A Guide to Using WorldCat

Below is the opening screen in WorldCat. From this screen you can see that you are on the basic search form of the WorldCat database. You can complete basic searches such as KEYWORD, AUTHOR, and TITLE from this screen as well as limit the YEAR(s) of your search.

Below is an example of a typical, basic search. The author’s last name has been entered in the appropriate field, along with the title. The publication year entered as “2001-“ will retrieve editions of the title published from 2001 to the present.

Below is a detail of the search results page comprised of three title records. Note that the second record (#2) indicates a publication date of 2006 and 33 libraries own the title. Also note that the third record (#3) indicates a publication date of 2002 and 231 libraries own the title. Select the record of the title you want to pursue by clicking on it.

If you select record 2 from the above search results, you will see the screen below. To request the title in this record, simply click on the ILL icon (see the red arrow at the top of the record screen), or click on the “Borrow this item from another library” text link (see the red arrow near the middle of the record screen).

To complete your request, you will be presented with the form below. Enter all required personal and contact information (and * indicates a required field).  Select your department or affiliation or major from the drop down box beside the black arrow. Select your status from the drop down box beside the red arrow below. Select your desired pickup location from the drop down box beside the green arrow below. Once the form is completed, click the Submit button below near the bottom of the screen. When the title arrives, an email notification message will be sent to the email address you provided in the request form.

Once you click the Submit button, you can search and request other titles. During your current, active search session, WorldCat will remember your personal and contact information so that you won’t have to enter it again.