Find a copy

In the list of search results, relevant items that your library owns are listed first. Actual item availability is listed in the item details. The item’s availability status will be listed, along with other information such as location and due date.

IP address recognition

WorldCat.org employs a technology called "IP recognition." For your convenience, the site tries to determine your location based on the unique Internet Protocol address assigned to the network connection or Internet Service Provider you are using. It then automatically assigns a location or presents a list of possible locations based on that address, and sets your level of access to databases and records.

If you are using your normal Internet connection from a remote location, such as logging on while on vacation, it is possible that the options generated by IP recognition will not reflect your current location. If you manually change your location, that will write a cookie to your machine which will override WorldCat.org’s automatically assigned location.

Find a copy in the library

This section allows you to view libraries that own the item. Depending on your library's subscription, individual library holdings usually appear first, followed by any group holdings and then libraries worldwide.

Get it in the library

If an item is currently available, you may place an item on hold (Place Hold) or request an item (Request Item) through your institution, depending on how the library has chosen to set this up.

If your library has chosen to display local serial, article and e-serial information, a link to check current status information will appear next to the library's name. Click this link to get real-time availability information about the item. For an example, see the image below:

An example of online links as described on this page.

To borrow or obtain an item from the library:

Step	Action	Result
1	Click the Request Item or Place Hold button. Note: You may be prompted for an ID and password, and/or be asked to pay a fee.	The library’s catalog will respond with a Hold Verification or Request page.
2	Enter your information.
3	Click Submit.	A confirmation window appears.
4	Close the confirmation window.

Get it from this library group

You can also check availability at libraries within the library's group.

Step	Action	Result
1	Click the plus sign next to the group list.	The list expands to show all libraries in the group that own the item.
2	Click check availability for this item next to a library's name.	Availability information is displayed for that institution.
3	Click Request Item, if that option is available.	Either the group's catalog page or an authentication page will display, where you will be asked to provide a username and/or password to request the item.

Find it in libraries globally

Under Worldwide libraries, you may enter a location in the box provided to narrow your results by your location. Each library listing includes the library's name, and an indication of which formats of the item it owns, plus a Library info link to the library's profile page. The profile page includes information about the library, such as location and contact information, links to the library’s website, catalog and virtual reference. You may also find a link to Apply for a library card.

Click Search at this library (if available) to go directly to that library's holdings.

Some listings may display a link to the library's online Ask a librarian service. Select a library name link to visit that library's online catalog for more information about the item, or add the library to your favorites by clicking the Add to favorites link.

Requesting an Item through Interlibrary Loan (if available)

Listings of all libraries in your area may not be listed. Your local library may not be a WorldCat member library, or may not own the particular item. Your library may, however, participate in a resource sharing program. This permits the item to be borrowed from another library.

If the item is not available at your library, a button allowing interlibrary loan may appear. Click the button to go to your library’s interlibrary loan request page, where you will be asked to provide a username and/or password to request the item.

For an example of an interlibrary loan button, see the image below:

An example of an interlibrary loan button, as described on this page.

Requesting an Article/Journal/Magazine

Click on a result after a search. Online links to electronic items may be available. In addition, a button may display linking you to your library’s online journal service. If full-text is available, direct links to the article are provided. Your library may have a number of article databases available for your use. Consult your library website or librarian for more information.

For an example of an electronic resources button, see the image below:

An example of an electronic resources button, as described on this page.

Note: There are multiple ways to access electronic resources. Options and button names may vary. Citations for articles are included from any article databases for which your library has a subscription. Links may be provided to articles available in full-text or print from your library. You may be asked to provide a username and/or password to access the item.

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