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User account and profile











What can I do with a WorldCat account?

Signing up for a WorldCat account is fast and easy, and requires only an e-mail address. On top of the ability to search many libraries at once, a WorldCat account lets you:

  • Create a public profile that lets other WorldCat users know something about you and your interests
  • Build and maintain public or private lists of books, videos and many other kinds of items owned by libraries
  • Add information to WorldCat records, such as factual notes, tables of contents, and ratings and reviews

More site features accessible via your WorldCat account are coming soon.

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What's the difference between a WorldCat account and my library membership?

Your WorldCat account lets you to do certain things on the WorldCat Web site (WorldCat.org): You can create your own library-focused identity and begin to add and organize information. Create a public profile, build and manage lists of materials at your library (and many others), and contribute reviews and factual information to WorldCat records.

Your library membership—the account associated with your library card—is what allows you to perform activities at your library's Web site, such as reserving a book, joining a waiting list, searching databases or pulling up the electronic full text of a magazine article.

WorldCat.org search results and detailed records often link into these online services at your local library. But only your library membership will give you full access to them. If you do not have a membership with your local library, aren't sure whether you have already created an account on the library's Web site, or have forgotten the user name or password associated with your account, visit the account maintenance area on the library's Web site to see what options are available to you.

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How do I create a WorldCat account?

On any WorldCat page, click the Create a free account link on the right-hand side of the WorldCat menu bar at the top of the page. The Create an Account page will be displayed. Provide a unique user name, a password and your e-mail address. Then click the I Agree button to indicate your consent to the WorldCat Terms and Conditions. A "Thank you for registering" message will confirm the creation of your account.

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How do I sign into WorldCat?

Once you've established a WorldCat account, you can sign in from any WorldCat page. Click the Sign In link on the right-hand side of the WorldCat menu bar at the top of the page. Under "Existing Account," enter your user name and password, then click the Continue button.

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How do I create a WorldCat profile?

  1. If you are not signed in, do so by clicking the the Sign In link on the right-hand side of the WorldCat menu bar at the top of any WorldCat page.
  2. On the menu bar, click the "My WorldCat" menu and select Edit My Profile.
  3. Fill out your profile. You can provide as much or as little information as you wish. You can optionally upload a picture that will serve as your user avatar. (Please upload only those images you have the right to distribute and that are in line with WorldCat's Terms and Conditions.)
  4. Click the Save Profile button at the bottom of the page. A message will indicate you have successfully modified your profile.
  5. Check that the privacy setting for your profile is what you want it to be. On the menu bar, click the "My WorldCat" menu and select "Privacy Settings." Adjust the setting, if necessary, and click the Save Changes button.
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Do I have to provide all of the profile information requested?

No. If you do not feel comfortable entering certain types of information or uploading a picture, you may leave those fields blank. You can enter as much or as little information as you want.

Remember that you can make your profile private—not searchable or viewable by anyone—at any time.

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How do I edit my profile?

  1. If you are not signed in, do so by clicking the the Sign In link on the right-hand side of the WorldCat menu bar, at the top of any WorldCat page.
  2. On the menu bar, click the "My WorldCat" menu and select Edit My Profile.
  3. Change your profile information as desired.
  4. Click the "Save Profile" button at the bottom of the page. A message will indicate you have successfully modified your profile.
  5. Check that the privacy setting for your profile is what you want it to be. On the menu bar, click the "My WorldCat" menu and select "Privacy Settings." Adjust your settings, if necessary, and click the Save Changes button.
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How do I change my profile's privacy setting?

  1. If you are not signed in, do so by clicking the the Sign In link on the right-hand side of the WorldCat menu bar, at the top of any WorldCat page.
  2. On the menu bar, click the "My WorldCat" menu and select Privacy Settings.
  3. Choose whether your e-mail address should be private ("Viewable Only by Me") or public ("Viewable by Anyone").
  4. If you want your entire profile to be private, check the box next to "Yes, hide my profile."
  5. Click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page.
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Can I hide just my e-mail address in my profile?

Yes, you can hide your e-mail address while the rest of your profile remains public. (Note that your e-mail address was hidden by default when you created your WorldCat account.) Do the following:

  1. If you are not signed in, do so by clicking the the Sign In link on the right-hand side of the WorldCat menu bar, at the top of any WorldCat page.
  2. On the menu bar, click the "My WorldCat" menu and select Privacy Settings.
  3. Choose "Viewable Only by Me (Private)" as your privacy setting for your e-mail address.
  4. Click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page.
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Can I hide my entire profile?

Yes. This means other WorldCat users cannot search for or view your profile. Do the following:

  1. If you are not signed in, do so by clicking the the Sign In link on the right-hand side of the WorldCat menu bar, at the top of any WorldCat page.
  2. On the menu bar, click the "My WorldCat" menu and select Privacy Settings.
  3. Leave your e-mail address privacy setting on the default, "Viewable Only by Me (private)."
  4. Check the box next to "Yes, hide my profile."
  5. Click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page.
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How do I change my WorldCat password?

  1. If you are not signed in, do so by clicking the the Sign In link on the right-hand side of the WorldCat menu bar, at the top of any WorldCat page.
  2. On the menu bar, click the "My WorldCat" menu and select Change Password.
  3. Enter your current password, and then your new password. Be sure to retype the new password to confirm.
  4. Click the Change Password button at the bottom of the page.
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Can I change my WorldCat user name?

Once you have established your account, your user name cannot be changed. If you want another user name, you can create another WorldCat account. Note that you'll need to use a different e-mail address to establish the new account.

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