WorldCat Collection Analysis Quick Reference
Accessing Collection Analysis
Access to the WorldCat Collection Analysis service is via the OCLC FirstSearch service.
| Action | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Display the OCLC FirstSearch logon screen at: http:\\www.firstsearch.oclc.org. |
| 2 | Enter the Authorization and Password associated with WorldCat Collection Analysis and select Start. |
| 3 | When the FirstSearch screen appears, select the Collection Analysis tab. |
Subscription Type
A library subscribes to the WorldCat Collection Analysis service as either an individual institution or as a member of a group.
Individual Institution. At logon, if the first entry under Basic Analyses shows My Library, your library has subscribed as an individual institution.
Subscription Group. If the first entry under Basic Analyses shows a group name, your library has subscribed as part of a group.
Analysis Dimensions
OCLC Conspectus
The OCLC® Conspectus is a subject hierarchy consisting of divisions, categories, and subject descriptors. The Conspectus can be used with Dewey® Decimal, Library of Congress and National Library of Medicine classifications. The three levels of the OCLC Conspectus, broadest to most specific, are:
- Division
- Category
- Subject
Publication Date
Dates are grouped into these ranges:
| Pre-1500 | 1900-1909 | 1960-1969 | 2002 | 2008 |
| 1500-1599 | 1910-1919 | 1970-1979 | 2003 | 2009 |
| 1600-1699 | 1920-1929 | 1980-1989 | 2004 | Other |
| 1700-1799 | 1930-1939 | 1990-1999 | 2005 | |
| 1800-1850 | 1940-1949 | 2000 | 2006 | |
| 1850-1899 | 1950-1959 | 2001 | 2007 |
Language
Sixty-eight languages from the MARC Code List for Languages appear as analysis results. The remaining languages are grouped under Other.
| Afrikaans | Danish | Indonesian | Norwegian | Tagalog |
| Albanian | Dutch | Irish | Ottoman Turkish | Tamil |
| Arabic | English | Italian | Panjabi | Telugu |
| Armenian | Estonian | Japanese | Persuab | Thai |
| Azerbaijani | Finnish | Kannada | Polish | Tibetan |
| Belarusian | French | Kazakh | Portuguese | Turkish |
| Bengali | Georgian | Korean | Romanian | Ukrainian |
| Bosnian | German | Kurdish | Russian | Urdu |
| Bulgarian | Greek, Modern (1453- ) | Kyrgyz | Sanskrit | Uzbek |
| Burmese | Gujarati | Latin | Serbian | Vietnamese |
| Catalan | Hebrew | Lithuanian | Slovak | Yiddish |
| Chinese | Hindi | Macedonian | Slovenian | Other |
| Croatian | Hungarian | Malay | Spanish | |
| Czech | Icelandic | Marathi | Swedish |
Format
The WorldCat Collection Analysis service uses these material types:
| Archival Materials | Continually Updated Resources, Electronic | Serial Publications, Electronic |
| Archival Materials, Electronic | Continually Updated Resources, Microform | Serial Publications, Microform |
| Archival Materials, Microform | Maps | Sound Recordings |
| Articles | Maps, Electronic | Sound Recordings, Electronic |
| Articles, Electronic | Maps, Microform | Sound Recordings, Microform |
| Articles, Microform | Musical Scores | Texts, Electronic |
| Books | Musical Scores, Electronic | Visual Materials |
| Books, Microform | Musical Scores, Microform | Visual Materials, Electronic |
| Computer Files | Serial Publications | Visual Materials, Microform |
| Continually Updated Resources |
Audience
The WorldCat Collection Analysis service uses the same levels and the same mapping criteria as the OCLC FirstSearch service: Adult and Juvenile.
Library
When an analysis includes institutions in addition to your library, results may be displayed by individual library name.
Borrower/Lender
For ILL Analyses a library is identified as either the Borrower or the Lender
Holding Status
For ILL Analyses, this dimension shows how many borrowing requests were submitted for items not owned by your library.
Holding Count
For selected analyses, results may be displayed according to the number of libraries that hold a given title.
Shared By
For WorldCat Comparisons, this dimension shows how widely your library's or Subscription Group's items are held within WorldCat, that is, whether an item is held uniquely by your library/group or held by you and one, two, three (and so on) other libraries/groups.
Request Date
For ILL Analyses, this dimension shows the total number of items requested (Borrower) or shipped (Lender). You can view data by annual or quarterly totals.
Request Frequency
For ILL Analyses, this dimension shows how often a request was submitted (Borrower) or shipped (Lender). You can view aggregate or annual totals.
Request Cost
For ILL Analyses, this dimension shows how much your library paid (in ranges of U.S. dollars) for items you borrowed.
Copy vs Loan
For ILL Analyses, this dimension shows how many borrowing requests were submitted for items that the library expects back (such as books or videos) versus items that it does not expect to be returned (such as photocopies).
Types of Analyses
The WorldCat Collection Analysis service provides five types of collection analysis.
For Individual Institutions
Individual Library Analysis. This analysis presents your library's holdings according to the selected analysis dimensions.
Individual Library Comparison. This analysis presents your library's holdings compared to the combined titles (duplicates removed) of a Peer Comparison (a group of from one to five libraries that you have selected).
ILL Analyses. This analysis presents your library's borrowing and lending activity within WorldCat Resource Sharing.
For Subscription Groups
Group Analysis. This analysis presents the titles for each library in the Subscription Group according to the selected analysis dimensions.
Aggregated Group Analysis. This analysis presents the combined titles of all group members, with duplicates removed, as though it were a single institution. An Aggregated Group Analysis is used to compare your group to:
- WorldCat
- Subsets of your own group
- An authoritative collection development list
- OCLC-defined groups including OCLC NetLibrary and Ebooks databases
Overlap
The Overlap view of an analysis shows the number of titles a library holds in common with other libraries/institutions. The Overlap view is available for Individual Library Comparisons and for Group Analyses.
For an Individual Library Comparison, overlap shows the number of titles that the subscribing library owns jointly with the collective titles (duplicates removed) of a Peer Comparison.
For a Group Analysis, overlap is the number of titles each library owns jointly with another library in the group.
Uniqueness
The Uniqueness view of an analysis shows how broadly a given title is shared among the members of a group, that is, how many of a library's titles are:
- held by it alone
- held by one other member (Shared by 2)
- held by two other members (Shared by 3)
and so on.
The Uniqueness view is available for Individual Library Comparisons and for Group Analyses.
For an Individual Library Comparison, uniqueness shows how many of a library's titles are shared with a Peer Comparison.
For a Group Analysis, uniqueness shows how many of a library's titles are shared with one group member, two group members, three group members, and so on.
Collection Analysis Screens
Data to Analyze
The Data to Analyze screen lists all of the analyses available to your library or Subscription Group.
Analysis Results
The Analysis Results screen presents the results of an analysis in a spreadsheet-style table.
Graph Display
The Graph View presents the data from a single row as a graph. The default display shows:
- The Analysis Results column headings as the x-axis
- The number of titles or holdings as the y-axis
- The name of the row you selected as the graph title
You can view a graph by selecting the Display Graph 
icon.
Change Analysis
The Change Analysis screen allows you to change the order in which analysis dimensions are applied to an existing analysis. You can:
- Change the column value
- Change the order in which analysis dimensions are applied as rows:
Limit Analysis
The Limit Analysis screen allows you to reduce the breadth of an analysis by specifying subsets of one or more analysis dimensions. This enables you to reduce the number of records retrieved and focus information for specific purposes.
Changing an Analysis
To change column value or row order:
| Action | |
|---|---|
| 1 | On the Change Analysis screen, open the Data to Analyze field and select the analysis you want to change. Note: If your library subscribes to WorldCat Collection Analysis as an individual institution, your current comparisons are listed under Authoritative Lists , Per Comparisons , and Predefined Groups . If your library has subscribed as part of a group, Group and Aggregate Group [identified by (Aggregate) following their name] analyses are listed first. Additional Aggregate Group analyses are listed under Authoritative Lists and Predefined Groups. |
| 2 | Select the radio button for the dimension you want to use as the column value. |
| 3 | Using the Level lists, select the order in which you want the analysis dimensions to be applied. |
| 4 | Select the Run Analysis button. Result: The analysis is run with the new values and an updated Analysis Results screen is displayed. |
Limiting an Analysis
To use a subset of an analysis dimension:
| Action | |
|---|---|
| 1 | On the Limit Analysis screen, for each dimension check the limit(s) that you want to include in the analysis. Note: The Build Text Index screen appears.
