WorldCat Local

Just what is WorldCat Local? After just a few months of library school, I was able to deign the use from the name before even researching this tool. WorldCat Local is a system for libraries to use to make sure that their local materials bubble up to the surface first when searching WorldCat.

To further clarify what this important tool is, I'll summarize my findings on a number of websites. WorldCat Local was launched by OCLC in 2007. A pilot program in April of that year in 11 libraries allowed OCLC to gauge the effectiveness of the tool and determine a production schedule (see this OCLC Press Release). The libraries included in the program exemplified many different kinds of library-related institutions, including school libraries, university libraries, public libraries and museum collections. The concept behind the product is that the items most accessible to the patron are given priority, whereas other items come after the library's holdings. The non-local materials may then be accessed by Interlibrary Loan. This was rolled out during an upgrade of WorldCat.org that included the Web 2.0 features outlined in my previous blog posting, as well as the inclusion of 30 million journal citations. The upgrade, when coupled with the rollout of WorldCat Local, meant that OCLC was now a competitor in the online catalog business with the likes of Ex Libris and Endeca (see this WorldCat Local Article).

Another implication of WorldCat Local is that the user will now use WorldCat rather than any other online catalog that was previously in use. In the case of UW-Madison, this would be as if we completely replaced MadCat with the WorldCat Local search box on the libraries page. All searches, including UW-System searches, would be done via MadCat. This innovative system could have come at the right time for many libraries that wanted to upgrade their older online systems in exchange for something newer and better.

I found a guide online for a University using WorldCat Local for DeSales University. It was interesting to see that the tabbed WorldCat search box was maintained, but that there was a new dropdown box below the search. It allows patrons to limit to search only the university's holdings, or "Libraries Worldwide." The guide states that careful searching will be needed to assure that all possible electronic journal holdings are found. It is likely that some databases do not allow their content to be entered in to WorldCat to be searched.

I was able to download a quickstart guide that helped me better understand what a library going through the process of implementing WorldCat Local would be going through to prepare themselves for the integration of the platform. My thought would be that there would need to be at least one full-time technical staff person on board to work with the batch processing of records and to help update serials information. Batch processing is when a script is run to help the computer or network system process large amounts of information without the need of human interaction. Many times, this can include changing file formats, renaming files, adding data to the files, and uploading to a certain place. Just because it can be set up and run does not mean that it is a simple task that can be done quickly. It would probably take weeks if the library was not already associated with WorldCat online. Another step that would be time consuming would be the addition of the OCLC number, if that was not already part of your ILS. A library may have to contact the vendor of their other software in their ILS or a coder to get this field entered and working. Even libraries that are already online with WorldCat are recommended to update their files before going over to WorldCat Local.


My study of WorldCat Local brought up some questions for me. It is clear that OCLC charges for some of their services, including WorldCat Local. This makes sense, since the coding and implementation of a system such as WorldCatLocal cannot be cheap. OCLC is a non-profit, however. They are also helping libraries all over the world. Having worked for a non-profit, I'm intrigued as to the inner workings of the OCLC and how much they are able to charge per library, as well as the proceedings in foreign countries. Of course, they are unable to list their prices on the website. How do they decide what rate to charge? It likely depends on the size, location, membership status, and depth of the collection, though I'm not certain. Another question I asked myself was, how does OCLC ensure the acceptance and uptake rate of their services? Are they cheaper than their competitors, due to their non-profit status? I will continue to study this and other interesting concepts in my blog.