Comparing Prospector & WorldCat

Prospector is an online public access catalog (OPAC) combining the collections of twenty-three libraries across Colorado and Wyoming. The Colorado Library Courier (CLC) provides the delivery of the materials to participating libraries. Users of this catalog can search for and order materials that are not found in their library system. Delivery of materials is free to the user and usually arrives in a week. This is a great resource for students interested in saving money on textbooks. It is important to know that if you decide to order your textbook through Prospector the maximum checkout time (for books) is six weeks so plan accordingly.

WorldCat is a large database that provides access to materials in libraries all over the world. It is the product of an organization called Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). OCLC is a library cooperative consisting of libraries in 171 countries. Library users are able to find and request materials from libraries all over the Country and in most cases it is free. Sometimes there is a small fee involved if the item is located outside of the United States to cover shipping costs. You will receive a notification of the fee before the request is processed. Some library systems including the Denver Public Library limit the amount of requests a patron can make through WorldCat so use it only as a last resort.

If you are interested in more information here are some helpful links:
• Access from Westminster Law Library website
• Access from Penrose Library website
• CliC
• OCLC

Written by Brooke Jennings, Law Librarian Fellow