| FAQs |
| Why don't my holdings show in WorldCat.org search results, when I know I have the item? |
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If you are not a current subscriber to FirstSearch WorldCat then your library’s holdings will not be included in the WorldCat view that is exposed on the Web. (At this time, this means that a library must maintain a subscription to the WorldCat database on the FirstSearch service. The unlimited access subscription requirement for new subscribing libraries is still in effect. ) Libraries with this subscription access in place will deliver access to their collections through the WorldCat.org search, the Open WorldCat program and through WorldCat and related databases on the FirstSearch service. |
| Why should my library continue to subscribe to WorldCat on FirstSearch if my users will be able to search the entire WorldCat database through the WorldCat.org search box? |
| |
A FirstSearch subscription—which makes the full-featured version of WorldCat available to a library's onsite and remotely authenticated users—ensures that your library's holdings appear in WorldCat.org results, as well as the results of Web users arriving from Open WorldCat partner sites such as Google and Yahoo!. Your users—and many others in your community who are not library members—are searching the complete WorldCat database with the WorldCat.org search box. However, after they have found an item of interest and localize their search to nearby WorldCat libraries that own the item, they only see the holdings of libraries that subscribe to FirstSearch.
Additionally, the view of WorldCat on FirstSearch supports more sophisticated searching that many users need. For example, in the FirstSearch view, a user can search for terms in specific fields (title, author, subject, etc.) and limit by characteristics such as format, date or audience level.
Your WorldCat subscription also supports the exposure of your library’s collections and services on the Web through a growing number of OCLC programs. |
| If I have "block" (per-search) access to WorldCat on FirstSearch, are my WorldCat holdings visible through WorldCat.org? |
| |
No. If you currently have per-search or "block" access to WorldCat on FirstSearch, your holdings are not visible. Please contact
Tim Rivard (1.800.635.4638 x1949 or rivard@nelinet.net) if you are interseted in starting a subscription to WorldCat on FirstSearch. |
OCLC's FAQ is a very comprehensive resource for any additional questions you might have.
http://www.oclc.org/worldcat/web/faq/default.htm |
WorldCat on FirstSearch, Open WorldCat,
and WorldCat.org Compared |
| At this time, public views of your collection through WorldCat include FirstSearch, the new WorldCat search box, search engines and other Web resources. If you have a FirstSearch WorldCat subscription then the cost of any charges would be covered within that subscription price. A comparison chart for WorldCat on FirstSearch, WorldCat via the Open WorldCat program, and WorldCat via WorldCat.org is below. |
| Feature |
WorldCat on FirstSearch |
WorldCat via Open WorldCat Program |
WorldCat via WorldCat.org |
| Update frequency |
Daily |
Varies by Web partner |
Daily |
| Record display |
Displays data from most MARC record fields, including audience, genre, notes, etc.) |
Brief bibliographic citation display (Title, author, place/date of publication, language, format, ISBN/ISSN, subjects) |
Brief bibliographic citation display (Title, author, place/date of publication, language, format, ISBN/ISSN, subjects) |
| Search options |
More than 50 searchable keyword or phrase indexes |
No direct searching; link to records from search results on partner sites |
Keyword search at release; more options later |
| Cross-database searching |
Simultaneous searching of WorldCat and up to 2 additional databases |
Access only through links from partner sites |
Initially, search of only WorldCat; future will include searching of multiple databases |
| Access options |
FirstSearch service interface via manual logon, scripted access or IP address; Z39.50 compliant |
Web users reach Find in a Library interface only via direct link from records in search results on partner sites |
Search WorldCat search box on WorldCat.org site OR Search WorldCat search box on affiliate sites |
| Library branding |
Librarians may brand the interface with a library logo |
No library-specific branding |
No library-specific branding |
| Customization options |
Many interface and functionality customization options available. Deep linking (OPAC), links to library resources and OpenURL linking set up in FirstSearch is also visible in Find in a Library interface |
Links to library Web sites, catalogs, virtual reference services and Open URL servers |
Links to library Web sites, catalogs, virtual reference services and Open URL servers |
| OpenURL linking |
Yes |
Yes. Includes COinS |
Yes. Includes COinS |
| Access to virtual reference services |
Yes. Custom link option |
Yes. OCLC sets up links to all QuestionPoint users. Librarians may submit links to other services |
es. OCLC sets up links to all QuestionPoint users. Librarians may submit links to other services.
Additional access planned as future enhancement |
| Participation requirement |
Any library may purchase access to WorldCat. All new subscribers must subscribe at the unlimited level. Libraries must add holdings to WorldCat in order for users to see library ownership information |
Library must have holdings in WorldCat and an active WorldCat subscription on the FirstSearch service in order to be visible on the Open Web through the program |
Library must have holdings in WorldCat and an active WorldCat subscription on the FirstSearch service to be visible in this interface |
| Pricing |
Subscription and per-search. All new subscriptions to WorldCat are at the unlimited level |
No separate charge for participation. Exposure on the Web is an added benefit of maintaining an active subscription to the WorldCat database on FirstSearch. |
No separate charge for library participation. Exposure on the Web is an added benefit of maintaining an active subscription to the WorldCat database on FirstSearch. |
