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Perform a library search

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Discover how to search for libraries and add favorite libraries to your user profile in WorldCat.org.

Only libraries that have created a profile in the WorldCat Registry and have visibility subscriptions are listed in the library search results. All libraries will remain discoverable on the WorldCat Registry page. If you are a librarian and do not see your library listed, you may create a free WorldCat Registry profile.

You can also add favorite libraries to your user profile from the Libraries screen. Click the Favorite Library button to add a library to the Favorite Libraries screen in your user profile.

A confirmation dialog appears that the library has been added to your favorite libraries. You can click Manage in the confirmation dialog to open the Favorite Libraries screen in your user profile.

 Note: You can add up to five favorite libraries to your user profile.

Search for a library by name

  1. Click Libraries in the header. The Libraries screen opens with an auto-generated list of nearby libraries based on your location.
    Or
    Select Libraries from the search field drop-down list. 
  2. Enter a library name in the search field.
  3. Click the Search button (Search button) or press <Enter>. Your search result(s) will be ordered alphabetically by all libraries with that search term in the library name(s).
  4. (Optional) Click the name of a library to view its profile page.

Search for a library by location

  1. Click Libraries in the header. The Libraries screen opens with an auto-generated list of nearby libraries based on your location.
    Or
    Select Libraries from the search field drop-down list and then select Location from the by drop-down list in the search field.
  2. Enter a city name or postal code in the search field. This is an auto-suggest text field. Auto-suggestions for field-appropriate elements start with the first keystroke in the text field.
  3. Select Location from the search index drop-down list.
  4. Click the Search button (Search button) or press <Enter>. Your search result(s) will be listed based on distance from your location, with the closest library listed first.
  5. (Optional) Click the name of a library to view its profile page.

Filter search results

Your library search results can be filtered using the Type of library filter to the right of the search results. Select a library type checkbox to automatically filter your results. You can apply multiple filters to your search results if needed.

Library type filters include:

  • Public
  • Academic
  • Museum or Archives
  • Regional or National
  • Special or Corporate Library
  • Health
  • Law
  • Music
  • Library Network Group
  • Other