What Is WorldCat?

WorldCat includes items in almost any format from thousands of libraries around the world. Items included date as far back as 1000BC.

Strengths:

• Large database containing millions of records
• Includes records in approximately 400 languages
• Search pages are user friendly

Weaknesses:

• Some searches such as the “title phrase” search, aren’t always accurate
• The Advanced and Expert searches are very similar and could be combined into one page

Features:

• Keeps track of previous searches
• Allows the user to email records
• Records link the user to libraries in their area

The basic search page allows you to search by keyword, author, title, ISBN and year.

Basic Search Example:
I’m looking for new works by David Sedaris.
Step 1:
In the "author" field, type "Sedaris, David".
Step 2:
In the "year" field, type "2004".
Step 3:
Click on the “search” button.

Advanced Search
The advanced search allows you to search in more detail or add limits to your search. You can search by categories such as publisher, accession number, or series title. You can limit your search by language, format, rank or a particular library. (cont.)

Advanced Search Example:
I know David Sedaris lives in France. Are any of his books available in French?
Step 1:
In the “search for” field type “Sedaris, David” and click on the down arrow to select “author”.
Step 2:
In the “limit to language” field, click on the down arrow and choose “French”.
Step 3:
Click on the “search” button.

Expert Search:
The expert search allows you to search using truncation, plurals, wildcards, Boolean and proximity searches.

Expert Search Example:
I’m looking for children’s books about peanut butter and jelly.
Step 1:
In the “search for” box type “peanut w1 butter w2 jelly”. This indicates that you want “peanut” to be within 1 word of “butter” and “jelly” to be within 2 words of “butter”.
Step 2:
In the “limit type to” field click the box next to “books”.
Step 3:
In the “subtype limits” field change “any audience” to “juvenile”.
Step 4:
Click on the search button.

*WorldCat screenshots were used with OCLC’s permission. WorldCat is a registered trademark of OCLC.

This page was revised by Kyla Kothman in Spring 2007.
INF 382S: Library Instruction and Information Literacy, taught by Dr. Loriene Roy
School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin