Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Google Books has a link to WorldCat

Were you aware that Google Books had a link to the WorldCat database of library holdings?

When you search for a book on Google Books using key words (just like you would search on the web or in images), you get a list of books that contain your search words in the title or in the book text. If you select one of the items in the book list, then you see the digital image of a page from the book that you clicked on.

On the right hand side of this web page, there is a link for "Find this book in a library" Click on that link and you will receive a list of libraries, in order of distance from your location, that has the book available. This information is from the WorldCat database.

If you are going to be researching in a different locale, then you can change the "Location Information" at the top of the page.

For some library entries, you can click on the "Book" link and see the library catalog entry. There is also a link for "Library Information" to find the address, phone number and open hours for that library.

I somehow missed the announcement of this capability - it is really a neat way to find books in digital format and also in print!

2 comments:

Sally J. said...

Randy,

WorldCat is amazing, isn't it? Even if you don't find it in your local library, you might be able to request it via Inter-library loan (ILL). Sometimes there is a small fee for this.

Love this blog, keep up the great work!

-Sally J.
(The Practical Archivist)

Craig Manson said...

I've used this capability a number of times and have been very satisfied with it. I've found books in local and nearby libraries that I'm not sure I otherwise would have known where to find.