Overview

Overview

The WorldCat Search API will provide access to WorldCat bibliographic records and holdings using the FRBR concepts to pull together various editions of the same work. The API provides access to the WorldCat databases from clients that can send RESTful URI queries with either the OpenSearch or SRU protocols and can accept RSS, Atom, MARC XML or Dublin Core^® responses.

The API enables participants to deliver WorldCat access to users without requiring them to leave a library’s Web site. As a result, it should increase the number of links to library catalogs.

The WorldCat API provides access to WorldCat bibliographic records and holdings organized to group similar editions of the same item together.  The holdings information provided includes links directly to the cataloging libraries’ OPACs.

Search with OpenSearch or SRU and get RSS, Atom, MARC XML or Dublin Core responses.

• Find books, video, music and more in the WorldCat database
• Send searches in OpenSearch or SRU CQL syntax
• Get OpenSearch responses in RSS or Atom format
• Get SRU responses are available in MARC XML or Dublin Core
• Get MARC XML content for a single OCLC record
• Get geographically-sorted Library Holdings information (institution name, location, and an OPAC link) in requests for single records
• Limit results to items held by a single library or group of libraries.

Teaming with developers

Members of the OCLC Developer Network have worked with OCLC on the development of this API. The Network will continue to advise OCLC on the development of additional Web services in the future. In addition, OCLC anticipates that the use of the API will result in development of new WorldCat-related applications by developers within the OCLC membership.

Available to qualifying institutions

The WorldCat API is available to all OCLC member libraries that contribute to WorldCat* and are visible on WorldCat.org (by having a subscription to WorldCat on FirstSearch or other type of WorldCat.org agreement). 

Use of this service requires that the Terms & Conditions are accepted including:

• Access is available only to employees of qualifying Institution using the service solely for that Institution's needs.
• Bibliographic records and holdings information are to be used only for discovery purposes.
• Discovery cannot be used as part of the cataloging process.
• The WorldCat API cannot be used to enhance commercial services, including but not limited to fee based services or services that get ad revenue.
• Agree to include link to WorldCat.org from a clickable “ With WorldCat” icon on the website where WorldCat API is used.  (Icons are available at the WorldCat Affiliate site.)

  

• The appropriate level of service requirements will be maintained by the qualifying institution.  (Full information found on the OCLC Developer Network site)

• WorldCat Search API
• At a glance
• Overview
• Ordering
• Support, training and documentation
• Application gallery