including audience, genre, notes, etc.). |
Brief citation display includes title, author, publisher, place/date of publication, language, format, ISBN/ISSN, subjects, audience.
Additional information in full record display: series title, editions, physical description, notes, summary/abstract, reviews.
Cover art displays for many items. |
| Which libraries' holdings are displayed |
All WorldCat holdings are available, with options for regional or state displays. |
Holdings of all WorldCat libraries that meet participation requirements for WorldCat.org inclusion (see "Requirements," above) are displayed. Users from recognized IP addresses will see all library holdings available in WorldCat. |
Holdings of purchasing library or group display first in results, followed by an optional display of a related group and then holdings of all WorldCat libraries eligible for display on WorldCat.org. |
| Search options |
More than 50 searchable keyword or phrase indexes. |
Keyword searching through the single search box. Advanced search includes title, author, subject, standard number (ISSN, ISBN, OCLC) and limits by language, format, publication date, audience and content type. |
| Cross-database searching |
Simultaneous searching of WorldCat and up to 2 additional databases. |
Searches retrieve records from WorldCat plus article-level records from GPO Monthly Catalog, ArticleFirst, Medline, ERIC and British Library Inside Serials. OCLC has also announced plans to index article-level records from MLA and H. W. Wilson databases in WorldCat. |
| Order of search results |
By number of library holdings; may be adjusted to relevance, date, accession number. |
By relevance, based on OCLC algorithm. |
| Limit search results |
Yes, by library/group holdings, language, format, audience, genre, year, etc. |
Yes. Keyword search results allow refinement via "faceted browse" (author, subject, format, languages, year). "Lilbraries" tab includes option to display only libraries that own a specific edition. |
| Sort search results |
Yes, by format. |
Yes. Sort by relevance, author, title, date. |
| E-mail search results |
Yes. |
No. Bookmarks for records and lists can be shared. |
| Create lists |
No. |
Yes. |
| "More Like This" functionality |
Yes, using Related Subjects or Related Authors buttons, customizable "More like this" feature or subject heading links at item record level. |
Yes. Subject headings and authors can be searched from records or facets. |
| Access options |
FirstSearch service interface via manual logon, scripted access or IP address; Z39.50 compliant. |
Search directly on WorldCat.org or via modular, freely distributed WorldCat search box. Users can also follow links to an item record or keyword search results from elsewhere on the Web; these links can be created by users or dynamically generated on other Web sites using a simple URL syntax.
Some users reach WorldCat.org from links in partner search engines or bookseller Web sites.
Access via Google gadget and Facebook application. |
Search directly through a locally branded WorldCat Local search box; library staff vcan also place the search box on any Web site popular with users.
Users can also follow links to an item record or keyword search results from elsewhere on the Web; these links can be created by users or dynamically generated on other Web sites using a simple URL syntax.
Some users reach WorldCat.org from links in partner search engines or bookseller Web sites.
Access via Google gadget and branded Facebook application. |
| Library branding |
Librarians may brand interface with a library logo. |
No library-specific branding. |
User interface can be customized with library logo, name and colors. Library-specific language can be placed in search box. |
| Customization options |
Many interface and functionality customization options are available to libraries. |
Libraries can control links to their Web sites, catalogs, virtual reference services and Open URL servers via their free institutional profile in the WorldCat Registry. |
OCLC works with library staff to configure access to library catalogs, OpenURL resolvers and delivery options, along with links to services such as virtual reference. |
| User account privileges |
Users with an account can maintain user interface preferences; save searches and marked records; contribute reviews to item records. |
Users with an account can contribute reviews and ratings to item records; build and share lists of WorldCat-cataloged items; maintain a personal profile; and use various WorldCat Affiliate components such as modular search box. |
| OpenURL linking |
Yes. |
| Access to virtual reference services |
Yes; Custom link option. |
Yes. |
Yes. OCLC configures access to library's existing service. |
| Access to resource sharing and other fulfillment options |
Yes. |
Yes. Links to resource sharing options and OpenURL resolvers can be entered in the WorldCat Registry for display in WorldCat.org. |
Yes. OCLC configures access to library's existing delivery options. |
Access to booksellers
in item record |
Yes. |
| Citation formatting |
Yes; available for 49 databases. |
Yes, for individual items and multiple items on user-created lists. |
| Export to bibliographic formatting software |
Yes. |
| Update frequency |
Daily. |
| Pricing* |
Subscription and per-search. All new subscriptions to WorldCat on FirstSearch are at the unlimited level. |
Visibility of holdings on WorldCat.org is an added benefit of maintaining a subscription to the WorldCat database on FirstSearch. |
One-time implementation fee and an annual subscription, based on the size of a library's user population. |
* North America only. Participation requirements and pricing may vary in other regions.
Librarians' Toolbox:
