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WorldCat Local : At a glance

WorldCat® Local at a glance

WorldCat Local is a unique service that works in conjunction with WorldCat.org and provides Web access to WorldCat—the world's richest database for discovery of materials held in libraries.

Benefits

  • Patrons use a single interface—they don’t jump between multiple systems to search different kinds of materials.
  • Fast, seamless access to the most appropriate delivery options means users link directly to electronic content, circulation activities and resource sharing without having to know your library’s workflows.
  • Simple, network-level implementation means no local installation of hardware or software. (WorldCat Local integrates with your current ILS and other infrastructure.)
  • Your library users see the easiest-to-get items first, and have access to WorldCat libraries worldwide.
  • Deliver your library’s resources at the point of need. Your search box can be placed on any Web page or Web-enabled workspaces, such as eLearning courses.
  • Meet users’ Web-influenced expectations with simple keyword search and global social-networking tools, such as list sharing, reviews, ratings and personal profiles.
  • Social Web activities at a global level, in addition to local and regional interaction.
  • Increased Web visibility for your library because users can reach your library from Google, Yahoo! and other partner Web sites via the WorldCat.org platform.

Features

  • Configurable options for interface, systems and content (see below)
  • Single search box
  • Faceted-browse search refinement
  • Unified record display of descriptive information, shelf locations/status and fulfillment options
  • Six interface languages (Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish)
  • User contribution of reviews, ratings and lists.
  • Syndication of your holdings data to major Web search engines
  • Open-technology platform that enables Web-service querying of your data via distributed software and code

Configurability

  • Interoperation with ILS and resource sharing services
  • Branding elements such as logo, colors and custom WorldCat.org URL
  • Navigation links to local services such as OpenURL resolver and virtual reference
  • Factors influencing relevance ranking
  • Local sources of full text, electronic content and digital objects included in search results