Introduction to Worldcat (OCLC)

Presentation for PGDILIT CourseBy

Dr.D.N.PhadkeCoordinator,PGDILIT

Contact: Mob.9869786186Mail:dnphadke@gmail.com

What is Worldcat?

World cat is a global Library Catalogue created out of catalogue data shared by interested libraries to OCLC to host globally.It is facility to host library catalogue data as well as digital resources in a modern way with meta data to library’s own users. It is a tool to create library consortium and promote resource sharing

Present Features of Worldcat

It is union catalogue of:*72000 world libraries from 170 countries.*1,923,827,344 holdings*470 languages*17500 lakh full text documents*Project Started by OCLC in 2003,which became fully operational in 2006*Free access to worldwide readers

Characteristics of Worldcat

1.Resources available in worldcat Global Catalogue as:Rare books, Music CDs, Videos ,audio books, full text papers, research materials, photographs, material rel. to amnesty, heritage and material of genealogical importance available in worldwide languages with facility to download. Although referral type of information is available getting material is not difficult

Worldcat-Characterastics

2.Alongwith library material as well as services metadata of collections are also available

3.It is a comprehensive tool to host library OPAC on Internet by using OCLC cloud facilities. It does not require additional hardware as entire global catalogue is available on cloud. Each entry relates to library where it is held plus it is available with advance search engine, browser, toolbar along with social networking and online book stores links

Characteristics Contd./-4.It conserves library fund as worldcat facilitates to promote

library resource sharing helps to avoid duplication in collection. It also facilitates streamlining acquisition, cataloguing. It also helps in organising library consortia.

5.With global library cooperation each library participates in mission of helping worldwide readers

6.Worldcat provides broader base for all OCLC services-First search, question bank virtual etc.

7.It opens gateway to library readers to search literature available in worldwide libraries along with self library collection on similar topics there by clustering search results

Worldcat In short1.Each physical as well as electronic document finds place in

worlscat global catalogue2. Place to get renouned,rare and material of social and

historical importance3. Represents material belong to libraries of 170 countries

available in 470 different languages4.Serachinhg collections of most of national libraries is

feasible.5.Helps to record metadata of bibliographic and full text

collection5.It facilitates evaluation of library collection6.Clustering of documents available in different formats

possible

Advantages of Worldcat1.Readers of your library can search your collection like

Google or yahoo2.Worldcat facilitates library to through open its

collection and services on a wider platform3.Not only your readers search material through worldcat

interface but they also evaluate their search and also interact with other readers through social networking tools in preparing standard search

4.Worldcat provides readers with comprehensive union catalogue .It provides base for OCLC services

5.Collections available in diff. Languages of various countries tries to create cultural bridging

Advantages-

6.Helps to get rare material7.Facilitates to explore literature in different

formats8.It helps in exploring sponsors for digitization of

rare material available in one of the library using content.dm facility

9.Library can get usage statistics of use of its own library collection

10.Each participating library gets opportunity to participate in OCLC movement of serving worldwide readers

FAQs on Worldcat

1.Where I should go to get worldcat access?Simply if you go to site www.oclc.org/worldcat/ from any PC having internet connection you can get connected to worldcat facility.To improve the search if you register your pincode the site can take you to searches from nearby libraries.

Can I Access Worldcat from my home?

Yes! You can get connected from your home,from school,worl place coffee shop-Cyber Caffey,moreover you can access it from mobile or tab having 2G/3G connection.You can reach facebook of worldcat or can creat icon on your broweser .You can place its icon your face book or blog

Is worldcat facility is free or I need to subscribe it against payment?

Worldcat is free search facility ,you can save your searches for future use in your profile. Your library can place icon of worldcat on their web page through you can access worldcat. If your library has shared its catalogue data or it has subscribed to OCLCs First Search resource then also youcan get access of worldcat through library webpage

Now I have facility to serach worldcat How I should actually search the material?

It is like search your library OPAC.By writing search term in worldcat window you can get search result. To improve it register your pin code so that material available libraries near to you is shown on priority. In any case material from your library is shown on top of it.

Now I have searched the material but it is available in some other library ,then how

Can I get it?You can very well explore following possibilities:1.Your library can place request to that library for ILL.If not they can request to provide photocopy of it.2.You may visit that library and request for material.3.Findout if any of your friends who is member of that library can help you in getting that material.4.You may try to buy the from online book store as worldcat site facilitates this.

Can I get access to electronic database through Worldcat?

Library nearby to you might have subscribed to OCLC databases(First Search) but you need to become member of that library to get access to database.Can I request Librarian of nearby library to provide access to worldcat?Yes! You can try , any librarian who accepts worldcat ideology and works for helping any reader can certainly help you.

Types Worldcat facilities

1.Facility to search using worldcat interface, individually or through any library.2.Through a library who has participated in worldcat by sharing catalogue data called- Worldcat Local3.Library has subscribed to OCLC ‘s First Search database and against that worldcat access is available called as worldcat Local Quick Fast4.One can view list of worldcat libraries who have participated in it through through worldcat registry ,which can also be used to serach the material

Other Issues

1.Method of participation in worldcat by a library2.Installation of worldcat facility and creating related Icons on library webpage3.Subscription to OCLC first search4.Maintaining the follow up and renewal etc.

Thank You

Any Questions