{"id":5166,"date":"2023-10-30T11:50:09","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T11:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/?p=5166"},"modified":"2024-02-05T13:38:24","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T13:38:24","slug":"four-ways-worldcat-org-improves-library-visibility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/four-ways-worldcat-org-improves-library-visibility\/","title":{"rendered":"Four ways WorldCat.org improves library visibility"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Just over a year ago, I wrote about how the new WorldCat.org expands the impact of libraries everywhere. I went on to say (with no hesitation) that the redesign and rebuild had been the highlight of my career. Well, I\u2019ve changed my mind.<\/p>\n

Over the past year, we\u2019ve seen how well the site helps people find the information they need in libraries. There\u2019s encouraging data about improved reach, utility, and accessibility. But most of all, we view the launch of the redesigned site not as a \u201cjob completed,\u201d but as inspiration to do even more.<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s the new highlight of my career? The ability of WorldCat.org to serve as an ongoing, growing, centralized platform for library discovery.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Linked data\u2014it\u2019s already part of WorldCat.org<\/h2>\n

I recently heard some misunderstandings about what libraries need to do to transform their cataloging metadata into linked data for discovery on the open web. The truth is simple. If you catalog with us and have a web visibility subscription<\/a>, your records are already published to WorldCat.org as a type of linked data called Schema.org.<\/p>\n

This linked data is what helps make your records discoverable by search engines. It\u2019s not \u201csomething extra\u201d you need to turn on, it doesn\u2019t require an additional procedure, and it doesn\u2019t cost more. And it\u2019s one simple way OCLC is helping to make library linked data usable and consumable by commercial vendors and other organizations both inside and outside the library profession.<\/p>\n

So, if you catalog with us and have a web visibility subscription, your records are automatically shared on the open web, attracting more users to your resources. And new visibility options for cataloging subscribers and small libraries have also made it possible for more libraries to participate.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a library app for that<\/h2>\n

\"screenDid you know there\u2019s a companion mobile app for WorldCat.org? WorldCat Find is available in the United States on the Apple Store<\/a> and Google Play<\/a>. And while the WorldCat.org interface is optimized for mobile, we know from user studies that many people prefer apps.<\/p>\n

Both interfaces include a new feature currently in beta\u2014book recommendations generated by artificial intelligence<\/a>. While the experience is a little different, the core features are the same on the website and in the app. Essentially, it uses AI to generate recommendations based on readers\u2019 favorite subjects, authors, and titles. No personal information is exchanged through the API with our app partner.<\/p>\n

Compelling library content and promotion<\/h2>\n

WorldCat.org excels at providing information about specific items and authors, although most people start their searches based on topics. To help drive more interest and engagement to library resources, we\u2019ve created topic pages<\/a> that include lists from subject matter experts and library workers. In fact, we collaborated with many organizations and libraries to create specific lists including: The National Women\u2019s History Alliance<\/a>, The National Audubon Society<\/a>, the Culinary Institute of America<\/a>, and the University of California Los Angeles<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As part of the launch of the new site earlier this year, we introduced a promotional campaign in the United States designed to help connect millions of people to libraries\u2014and the results are exciting. More than 17 million people potentially saw an ad while scrolling on social media and an additional 4.6 million while searching Google.<\/p>\n

The ads encouraged people to visit WorldCat.org in order to explore many libraries all in one search. And to broaden the reach of these efforts, we invested in consumer-focused social media accounts on Pinterest<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, and X<\/a> (formerly Twitter). In just the last year, more than 500 posts have generated:<\/p>\n