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WorldCat Local : Overview

Overview

A simplified user experience

WorldCat Local simplifies the discovery-and-delivery experience by letting your library users find what they want, when and where they want it. No more looking for different kinds of library resources using different interfaces, or even thinking about your services as separate systems. The WorldCat Local search box seamlessly connects them to everything in your collection, including physical and electronic books and journals; digital media; open-access article full text; special collections; digital objects; and more.

And because WorldCat Local integrates with your live circulation data, users know immediately whether an item is available. Your users are presented the best available "get it" options within the item record, and shelf location, call number and status are displayed for all physical copies across branches and/or consortial partners. One click lets an authorized user view an electronic copy or place a hold or resource-sharing request.

A personalized discovery experience

WorldCat Local offers the same feature set as WorldCat.org, such as a single search box, relevancy ranking of search results, results sets that bring multiple versions of a work together under one record, faceted browse capability, citation formating options, cover art, reviews, ratings and lists, and additional evaluative content. Each custom installation of WorldCat Local, however, goes much further toward personalizing the search experience for the users of a particular library and/or group.

Life at the top of the list

WorldCat Local provides your users with a customized search at multiple levels—local, group and global—all at the same time. It’s a transparent way for information seekers to find what they’re looking for through your library even if the materials aren’t locally available.

Local search

Whenever your users search WorldCat Local, results from your library are elevated in the search results to the top of the list. This helps users easily find your library’s materials that you’ve identified and purchased as part of your collection management strategy.

Group search

When WorldCat Local is set up to work with a group or consortium catalog, library ownership information for group members is displayed in search results following those for your library.

Global search

Search results will be displayed for WorldCat libraries throughout your state, across the country and around the world in order of proximity after all local and group results have displayed.

Interoperability

WorldCat Local interoperates with locally maintained services such as circulation, resource sharing and resolution to full text.

WorldCat Local interfaces with your library’s circulation system to deliver location and availability information. This means your users immediately know the library department or division location and local call number, and whether the item is on the shelf. WorldCat Local is also configured to present the resource sharing options that are appropriate for your library’s users.

WorldCat Local works with your library’s OpenURL resolver to connect library users with the resources they need across the range of services each library provides.

OCLC will work closely with your library staff during implementation of the service to integrate access to your library’s resources and services through a branded WorldCat interface.