|
| 2 | Select Run Analysis. |
Access Collection Analysis Administration
Access to the WorldCat Collection Analysis administrative functions is via the FirstSearch Administrative Module.
| Action | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Display the OCLC FirstSearch Administrative Module logon screen at: http:\\www.firstsearch.oclc.org/admin. |
| 2 | Enter the Authorization and Password associated with WorldCat Collection Analysis and select Start. |
| 3 | When the FirstSearch screen appears, select the Collection Analysis tab.
|
Creating a Peer Comparison (Administrative Module)
Libraries subscribing as individual institutions can create Peer Comparisons with from one to ten libraries. These libraries must have holdings in WorldCat.
There is no limit to the number of Peer Comparisons that a single authorization can create; however because groups require a significant amount of storage space, any Peer Comparison that is not viewed on the Analysis Results screen for a period of 120 calendar days is automatically deleted.
Before you begin. You can locate institution symbols at Find an OCLC Library. Keep in mind that a listing in Find an OCLC Library does not guarantee that a library has holdings in WorldCat.
| Action | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Enter a name in the Enter Group Name: field. |
| 2 | Enter an institution symbol (upper or lower case) in the Add Symbols: field, then select the Add  button.Result: The institution name appears in the Libraries in Comparison Group field. Warning: If you enter a symbol for a library that has no holdings in WorldCat, an error message displays. |
| 3 | Repeat Step 2 until your group contains at least two but no more than ten libraries. Note: If you have accidentally entered the wrong institution symbol and added the wrong library, select the incorrect symbol in the Libraries in Comparison Group field and then select the Delete  button. |
| 4 | Select Save Changes. Result: The group is created and the message: Library Comparison Groups screen changes saved appears at the top of the screen.Warning1: If you have entered a symbol for a library that has no holdings in WorldCat, an error message displays. Warning2: If you leave the screen before you select Save Changes your new group is lost. |
Creating a Secondary Group (Administrative Module)
Libraries subscribing as part of a Subscription Group can create a subset of the members of the group. For each Secondary Group created, WorldCat Collection Analysis automatically generates both a Group Analysis and an Aggregated Group Analysis.
There is no limit to the number of Secondary Groups that a single authorization can create; however because groups require a significant amount of storage space, any Secondary Group that is not viewed on the Analysis Results screen for a period of 120 calendar days is automatically deleted.
| Action | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Enter a name for the group in the Enter Group Analysis Name: field. |
| 2 | Select an institution or an existing Secondary Group name in the All Libraries/Groups field, then select the Add button. Result: The institution name appears in the Groups Included field |
| 3 | Repeat Step 2 at least once or until you have selected all libraries/Secondary Groups that you want to include in the new Secondary Group. Note: If you have accidentally added the wrong library or Secondary Group, select the incorrect name in the Libraries/Groups Included field and then select the Remove  button. |
| 4 | Select Save Changes. Result: The Secondary Group is created and the message: Groups screen changes saved: Group Analysis added appears at the top of the screen.Warning: If you leave the screen before you select Save Changes your new Secondary Group is lost. |
Creating a Predefined Group Comparison (Administrative Module)
All subscribing libraries can crate a comparison between their holdings and an OCLC-defined group.
- Libraries subscribing as individual institutions create a comparison between their holdings and an OCLC-defined group.
- Libraries subscribing as part of a group create a comparison between their Aggregated Group Analysis (combined titles of all group members, with duplicates removed) and an OCLC-defined Group.
An OCLC-defined group is a set of libraries that have been selected for the significance and/or specialization of their collections. This type of comparison is called a Predefined Group Comparison.
See the current list of Predefined Groups.
| Action | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select a category from the Select a Category: list. |
| 2 | Select a subcategory from the Select a Subcategory: list. |
| 3 | In the Select a Predefined Group field, select the group with which you want to compare your library's holdings. |
| 4 | Select the Add button. Result: A confirmation window appears. |
| 5 | In the confirmation window, select OK. Result: The confirmation window closes. |
| 6 | Select Save Changes. Result: A confirmation message appears at the top of the screen and the group you selected appears in the Choose a Predefined Group Comparison to delete field. Warning: If you leave the screen before you select Save Changes the comparison will not be created. |
Creating an Authoritative List Comparison (Administrative Module)
All subscribing libraries can create a comparison between their holdings and selected authoritative collection development lists such as Booklist, Books for College Libraries and Outstanding Academic Titles. This type of comparison is called an Authoritative List comparison.
