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Citations











Can I get a bibliographic citation for a single item from its WorldCat record?

Yes. Click the Cite/Export link within the WorldCat detailed record. A pop-up window provides citations for the five most common citation styles: APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA and Turabian. (Make sure you disable or override any pop-up blocking toolbars or software when clicking the link.) Highlight and copy the citation you need and paste it into a word-processor document or e-mail. Make sure that none of the citation's text formatting has been lost in the process.

You can also export a citation for the individual item in two popular formats: Endnote and RefWorks. Look for the "Export" links next to the "Cite this Item" link in the WorldCat record.

If you select EndNote and have that software installed on your computer, the application should automatically launch and accept the exported file.

If you select RefWorks and are not already logged into the RefWorks Web site, WorldCat will launch a new browser window and take you to the site logon page. (If a new window does not open, make sure it is not being blocked by your browser or toolbar software.) Once you have logged in, RefWorks will accept the exported file and display a "Import completed" confirmation.

Note that you can also create a WorldCat list of library items and then export the entire list as bibliographic citations.

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I created a WorldCat list. Can I view and print bibliographic citations for items on the list?

Yes. When you view your list, click the tab labeled Citations View. This displays citations for list items in your choice of five common citation styles: APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA and Turabian.

To print your entire list as bibliographic citations:

  1. View your list using the Citations View tab
  2. Select the style you want to use in the Citation Style menu. (The Citations View will reload your list in that style.)
  3. Select the sort method you want to use in the Sort By menu. (The Citations View will reload your list sorted by this method.)
  4. Click "Print" at the top of the list display, below the list title. (A new pop-up window will appear; if it does not open, make sure it is not being blocked by your browser or toolbar software.)
  5. Click "Print This Page" at the top of the pop-up window
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Can I export a WorldCat list as bibliographic citations?

Yes. Citations for items on your WorldCat list can be exported in your choice of five common citation styles: APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA and Turabian. You can save the file to your PC or portable media such as a flash drive in several formats: HTML, Rich Text, or RIS. You can also export to Endnote bibliographic software or the RefWorks research management Web site.

To export your WorldCat list as bibliographic citations:

  1. View the list and click on the Citations View tab
  2. Select your desired Citation Style. (The Citations View will reload your list in that style.)
  3. If desired, change how the list is sorted in the "Sort by" box. (The exported file will list citations in this order.)
  4. If there is a list item for which you do not want to export a citation, uncheck its selection checkbox at left. (All list items are selected by default.)
  5. Finally, select the export file format in the "Export selected references" box
  6. Click the "Export" button

If you selected HTML, Rich Text or RIS as the export format, your computer will display a save-file dialog. Navigate to your desired location and save the file. (Lists exported as HTML will hyperlink the title of each cited work to the corresponding item record on WorldCat.org.)

If you selected EndNote and have that software installed on your computer, the application should automatically launch and accept the exported file.

If you selected RefWorks and are not already logged into the RefWorks Web site, WorldCat will launch a new browser window and take you to the site logon page. (If a new window does not open, make sure it is not being blocked by your browser or toolbar software.) Once you have logged in, RefWorks will accept the exported file and display a "Import completed" confirmation.

Remember that you can copy or export citations for a single item on your list, right from the item's WorldCat detailed record. (To reach an item's detailed record, view your list in the "Details and Notes View" and click an item's name.)

You can also export your entire WorldCat list in CSV (comma-delimited) format from the "Details and Notes View" of the list. (CSV-formatted list exports can be imported into many spreadsheet and database programs. These list exports, however, do not present information as bibliographic citations.)

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Can I export a list directly to bibliographic software or Web sites?

Yes. WorldCat can export your list to Endnote bibliographic software or the RefWorks research management Web site.

See more information about exporting WorldCat lists ››

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The bibliographic citations WorldCat provides for an item don't use the formatting I need.

Citations provided via the "Cite this Item" links in WorldCat records are based on the reference standards for the most common citation styles: APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA and Turabian. Because formatting rules within a style can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study, you may have to adjust a citation to the specific requirements or preferences of your reviewing publisher, institution or organization.

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