WorldCat facts for kids
WorldCat is a huge online list that shows you what books, movies, and other items are available in over 70,000 libraries around the world. These libraries are located in more than 170 countries!
WorldCat was created by a group called the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). The OCLC is like a big team of libraries working together. They also help keep WorldCat updated.
How WorldCat Started
In the 1970s, the OCLC began as a computer system for just 54 colleges in Ohio, USA. But it quickly grew much bigger! Soon, it became an international network, connecting libraries all over the world.
In 1979, the first library from Canada and the first library from another country joined the OCLC network. This was a big step towards making WorldCat a global resource.
Important Dates for WorldCat
The online catalog we now call WorldCat first went live on August 26, 1971. Since then, many libraries have joined and added their collections. Here are some key moments:
- 1975 – Library and Archives Canada started adding its records.
- 1978 – The Koninklijke Bibliotheek (National Library of the Netherlands) joined.
- 1985 – The British Library began adding its records.
- 1987 – Libraries from National Library of Scotland, National Library of Wales, and National Central Library, Taiwan started contributing.
- 1991 – Staff from the National Library of China helped add Chinese books. The National Library of Turkey also became a member.
- 1992 – The National Library of Australia and National and University Library of Iceland began sharing their collections.
- 1995 – The National Library of the Czech Republic joined.
- 1997 – The National Library of New Zealand started contributing.
- 1998 – The National Library of Ireland began adding items.
- 1999 – The National Diet Library of Japan, National Library of Lithuania, and National Library of South Africa all started adding their records.
- 2002 – The Singapore National Union Catalog was added.
- 2003 – The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek, the Library of Congress, and OCLC agreed to work on a special system called the Virtual International Authority File. The Chilean Directorate of Libraries, Archives, and Museums also began contributing.
- 2004 – The Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library of France) joined.
- 2005 – The National Library of Finland and the Iraqi National Library and Archive started adding their items.
- 2006 – The German National Library added 4 million new records. The Dutch Union Catalog was also added.
- 2007 – The National Library of Mexico, Swiss National Library, and Kungliga biblioteket (National Library of Sweden) all added their collections.
- 2008 – Libraries from National Library Service, Barbados, National Library of Israel, National Library of Spain, Royal Library of Denmark, and Danish Bibliographic Centre joined.
- 2009 – The National and University Library of Slovenia began contributing.
- 2010 – The National Library of Serbia started adding records.
- 2012 – The National Library of Norway began adding its collection.
See also
In Spanish: WorldCat para niños