- Libraries subscribing as individual institutions create a comparison between their holdings and the selected collection development list.
- Libraries subscribing as part of a group create a comparison between their Aggregated Group Analysis (combined titles of all group members, with duplicates removed) and the selected collection development list.
See the current list of Predefined Groups.
| Action | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select a list from the Select an Authoritative List box. |
| 2 | Select the Add button. Result: A confirmation window appears. |
| 3 | In the confirmation window, select OK. Result: The confirmation window closes. |
| 4 | Select Save Changes. Result: A confirmation message appears at the top of the screen and the group you selected appears in the Choose an Authoritative List Comparison to delete field. Warning: If you leave the screen before you select Save Changes the comparison will not be created. |
Creating a Circulation Analysis (Administrative Module)
A Circulation Analysis allows libraries subscribing as individual institutions to view how their library's collection is used within its local community. A Circulation Analysis tracks circulation activity at the title level, with title defined as an item having a unique OCLC accession number.
Circulation report
You must first generate a Circulation Report via your ILS, then upload it to OCLC. This report should include all items circulated within a given date range and may contain up to five (5) years of data.
The report may be in XML (preferred) or tab-delimited format, and must contain these fields: OCLC institution symbol, OCLC accession number, Barcode, Checkout date. For details, see the WCAS User Guide.
| Action | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Run a circulation report via your library’s ILS. |
| 2 | Check the Add Circulation Analysis check box. Caution: If the check box is already checked, a circulation analysis has already been requested/created for this library. OCLC recommends that you:
|
| 3 | Select Save Changes. Result: This message appears at the top of the screen: Circulation Analysis screen changes saved: analysis requested. Note:Upon receipt of your circulation data, we will provide your analysis within 14 days. |
| 4 | Select the Upload your data as an .xml or tab-delimited .txt file link. Result: The OCLC PSWeb window opens. |
| 5 | Enter your WCAS authorization and password, and select Enter. Result: The WorldCat Collection Analysis Circulation Statistics Upload screen appears. |
| 6 | Enter a contact name and e-mail address, then verify that the OCLC Symbol shown is correct. Note: If the symbol is not correct you must close the PSWeb window via the Close icon in the upper right corner and log in again with the authorization and password for the correct OCLC Symbol. |
| 7 | Select the I agree button below the terms and Conditions box. Result: The File uploads screen appears. |
| 8 | Select the first Browse button. Result: The Choose file window opens. |
| 9 | Navigate to the directory containing your circulation report, then highlight the file you want to upload and select the Open button. Result: The complete file path appears in the text box to the left of the Browse button you selected. |
| 10 | Do you want to upload additional file(s)?
|
| 11 | Select the first Upload Files button. Result: All of the file pathname boxes are cleared and this message appears above the set of boxes: Successfully uploaded ‘<filename>’. |
| 12 | Close the PSWeb window via the Close icon in the upper right corner and return to the Collection Analysis > Circulation Analysis screen. Result: Within three business days (typically) you will receive an e-mail that either confirms your data’s receipt and usability or asks for additional data. Once your data is accepted your Circulation Analysis should appear on the Data to Analyze screen within 14 days. |
Support
OCLC Support staff:
E-mail: Support@oclc.org
Telephone: 1-800-848-5800 (USA) or +1-614-793-8682
(7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., U.S. Eastern time, Monday-Friday)
Help
Online Screen Help
Screen-specific help is available from all WorldCat Collection Analysis screens. To access this help, select the Help 
icon. A separate window opens displaying a menu of Help topics.
Documentation
User Guide
The WorldCat Collection Analysis User Guide is available as an HTML document on the OCLC Web site. The navigation area (left column) of this page contains a link to a .pdf version of the document.
Ordering printed copies of this document
To order printed copies of this publication at no charge, send an e-mail request to orders@oclc.org. Include the product code REF1103.