The WorldCat database is the OCLC Online Union Catalog. It is one of several FirstSearch
databases. Worldcat contains more than 57 million records describing items owned by libraries
around the world. Click on WorldCat from the alphabetical list of
Research Databases available through
the Library Catalog, or choose WorldCat from the pull-down menu of "Links to Other
Services/Resources" on any of the Library Catalog pages.
The types of materials covered in WorldCat include books, journals, maps, sound recordings,
films, videotapes, DVDs, manuscripts, computer programs, and other items. It does not include
information on individual articles, stories in journals, magazines, newspapers, or book chapters.
Each record also links you to a list of libraries that own the item. WorldCat is updated daily.
OCLC WorldCat is a very large database. If search strategies are not precise, the search could
take a long time. If you choose to cancel a search in progress, you will be disconnected from
WorldCat and will need to reconnect by choosing WorldCat again from the database list.
The
Advanced Search mode is the default option for finding material in WorldCat. There
are two other search options available:
Basic and
Expert. In order to search these other options, click on the word
Basic or
Expert, and then begin your search. An
Advanced Search permits you to enter information using a variety of fields. These
include:
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Subject
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Title
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Author
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Standard number
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Series
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Accession number
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Subject headings
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Publication place
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Publisher
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To combine your search terms or phrases select a
Boolean operator
(AND, OR, NOT) from the drop-down menus. The default operator is
AND.
*Type + at the end of a word to search for the word and its plural (s or es only) or possessive
endings.
For further explanations and searching tips, click on the word
Help.
WorldCat also allows the user the option to search for materials in other related databases. You
can choose one of the following databases listed in the drop-down
"Search In" menu.
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ArticleFirst
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ContentsFirst
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GPO
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NetFirst
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Proceedings
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WorldAlmanac
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Note: If materials that are located in WorldCat are not available at
any of the Case or OhioLINK libraries, MSASS students, staff and faculty can request materials
through
Interlibrary Loan. For
further assistance, ask at the Harris Library Reference or Circulation desk.
