What is the primary function of WorldCat?

• A. To browse the open web
• B. To locate which libraries hold a given item
• C. To provide full text of articles
• D. To manage personal bookmarks

Answer: (B)

WorldCat is a global catalog of library holdings, and its primary function is to help you locate which libraries hold a given item. By searching titles, authors, or ISBNs, you can see which libraries around you own the item and what formats are available, often with options to request a loan or check availability. This makes it a powerful starting point for finding how you can access a resource through a library network.

It’s not meant for browsing the open web, since it focuses on library collections rather than online pages. It doesn’t itself provide the full text of articles—availability and access depend on the owning library’s subscriptions or publisher sites. And it isn’t a tool for managing personal bookmarks.