McGill Library moves towards a single library catalogue May 1, 2019

Last summer, McGill Library upgraded the existing WorldCat Local online catalogue and search tool to its successor WorldCat Discovery. The final stage of the upgrade currently underway will amalgamate all back-end applications needed to manage a library, including acquisitions, circulation, resource sharing, and a single-search discovery interface for library users. As a result of this single system implementation, the classic catalogue will no longer be available as of May 1, 2019. All materials in the classic catalogue are available in WorldCat Discovery.

The new system:

• offers a seamless expansion of searching from McGill Library to BCI Libraries to Libraries Worldwide
• has a responsive design - is viewable on mobile devices
• is the primary source of catalogue records for the majority of North American institutions
• offers Course Reserves as a seamless module within the discovery platform
• offers a more modern process for renewals and holds

What are some of the changes users can expect? 

• Users can create lists of up to 100 items. Users will be able to migrate old lists into the new system.
• Call numbers will be displayed in the brief results list without an extra click to view availability.
• There will be simplified loan periods and more user-friendly labels for branch/shelving location information.
• Users will be able to limit by branch using a facet or limit a search to a branch.

Questions? Contact us at discovery.library [at] mcgill.ca.