WorldCat Uses by the Public By: Sally Winstead

What is WorldCat? zWorldCat is the world’s largest online database of bibliographic and institutional metadata, with over 233 million bibliographic entries. zIt connects over 72,000 libraries in 170 different countries to share the their contents. zWorldCat helps libraries share resources which in turns helps cut costs. zAlso, WorldCat helps libraries become a larger presence in the community they serve as well as the world! (Chan, 2007) (“At a glance OCLC-WorldCat,” 2011)

What is WorldCat?- Continued zWorldCat helps everyday people search for information and resources that could be of use to them. If there is a physical copy of what is wanted, WorldCat will identify the closest library for you to get it from. It also has a wide-range of electronic copies of articles, music, photos, videos and other content. (Chan, 2007) (“At a glance OCLC-WorldCat,” 2011)

History of WorldCat zOn July 5, 1967, the presidents of the colleges and universities in the state of Ohio founded the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) to develop a computerized system in which the state's 54 college and university libraries could share resources and reduce costs. zIn 1967, the group hired Frederick G. Kilgour to build a “cooperative, computerized network in which most, if not all, Ohio libraries would participate.” zOn August 26, 1971, the OCLC Online Union Catalog which is now called WorldCat went online! zIn 1977, the Ohio members of OCLC adopted changes that enabled libraries outside Ohio to become members. zIn 1981, the legal name changed to OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (“In the beginning -OCLC-Heritage,” 2011) (“Union Lists: WorldCat,” 2010)

History of WorldCat (continued) zIn 2006, Worldcat released Worldcat.org, which allows public access to much of Worldcat's content. zIn 2007, the RLG Union Catalog was merged into Worldcat, increasing the numbers of records, represented library catalogs and holdings significantly. Today, it the world's largest and richest database of bibliographic information. zIn 2007, OCLC began piloting Worldcat Local, enabling libraries to combine Worldcat.org with local holdings displays, services and branding. (“In the beginning -OCLC-Heritage,” 2011) (“Union Lists: WorldCat,” 2010)

Purpose of Study zI chose to study WorldCat for many reasons: yFirst, it is the largest and most used library catalog around the world. ySecond, it has easy accessibility due to its website, yThird, its target audience is the day to day information seekers who need to find information to further their knowledge.

Research Questions zThe following questions arose while I was researching WorldCat: yWhat is its helpfulness to the general public? yHow accessible is it really to the public? yIs the general public using WorldCat? yWhat objections or negative reactions has WorldCat faced from the public?

What is WorldCat’s helpfulness to the general public? zWorldCat has many components such as Open WorldCat, WorldCat.org and WorldCat Local. Each part brings something different to the public. zOpen WorldCat: yIntegrates WorldCat content into popular search engines like Google or Yahoo! Search. This allows WorldCat records to appear along with other general search results showing people the information that local libraries can provide for them. (Ward, J. L., Shadle, S., & Mofield, P., 2008)

What is WorldCat’s helpfulness to the general public? Continued zWorldCat.org: yThis is a destination website for access to library collections and services. It provides links to services and resources that are geographically close to the user. zWorldCat Local: yContains the basic elements of WorldCat.org but it is specialized to look and feel like your local library. It shows users all that your local library has to offer as well as linking it to the WorldCat database full of millions of bibliographic records from around the world. (Ward, J. L., Shadle, S., & Mofield, P., 2008)

How accessible is WorldCat really to the public? zWith the launching of WorldCat.org in 2006, the WorldCat database became accessible to millions of people around the world. zThousands of libraries list WorldCat as a viable search option for patrons to use when searching for information. The Durham Public Library has a link to WorldCat as well as NCCU. zWorldCat moved with the times and released an iPhone App. in (“Nc live homepage,” 2011) ("Shepard library," 2011)

Is the general public using WorldCat? zI used the Usage Reports from the NCLive.org. I looked at the number of WorldCat sessions people had in the NC Consortium which includes all public libraries, the state library, and all college and university libraries (community, public or private) from May 2006 to May 2011 the following data was collected: yMay ,917 sessions yMay ,148 sessions yMay ,970 sessions yMay ,276 sessions yMay ,109 sessions yMay ,245 sessions (“Nc live homepage,” 2011)

Is the general public using WorldCat? Continued z Based on the information provided, WorldCat has seen a decrease of 58% of the number of sessions occurring in NC from May of 2006 to May of z There was an unexplained large increase in the number of WorldCat sessions in May of z The data represents approximately 400 public libraries, 1 state library, 55 colleges and universities and 59 community colleges. z The average number of WorldCat sessions in each library for May 2011 was about 33. (“Nc live homepage,” 2011)

What objections or negative reactions has WorldCat faced from the public? zTwo major objections were found: yFirst, the cost of WorldCat. There is a large fee for libraries to be able to use WorldCat and all of the components associated with it such as WorldCat.org, WorldCat Local and Open WorldCat. ySecond, WorldCat only has cataloged items from libraries. People are objecting due to the wealth of material around the world that is not being cataloged because it is not being maintained by a library. (Foster, A. L., 2008)

References z“At a glance (OCLC-WorldCat)” (2011). OCLC Online Computer Library Center. Retrieved from zBreeding, M. (2007). WorldCat Local. Library Technology Reports, 43(4), Retrieved from EBSCOhost. zChan, L. M. (1997). Cataloging and classification: An introduction. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. zFoster, A. L. (2008). An Upstart Web Catalog Challenges an Academic-Library Giant. Chronicle of Higher Education, 54(24), A11. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. z“In the beginning (OCLC-Heritage)” (2011). OCLC Online Computer Library Center. Retrieved from

References- Continued zJordan, J. (2003). Guest Editorial: Cooperating During Difficult Times. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 29(6), Retrieved from EBSCOhost. zNc live homepage: welcome. (2011). Retrieved from zShepard library. (2011, June 14). Retrieved from z“Union Lists: WorldCat” (2010). The University of Arizona Universities Libraries. Retrieved from ml zWard, J. L., Shadle, S., & Mofield, P. (2008). Usage and Impact of WorldCat Local. 44(6). Retrieved from EBSCOhost.