WRS -- WorldCat

This week's spotlight is not specifically science-related at all, but I think it will be a big help to anyone doing research. I am speaking of WorldCat. WorldCat is the public face of OCLC (Online Computer Library Center), the primary clearinghouse for libraries in the US and Canada. WorldCat allows you to search the catalogued holdings, including rare books and manuscripts, of all OCLC member libraries worldwide, which includes most of the libraries in the US and Canada, as well as libraries in other parts of the world including Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Africa.

The advanced search allows up to three terms combinable by AND, OR, or NOT in up to 30 fields including title, author, corporate author, series title, material type, publisher, and ISSN/ISBN. Search results can also be limited by date range, language, and material type, such as monographs, serials, audiovisual, etc. The records give the complete bibliographic information, and contain links to the libraries that own the item, as well as links to alternate editions.

It is an excellent resource for identifying books, verifying citations, identifying alternate editions or publication runs, and determining the closest library that holds the material.