How many WorldCat records are searched through WorldCat.org?
All records in the WorldCat database are available to be searched on WorldCat.org. However, search results do not necessarily return all available matching items, and when a user generates a list of holdings for an item in a particular geographic area, the listings will not necessarily display all libraries in the defined region that actually have the item. This is due to the requirement that WorldCat-cataloging libraries subscribe to FirstSearch in exchange for exposure of their holdings on WorldCat.org and partner sites such as Google and Yahoo!. Search results may not display all matching items in the complete WorldCat database because some items, while being cataloged in WorldCat, are not actually held by any of the WorldCat libraries that presently meet the requirements for Web exposure of holdings. (In addition, some items cataloged in WorldCat may not be presently held by any WorldCat libraries at all, regardless of whether they meet the requirement.) A user viewing the display
