The chart below provides a basic comparison of four major public views into WorldCat: WorldCat on the FirstSearch reference service, WorldCat.org search, WorldCat.org via partner sites (such as Google) and WorldCat Local. (Note that WorldCat.org and WorldCat Local share the same core interface.)
| Feature |
WorldCat on FirstSearch |
WorldCat.org via partner sites (formerly "Open WorldCat") |
WorldCat.org direct search |
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.) A library's holding of any WorldCat-cataloged item is not displayed to library users unless the institution has contributed its 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; contribution of holdings to WorldCat |
| 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 (title, author, place/date of publication, language, format, ISBN/ISSN, subjects) |
| 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 exposure (see "Requirements," above) are displayed |
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 |
No direct searching; users link from search results on partner sites to item records on WorldCat.org |
Keyword searching through the single search box. Advanced search includes title, author, subject, standard number (ISSN, ISBN, OCLC) and limits by language, format and publication date |
| Cross-database searching |
Simultaneous searching of WorldCat and up to 2 additional databases |
Access only through links from partner sites |
Searches retrieve matching records from WorldCat, GPO Monthly Catalog, ArticleFirst, Medline and ERIC |
| 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); holding-libraries results at item record level allow narrowing by format and limiting to single edition represented by record |
| Sort search results |
Yes, by format |
Yes. Sort by relevance, author, title, date |
| E-mail search results |
Yes |
No |
| 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, using subject heading links at item record level |
| Access options |
FirstSearch service interface via manual logon, scripted access or IP address; Z39.50 compliant |
Web users reach WorldCat.org item records directly via search results on partner sites |
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 |
Search directly through a locally branded WorldCat Local search box; box can be placed by library staff on any appropriate Web page |
| 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
| OCLC configures 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 and notes to item records; and use various WorldCat Affiliate components such as modular search box |
Users with an account can contribute reviews and notes 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 |
Yes (includes COinS) |
Yes |
| Access to virtual reference services |
Yes; Custom link option |
Yes; QuestionPoint links are automatically enabled. Librarians may enable links to other services |
Yes. OCLC configures access to library's existing service |
| Access to resource sharing and other fulfillment options |
Yes |
Only to authenticated users, via "Services from [Library]" zone in item record display |
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 |
Varies by partner Web site |
Daily |
| Pricing* |
Subscription and per-search. All new subscriptions to WorldCat in FirstSearch are at the unlimited level |
No separate charge for participation. Exposure 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.
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