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WorldCat Local: Searching tips

We've loaded this guide with searching tips. Read extensive descriptions of WorldCat Local features. Learn what the Working Group is doing.

Searching is easy!

Don't fret too much.  By default this is Google-like (ANDing all of your terms).  You can easily narrow your results using the facets on the left.  You can easily re-sort your results.

OCLC's handout on searching

Here is OCLC's handout on searching.  We could make something similar showing U.K. examples.

Just the right word

Most WorldCat records are indexed using Library of Congress subject headings.  Browse the LC thesaurus to find the authority terms.

Searching scope

Your searching universe

  • Libraries Worldwide (includes U.K.)
  • Faster ILL (the libraries in our Southeastern Research courier network plus CRL; includes U.K.)
  • U.K. only

Which databases to search?

By default you are searching WorldCat.org.  You can add many more, delete WorldCat.org, etc.

Use the Advanced Search to make your selections.

Searching fields

OCLC has created a new keyword index in WorldCat Local that should increase the accuracy of results for keyword searches. We would like to enlist your help in trying this new index when you encounter incorrect hits using the current keyword index.
The new keyword search index is available in WorldCat Local now. To use it, place the label “f2:” in front of keyword search terms. An example is f2: prohibition and women. Because we are currently testing the “f2” index, you will not see the “f2” search label appear within the Advanced Search drop-down box of offered search indexes.

The Advanced search form will list all the fields available to you.  You get more fields, more precision, when you search fewer databases.  Here are some of the fields available for searching in the WorldCat database.  (The WorldCat.org database has fewer searching fields.)

Phrase searching is also available, e.g, se=advances in libr*

  • kw: Keyword
  • au: Author
  • ti: Title
  • se: Series Title
  • ut: Uniform Title
  • su: Subject
  • lc: Library of Congress Classification Number
  • gn: Gov Doc Number (omit spaces and punctuation)
  • am: Access Method (Internet URL; omit http://; use spaces instead of periods or slashes)
  • pb: Publisher
  • pl: Publisher Location
  • yr: Year of Publication
  • yy: Year 2 of Publication (book reprint, periodical death, etc.)
  • nt: Notes
  • nb: ISBN
  • li: library code
  • L5: union list symbol, e.g., kl#n or nepu
  • no: Accession Number (OCLC number)

More details.

WorldCat Local Working Group

uky.worldcat.org

Working Group members:

  • Lybarger, Kathryn
  • Vickery, Kelly
  • Davis, Frank
  • Jan Carver
  • Laura Whayne
  • Beth Kraemer

"The group is charged to review WorldCat Local’s current configuration for possible enhancements based on OCLC’s continuing product development; to recommend a process for changing settings, adding new resources and for communicating those changes going forward; to research the possibility of participating in the WorldCat knowledge base for improved resource sharing of electronic journals; and to conduct informational sessions focused on the capabilities of the WorldCat Local discovery system."