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WorldCat Help

General WorldCat questions











What is WorldCat?

WorldCat is the world's largest network of library-based content and services. The WorldCat Web site worldcat.org lets you:

  • Search many libraries at once for an item and then locate it in a library nearby
  • Find books, music, and videos that you can pick up at your library
  • Find research articles and digital books and audiobooks that can be directly viewed or downloaded
  • Quickly link to "Ask a Librarian" and other online services at your library
  • Create a personal profile that tells others about your interests
  • Build lists of library materials you can share with others
  • Post your review of an item, or contribute factual information about it such as historical context
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What am I searching? What will I find?

WorldCat lets you search the collections of libraries in your community and thousands more around the world. WorldCat grows every day thanks to the efforts of librarians and other information professionals.

You'll find popular books, music CDs and videos—all of the physical items you're used to getting from libraries. You can also discover many new kinds of digital content, such as downloadable audiobooks.

You may also find citations for articles with links to their full text; authoritative research materials, such as documents and photos of local or historic significance; and digital versions of rare items that aren't available to the public. Because WorldCat libraries serve diverse communities in dozens of countries, materials are available in many languages.

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How did I get here from the Web site I was on?

You most likely clicked a link in Google or Yahoo! search results that included the labels "Find in a Library" and/or "WorldCat." WorldCat works with popular Web search sites as well as online booksellers and other sites to provide links to WorldCat information about library-owned materials.

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For a book, video or other item, what kind of information is available?

WorldCat search results display a range of items related to your search keyword(s), and help you quickly determine which items are of interest. Generally, the information displayed includes:

  • the title of the item;
  • its authors, artists, directors or other creative participants;
  • the item's format and language;
  • year of publication;
  • the names of publishers and distributors of the item;
  • if an article, the name of the magazine or journal in which the article appeared

A WorldCat detailed record for a specific item repeats the above information and adds:

  • Cover art (if available)
  • International standard numbers that identify the item, such as ISBN
  • Linked author names that let you see other works by that person
  • Linked subject headings that let you explore similar titles
  • Links to author biographies, book excerpts, authors' Web sites, and other helpful information

Areas beneath the WorldCat record can tell you more about the item and let you post your own information and opinions:

  • Borrow or obtain a copy: Look up nearby libraries that own the item
  • Details: Factual notes about the item or its table of contents
  • Similar Items: Follow linked subject headings that let you explore similar titles
  • Reviews: Read ratings and reviews of the item contributed by WorldCat users, or add your own
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I found something I want. What do I do now?

Once you have found an item of interest, go to the Borrow or obtain a copy section. If your ZIP or postal Code is not already entered, enter your ZIP Code or other geographical information (state, province or country) and click Find libraries . Your location is retained by your Web browser for later WorldCat searches.

WorldCat displays a list of member libraries near you that own that item. An individual library link (for example, "Springfield Public Library") will usually take you right to that library's Web site and its online catalog record for the item. In most cases, you will need to log in to that Web site with your active membership account for that library to check out or reserve materials, view or download content, join a waiting list, or perform other actions.

If you are using this site from physically within a WorldCat library or over an Internet connection recognized by the library (such as a campus-wide network), you usually won't need to enter your location. WorldCat detailed records should include buttons that give you direct access to your library's catalog and electronic content ("View online").

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Can I check something out?

It depends on whether you have an active membership with a WorldCat library that owns the item, and whether that library's Web site permits remote checkout of an item.

WorldCat lets you find an item of interest and then locate a member library near you that owns it. Usually you will link directly to the record for the item on the library's Web site. The actions available to you on that page will vary from one library to another.

You may be able to view the item's current availability and location in the library, reserve it, check it out, join a waiting list, or even have it shipped and delivered. Again, to perform these actions, you will usually have to log in using your active membership account for that library.

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Can WorldCat send me something I want?

No. WorldCat is a "master" catalog of the collections of our member libraries. It's a way for you to locate a book, video or other item of interest and discover which libraries near you own the item. Our individual member libraries in your community and elsewhere still provide the actual services, such as loaning you a book or providing access to online articles.

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Can I download books on WorldCat?

Electronic books, audiobooks and other downloadable or Web-viewable materials may be available from your local WorldCat library. WorldCat.org does not provide direct access to electronic titles—it helps you find a title of interest and link to the libraries in your community that have it.

To download or view electronic materials, you will be required to log in to your library's Web site with an active membership account.

If you are using this site from physically within a WorldCat library or over an Internet connection recognized by the library (such as a campus-wide network), you may be able to link directly to viewable or downloadable electronic content right from its WorldCat detailed record.

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Can I get into electronic databases?

Some WorldCat libraries make their specialized reference databases available on their Web sites, but only to library members. Your WorldCat search may produce direct links to articles and other resources in these databases. To access these resources, though, you may first be required to log in using your active membership account with the owning library.

If you are using this site from physically within a WorldCat library or over an Internet connection recognized by the library (such as a campus-wide network), you may be able to link to the full text of an article right from its WorldCat detailed record.

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I need help from a librarian. What should I do?

WorldCat library results—the list of libraries in your area that own a particular item—often include a direct link to the "Ask a Librarian" help feature of a library's Web site, where you can submit a question or even start a live conversation. You can also follow the "Library Information" link for a particular library: You'll see their Web page containing contact phone numbers and other basic information such as street address and hours of operation.

If you have followed a link in WorldCat library listings into a library's Web catalog, you can also look for a link to an "Ask a Librarian" service there, or navigate to the library's general information page for phone numbers or other contact options.

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My local library does not appear in my results for the item I want. Why?

WorldCat may not include listings of all libraries in your area. Your local library may not be a WorldCat member library, or may not own the particular item you seek. Your library may, however, participate in a resource-sharing program. This permits the item to be borrowed from another library, possibly one that does appear in your library results. Contact your local librarian and ask if this is possible.

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Can I add information to WorldCat?

Yes! On the detailed record page for a particular item, you can enter a rating and review under the "Reviews" tab. Note that only you can modify or delete your own review.

You'll need to create a free WorldCat user account in order to contribute ratings and reviews.

Note that you cannot create a new WorldCat record for a work you have authored or with which you are otherwise associated. The records in WorldCat are created by cataloging professionals in our member libraries. You should encourage your nearest WorldCat library to add your book to its collection, or work with your publisher to submit information about it to WorldCat.

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Can I search WorldCat at my local library?

Ask your local librarian if the library is a WorldCat member and offers the FirstSearch reference service. If so, you can search WorldCat via FirstSearch when you are physically at the library.

You may also be able to search WorldCat from the library's Web site, once you have logged into it with your active membership account.

Although the basic identifying information you'll find on this Web site can fulfill most needs, WorldCat at your library includes extra features such as:

  • Advanced and expert searches
  • "Find similar items"
  • Links to published reviews and excerpts
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I have a suggestion or comment. How do I send it to WorldCat?

A "Feedback" link at the bottom of any WorldCat page lets you tell us what you think about the WorldCat Web site. Note that "Ask a Librarian"-type research assistance is not provided through the Feedback form. Please contact your local library for research help.

Learn more about "Ask a Librarian" services in WorldCat

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How can I stay up-to-date on WorldCat news?

Click the "Get E-mail Updates" link at the bottom of any WorldCat page and subscribe to our mailing list. You'll receive occasional messages that announce new site features and other enhancements.

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