Template talk:WorldCat

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Regional versions[edit source]

This template is fine but it doesn't work with regional WorldCat/OCLC such as Summit.worldcat.org

Books, etc listed in Summit more often than not are not listed in general WorldCat/OCLC.

Wallowa County, Oregon shows a lot of records not in the standard one but limited and found only in the Summit. dsammy 05:29, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

I understand your query, but I have compared some of the results that are produced and found whether the summit sub-domain is used or not does not affect the main results returned. For example
and
Each pair return the same catalog item, the difference being that the summit link provides Get this item results for locations in Oregon or Washington. Not all users of the wiki will be researching Oregon or Washington from Oregon or Washington. --Steve 16:22, 13 August 2009 (UTC)
Big difference, you didn't follow through, more libraries listed in Summit than in global and not only that, giving exact and very clear info where to find them. dsammy 16:36, 13 August 2009 (UTC)
In that case I suggest adding a domain parameter to the template with the default set to www, but allow the possibility of changing the sub-domain if needed. --Steve 17:01, 13 August 2009 (UTC)
Good suggestion . . . I have already started taking a look at that (what was that saying, two great minds think alike). I will be doing more research on this and feel discussion would be in order for this. Thomas Lerman 17:21, 13 August 2009 (UTC)
From what I have seen in my readings, I question the value of using the regional versions of WorldCat. It seems the main purpose of using WorldCat is to find libraries in my area that hold the book, not find libraries in another area. I am adding this to be discussed in today's meeting. Thomas Lerman 18:19, 1 September 2009 (UTC)
According to Community Meeting Agenda 6 October 2009, we will not be supporting "regional" versions of WorldCat. The template has been updated to follow this consensus. Thomas Lerman 00:10, 7 October 2009 (UTC)

Using the template[edit source]

Tried first two methods, both failed miserably. They linked to template instead of the item in the OCLC. dsammy 07:06, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

I would like to find out more about the region version of WorldCat. Is there a website that has the various regional WorldCats listed? What failed miserably? I do not understand your last two sentences. Maybe include examples, please. Some discussion started here. Thomas Lerman 14:59, 13 August 2009 (UTC)
Unfortunately, I found Summit by accident while searching for books through Google.
The reason your attempts to use {{WorldCat}} failed. First you typed the name of the template with a lower case "c". Apart from the first letter, article and templates are case sensitive. Your second attempt used the {{tlx}} template which is used in wikitext to help display the code to type when using a template. --Steve 16:06, 13 August 2009 (UTC)
I followed the instructions and they failed, both with and withouth t1. Both failed ones linked to template rather than the OCLC record. I did try 3rd and it failed. I see Steve got it right somehow.
DSammy, how about examples? The {{tlx}} template would not be used when accessing templates, it is just used for displaying what a template looks like. All templates are case sensitive. The examples in the {{WorldCat}} template were copied and pasted from what is displayed, so I do not know how they could have "failed" for you. Could you please provide examples? Thomas Lerman 16:56, 13 August 2009 (UTC)
If you review the edit history of Wallowa County, Oregon you will see the Dsammy's failed attempts to use {{WorldCat}} --Steve 18:19, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

After the meeting today, I've spent awhile studying and using the WorldCat template. As you suspected, Thomas, I DO like it. Since I am creating many pages that are similar, with similar bibliographies, I use a lot of cut and paste. But I can see that when a unique page is created with a unique bibliography, the template would save time and be less likely to have typos in it, assuming I get the number right! Are you looking for mare specific input? What would you like to know from me? Jbparker 23:48, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Editions[edit source]

Currently unless {{{2}}} is either given as isbn or issn the word editions is added to the output URL. Is this the intended outcome? From the links given in the notes section, I assume not, but maybe they've not been updated. --Steve 18:11, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

If I recall correctly, different editions of a book or magazine would have a different ISBN. In any case, editions is not allowed in the URL for ISBN or ISSN. So, that is the intent of the template. Thomas Lerman 18:04, 1 September 2009 (UTC)

Adding the disp parameter[edit source]

I have added a parameter named disp that can be used to control the link text, as is available for the {{FHL}} template. This was done in response to an email request from Lisa McBride. --Steve (talk| contribs) 11:58, 2 September 2011 (UTC)

I have found this functionality very helpful.  We have some users of the wiki who are not familiar with WorldCat.  In this display I put the words "Other Libraries (WorldCat)" to indicate we are taking the user away from the FHL catalog and pointing them to other libraries who may also hold the same material. The phrase is short enough that I think it won't clutter up the wiki, but it will help newer users. Lisa McBride

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I may start using this template now. There is a rumor someone wants to do away with this option. If this parameter goes away I would probably go back and manually remove this template everywhere I could find it because I really believe it is confusing to most of our readers who have no clue what "WorldCat and a long number" could possibly mean. DiltsGD 18:21, 6 September 2011 (UTC)

Displaying the WorldCat item number[edit source]

Thanks for the wonderful work you do on our templates, Steve.

I'll admit that I'm not yet willing to use the WorldCat template because it displays the WorldCat item number, which I don't believe communicates to the reader. I still prefer to truncate the URL instead.

Charlene Pipkin 13:55, 6 September 2011 (UTC)

I have avoided this template precisely because it traditionally displayed what I believed was a long, boring, meaningless-to-readers, and confusing number. So what I did instead was create an external link to the WorldCat page where I could control what the readers saw--and I made sure they were not seeing that number. I have added about 150 links to WorldCat and NEVER used the template because I so viscerally dislike showing the number. Thank you for fixing it so we can now control what the readers see by using disp= parameter. DiltsGD 18:21, 6 September 2011 (UTC)

I love the new template with the disp=. We appreciate you so much and the speed that you assist us. Dianekay 18:45, 6 September 2011 (UTC)

My bad! I see now that the current template does NOT display the WorldCat item number. My apologies. And thanks for creating a template that accommodates that problem.!Charlene Pipkin 18:55, 6 September 2011 (UTC)

Request we replace the default display of WorldCat item numbers[edit source]

I suggest we replace the default display of the item numbers because it is REALLY CONFUSING! Most readers are not familiar with the term WorldCat (sounds a bit like a snowmobile) and the horrible number certainly means nothing to a reader. I realize this is an awkward request because of heritage use of the template. But leaving this really confusing word and number is a serious disservice to readers.

We need to revise the template to automatically by default display something more meaningful such as At other libraries (WorldCat). in order to replace the display of that repugnant item number. The sooner displays of those item numbers go, the better! From now on, where ever I come across the WorldCat item number displayed I will change it whether the template gets fixed or not. DiltsGD 18:21, 6 September 2011 (UTC)

I also think this new template is a really good idea. WorldCat is not a common website for genealogists and some think it's an actual library. Having the freedom to add "At other libraries" in the template makes us that more accurate and helpful - and hopefully they will actually click on the link. I support the change and updated template. BatsonDL 20:37, 6 September 2011 (UTC)
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