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About WorldCat.org

Find an overview of the interface and the features available in WorldCat.org.

Introduction to WorldCat.org

WorldCat is the world's most comprehensive database of information about library collections. Unique in scale and unparalleled in data quality, WorldCat makes library collections findable and accessible around the world. It's where you can locate a book, video, or other items of interest and discover which libraries near you own the item. Individual member libraries in your community and elsewhere provide access to the items represented in WorldCat.

Recommended browsers

The most effective internet access to WorldCat.org is provided by standard web browsers.

WorldCat.org homepage

The WorldCat.org homepage is divided into three sections.

1. Global navigation and search field

WorldCat.org global navigation and search box

1.1 Global navigation

The global navigation allows you to navigate WorldCat.org.

Header link Description
Home Click to return to the WorldCat.org homepage.
Libraries Click to view the library profile screen.
  • The search box on the Libraries page searches libraries by default.
  • Select Items from the drop-down list to search for books, articles, and more.
Topics Click to view the WorldCat Topics screen, which includes information and tutorials such as using WorldCat to conduct genealogy research.
Lists Click to view WorldCat lists.
About Click to view information about WorldCat.org.
For Librarians Click to discover the benefits of WorldCat membership and find out how to add your library to WorldCat.

1.2 Access WorldCat.org

1.3 Location

WorldCat.org tries to determine your location based on the unique Internet protocol (IP) address assigned to the network connection or Internet service provider you are using. Click the location to update it to your current location.

1.4 Search WorldCat.org

The WorldCat.org search field appears on every WorldCat.org page. 

2. Midsection

The middle of the homepage provides:

  • Links to curated WorldCat search results lists (e.g., cooking, classic films, etc.)
  • Links to featured lists from participating libraries
  • A link to The Library 100
  • Recent additions to WorldCat
  • Links to WorldCat user lists

3. Footer

WorldCat.org footer

3.1 Change the WorldCat.org interface language

The WorldCat.org footer allows you to select the language of the WorldCat.org interface. Options include:

  • Czech
  • German
  • English (default)
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Dutch
  • Portuguese
  • Thai
  • Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)

 Note:

  • Changing the interface language affects the My Profile screen, the Item Details screen header and footer, and search results.
  • Changing the interface language may not affect the language of free text screens (e.g., Libraries, Topics, etc.).
  • While the items presented to a user for a particular search remain the same regardless of interface language, the descriptive metadata returned for each item is altered based on the interface language when metadata in the chosen language is present.

3.2 Access WorldCat.org online help

Click Support to access online help for WorldCat.org.

3.3 Navigate WorldCat.org

The footer provides the global navigation links as well as a link to OCLC Support.

3.4 WorldCat.org social media links

The footer provides WorldCat.org's social media accounts as well as OCLC's YouTube channel and LinkedIn company page.

You can follow WorldCat.org using any of the following platforms.