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WorldCat Resource Sharing

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WorldCat Resource Sharing at a glance

WorldCat Resource Sharing provides time-saving, efficient inter-library lending tools that simplify library workflows and connect information seekers to materials in 10,000 libraries in 40 countries.

Benefits

  • Connects users to materials in libraries around the world
  • Predictable subscription-based pricing eliminates issues related to transaction-based pricing
  • Decreases costs and saves time through integrated management of request direction and deflection, fee management, custom holdings settings and user-initiated requests
  • Increases use of your collections
  • Saves time for our staff because more than 95 percent of your ILL requests will be filled through a single service
  • Simplifies user access to electronic resources through a rich and growing knowledge base of ownership data for popular electronic content collections
  • Minimizes receipt of requests you can't fill due to filtering based on your local rules
  • Enables secure, copyright-compliant  delivery of large PDF files
  • Reduces need for training because contextual help is always a click away
  • Eliminated the need to maintain software locally – Web interface means you always have the latest version
  • Connects you to leading online document suppliers including Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (GEBAY) and The British Library
  • Meets the needs to low - or high volume interlibrary loan needs and accommodates seasonal fluctuations in activity
  • Save costs with short-term access to e-books

Features

  • An established network of thousands of libraries worldwide 
  • Offers your users multiple self-service options for online ordering
  • Custom subscription pricing
  • Web-based interface with contextual help and online tutorials
  • Integration with the OCLC FirstSearch reference service
  • Basic, advanced and expert searching
  • Unmediated user-initiated ILL
  • Interaction with the WorldCat knowledge base means fast delivery of electronic articles and e-books
  • Deflection options automatically skip lenders who cannot provide requested items, saving time and getting items to users more quickly
  • Policies Directory lets you review other OCLC libraries' lending rules and set your own
  • Fee Management simplifies billing with lending partners
  • Comprehensive usage reports provide statistics for funding justification
  • Compliance with the ISO ILL standard
  • Requires only a Web browser and Internet access
  • Short-term access to e-books

Related services

We are a worldwide library cooperative, owned, governed and sustained by members since 1967. Our public purpose is a statement of commitment to each other—that we will work together to improve access to the information held in libraries around the globe, and find ways to reduce costs for libraries through collaboration.