WorldCat

WorldCat (https://worldcat.org/) is a mega catalog that allows you to search for books held in libraries around the world. WorldCat can help you find out if a library near you has a book you would like to use. You can use WorldCat to search for books in one library or many libraries at once.

UMass Global does not have a physical library building and therefore cannot provide students with print books. In addition, while the UMass Global Library has an extensive eBook collection, it does not collect every eBook needed for every course. If you would like to try to borrow from a library rather than purchase books for a course and the UMass Global library does not have it, you may be able to use WorldCat to see if it is available at another library near you.

Even if WorldCat does not indicate that your local public library owns a print copy of a book you need, they may be able to obtain a copy for you to borrow through their interlibrary loan services; however be aware that these services can take a week or more, so be sure that you factor the time when making a request. 

Before using WorldCat, check to see if the UMass Global Library has the item you need by following the instructions on the Finding and Downloading eBooks guide. The Searching WorldCat tab on this page provides more information about how to use it.

WorldCat is a useful tool that helps you figure out where you can access books, but you should be aware of its advantages and limitations.

What WorldCat DOES:

• WorldCat connects you to the catalogs of many libraries around the world, so that you can find out if a book you would like to use is available near your location. If you are looking for material to round out your bibliography, WorldCat can help you identify additional useful books that you may not have already found.
• WorldCat allows you to search the catalogs of individual libraries near your location. Sometimes, you can borrow a book from a local library instead of purchasing a copy. 
• WorldCat tells you how many libraries around the world own a book you are looking for. A book that is held by hundreds or thousands of libraries is more likely to be available for loan. If a book is fragile, unique, valuable, rare, and/or held by only a few libraries, you may not be able to access it. 

What WorldCat DOES NOT Do:

• WorldCat does not allow you to download/borrow eBooks. You can only download eBooks from the websites of a public library or college/university when you are a current member of that organization or community, or from the publisher if the item is free or you are willing to pay for it. 
• WorldCat does not allow you to download articles or other eResources. You can only download articles from the websites of a public library or college/university when you are a current member of that organization or community, or from the publisher if the item is free or you are willing to pay for it. Additionally, if you are a guest user in a college or university library, there will be restrictions on your ability to use their databases. You should use UMass Global Library's resources to find articles. The UMass Global Library can obtain many articles and book chapters that we do not already own through our interlibrary loan services.
• WorldCat does not guarantee you access to the library in which a desired book is held. Call ahead to make sure you will be allowed to use the library and ask for their visitor policies and hours.
• WorldCat does not guarantee that a book is available for checkout. A book that appears in a library's holdings may be checked out by someone else, or may have other restrictions for use. Call ahead to verify.
• WorldCat does not connect you to every library. Some libraries do not upload their holdings to WorldCat. If you do not see your library of choice listed when you set your location, contact that library directly for assistance.