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Customers can now search for library items via Google and Yahoo Thanks to a Library Services and Technology (LSTA) grant from the California State Library, as Californians search on Google or Yahoo for general information they can do a simultaneous library holdings search. The service is called Open WorldCat and is the result of research an Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) team began in 2004. OCLC researchers’ idea was to make the OCLC WorldCat database of library holdings available via the web search engines people use every day. The $1 million dollar LSTA grant from the California State Library to Califa, a membership-based service bureau for all California libraries, will enhance public library participation. Because of the Open WorldCat web-based search tool, citizens throughout the state will enjoy having an alternate avenue for finding California library resources. As Californians use Open WorldCat’s familiar search engines, they will feel “at home” as they seek items in California libraries. Library customers will also value the convenience of reserving items from their local library’s catalog via Google or Yahoo by simply using their local library cards. The California State Library’s partnership with Califa will: • make local and regional library resources more visible/accessible by zip code search in Google and Yahoo; • subsidize OCLC FirstSearch WorldCat subscriptions for at least one year for all public libraries in the state; • catch up on library holdings in FirstSearch WorldCat for public libraries throughout California via no charge batch loading for one year; • create a California Libraries Catalog via FirstSearch based on a subset of OCLC WorldCat. Library holdings that have been added over the years to OCLC WorldCat are now available through Google and Yahoo. Additional availability through other search engines is in negotiation by OCLC. According to Pam Bailey, Director of the OCLC Western Service Center, the hit rate will improve throughout the year as the batch load updates continue. Bailey says, “By continuing to add libraries’ holdings to WorldCat through batch loading and other means, California libraries are increasing the likelihood users in their communities can find the valuable information libraries have to offer.” More information for California’s Public Libraries In order for the California libraries to be searchable via Google and Yahoo, libraries need a subscription to OCLC FirstSearch WorldCat, one of the things for which the LSTA grant is paying. Updating the holdings to this version of WorldCat is the mechanism used to get the information to Google and Yahoo. To find out more about the California Libraries Catalog and eligible FirstSearch subscriptions, contact Califa at 866 209 5439. To find out
more about California Libraries Catalog training as well as Open WorldCat,
contact OCLC Western Service Center at 800-854-5753.
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