Learn how to set the default scope and sort order for search results in WorldCat Discovery.
Choose the default Scoping Level
Note: The initial selection for Scoping Level is Libraries WorldWide.
Cataloging libraries will see their holdings first, followed by the holdings of other libraries. You can leave this setting unchanged, or change the setting to show only results from your library by selecting Your Library as the sort order. Holdings from other libraries will not be included in the search results. Libraries without a cataloging subscription will see search results based on relevancy with the most relevant items first.
In WorldCat Discovery, users have the option to limit results to items held by your institution, partnering groups, and those held by Libraries Worldwide. The user has the option of overriding this setting.
- Libraries Worldwide (results will include both items held by your institution and items held by libraries worldwide)
- Your Library (results are limited to items held by your institution)
Choose the default sort on search results
Cataloging libraries will see their holdings first, followed by libraries worldwide. You can leave this setting unchanged, or change the setting to pure relevance by selecting Best Match as the sort order. Libraries without a cataloging subscription will see search results based on relevancy with the most relevant items first. Users can change the sort order after a search if desired.
You may define how search results are sorted by default when initially displayed. A user may change this setting to view other sort options, but every time a search result is initially displayed, the default sort setting will always be selected. Choose your default sort level from the list.
Note: The WorldCat Local default sort is no longer supported by WorldCat Discovery.
| Sort option |
Behavior |
| Best Match |
- Blends boosts on Title, Author, Subject and Abstract, while considering word order and position.
- Prefers recent over older materials and popular over rare materials with boosts on Publication Date and Worldwide Holdings.
- Prefers materials from local and group collections, boosting those over materials from other libraries worldwide.
|
| Recency |
Shares all features of the Best Match sort except that it dramatically boosts more recently published materials. Recency demands more recent material. |
| Library |
Shares all features of the Best Match sort except that it dramatically boosts materials from local and group collections. Library demands local collections over group and group over worldwide. |
| Author (A to Z) |
Sorts by special characters or numbers in the first name, then A to Z by last name.
|
| Date (Newest) |
Sorts chronologically by publication year with newest items listed first.
|
| Date (Oldest) |
Sorts chronologically by publication year with oldest items listed first. |
| Most Widely Held |
Presents an "unclustered" view of search results with an emphasis on Worldwide Holdings in a blend of Date, Title, and Author. Use this sort option to view best results for interlibrary loan requests. |
| Title |
Sorts by special characters, then alphabetically by Title. Only the article "the" is ignored. |
