By Marilyn Graves

Did you know? WorldCat helps avoid shipping charges. WORLDCAT links to owning libraries of searched items.

There have been several training sessions on using WorldCat for verifying ILL requests. Many of the requests received by the ILL Centers indicate that the item requested is in WorldCat, so we know many libraries are using this tool.

One question that comes up is about the location of the books and the number of libraries holding the book. Libraries that want to locate and borrow items in Massachusetts can find them in WorldCat. This could avoid shipping charges if the item can be sent through Statewide Delivery.

After a search is made, it is possible to see what libraries hold a title by clicking on the line "Libraries worldwide: 00". Below is a citation from WorldCat showing that there are 36 libraries that hold the title, "Langstroth on the hive & honey bee". Clicking on this link will show the names of the libraries and what state they are in. This is especially valuable to see if any libraries in Massachusetts own the item.

******************citation from WorldCat***********************
Langstroth on the hive & honey bee,
Author: Langstroth, L. L. 1810-1895.; Dadant, Charles,; Dadant, C. P.
Publication: Hamilton, Ill., The American bee journal, 1922
Document: English : Book
Libraries Worldwide: 36
More Like This: Search for versions with same title and author
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If anyone has any questions on the use of WorldCat for ILL please call either Regional Ill Center in Andover or in Danvers.