Libraryman
Aug 7th, 2006

Open WorldCat Search

Oh boy, oh boy! A very cool step towards getting it “more right” is now public in beta format. You can add the WorldCat search box to your site too if you like! It’ll look like this:

More info here.

6 Responses to “Open WorldCat Search”

  1. # Daniel Cornwallon 07 Aug 2006 at 6:38 pm

    Already added to my new blog. Also provided a very quick review.

    Slightly disturbed at having to obtain a user license for a search box, but not enough to not get the search box. Still, I think just having a licensing agreement will slow the adoption of this fantastic tool.

  2. # Nathan Rinneon 08 Aug 2006 at 9:17 am

    but what happens when someone finds it, drives to get it (35 miles? that’s not too bad)… and then can’t check it out?

    As others have said… this could backfire.

    This sight NEEDS something that help everyday people easily discover whether or not checking something out is an option.

  3. # Michael Porteron 08 Aug 2006 at 12:33 pm

    Daniel: To be honest, I hadn’t given that idea much thought. An interesting point though.

    Nathan: An interesting point also! Adding shelf status and item availability info to the main results page could have potential here perhaps? One problem here is that not all ILS (library cataloging and circulation systems) have that deep level item info linked into Open WorldCat. This means that sort of result just wouldn’t be there for every library. Perhaps a phone number for the library could be listed if the shelf status info for an item weren’t available?

  4. # Sara Pon 08 Aug 2006 at 12:39 pm

    Cool! I tried it and it recognized my public library without entering
    a ZIP code or anything. Excellent!

    But I don’t understand why OCLC forces registration to use the code -
    and therefore promote their service! - to
    Put the WorldCat search box on your site. Why not just let that
    code live free? They would probably see more use and less consternation
    from grumpy people like me.

  5. # Daleon 08 Aug 2006 at 5:50 pm

    Did Nathan not realize that by clicking on the library name in a results list you are directed to that library’s site where at most I was clicking on you could immediately see if the book was in and reserve it?

  6. # Gerieon 10 Aug 2006 at 12:27 pm

    I think that the potential benefits outweigh the kinks that will be worked out…Now people gotta spread the word and use it…