Thing #19

WorldCat is a 2.0 type of library catalog produced by OCLC. It uses a FRBR structure to impose order on books and materials. FRBR is a structure which brings cataloging into the 21st century with the concept of using relational databases rather than the traditional 3 card catalog access points.

Patrons including librarians can look at WorldCat and see for one entry (i.e. The Giver), in an instant, all the different authors, formats (Braille, paperback, Internet resources), language, audience, content, and years the book was published. It also breaks down how many theses and dissertations were associated with this book. After you find the resource you're looking for, WorldCat will find it in the libraries closest to you or give you a link to buy it at Amazon, or allow you to preview it through Google Books. WorldCat also links you to Delicious, Facebook, Furl, and many other bookmarking and social networking sites so you can tell others about your great find.

When a teacher needs an unfamiliar resource and is not sure where to start looking, WorldCat would be the place to go. Junior High and High School students could benefit from this tool as well since they have more mobility to look for resources outside their local school library and would be more likely to use Interlibrary Loan. I am definitely bookmarking WorldCat. No more going from library site to library site to find what I need. . . .