WorldCat searching for student assistants

Summary: Instructions for students helping the CMS team to identify possible copy for non-Roman-language materials.

WorldCat interface options

Students have two options for searching WorldCat:

(1) www.worldcat.org
The public-facing WorldCat catalog.

(2) FirstSearch 
A more advanced search interface available via MSU Libraries subscription (click the link in the catalog record to access).

Finding "copy"

Libraries share catalog records between institutions via the WorldCat database. The term "copy cataloging" refers to locating an existing record in the database that matches the resource in hand. A matching or related record is called "copy." You are helping MSUL identify copy for resources that we are unable to search for ourselves (since searching requires language skill). 

A separate catalog record is required for each separate edition of a title. A new edition is a work that has been revised or changed in some substantial way. This is not to be confused with a new printing of a work, which is just a reproduction of an edition.

In searching, your priority is to find a record in WorldCat that matches your exact version of the resource (with the exception of printing dates). If no exact match is found, your next priority is to identify any related copy and record information about the discrepancies between your resource and the copy record that would help a cataloger derive from or update that record.

Record review

Use this Google form to record information for each resource you work on. 

1. Search for matching copy in the WorldCat database.
   1. Typically, searching by ISBN is the most expedient. 
   2. If this is unavailable, start with a title search.
   3. If no results are returned, try more general keyword searching, searching by author, etc. 
      
      
2. If no results are found, there are two options, depending on the nature of your project (consult with your supervisor):
   1. Mark the resource as having no identifiable copy in the Google form and record only the following:
      1. Title 
      2. Place of publication
      3. Publisher's name
      4. Date
   2. Complete the entire Google form for the resource.
      
      
3. If matching or related copy is found:
   1. Complete the top portion of the Google form, through "Notes about identified copy"
   2. Use the remainder of the form to record any discrepancies as needed (i.e., if you found copy for a related edition, and the only difference is the edition statement and date of publication, use those fields in the form and leave the others blank)

If you're not sure about something, feel free to email autumn@msu.edu with questions at any point!