[Updated 9/17/24] OCLC First Search Cancellation and Alternative Resources

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Kimberly Kennedy

Stony Brook University Libraries has canceled our subscription to OCLC FirstSearch effective 7/1/2024. This decision was not made lightly and was influenced by several critical factors, including outdated technology, rising costs, and notably low usage by SBU researchers (7%).

The Libraries recognize that access to reliable and current resources is essential for the success of SBU’s academic pursuits, and we understand the frustration and inconvenience this decision may cause. It became clear that the technology underpinning FirstSearch could no longer justify the escalating costs. Continuing this service would have necessitated reductions in other vital areas, such as monographs and serials, which we wanted to avoid.

FirstSearch is a tool for searching WorldCat, but SBU users can still access and use WorldCat to discover resources available at SBU and other libraries while filtering by specific editions, formats, and locations. WorldCat also allows users to create and add items to lists, generate citations, and use facets to narrow search criteria:

Much of FirstSearch’s functionality is still available through WorldCat. Users can still search the titles and specific editions/formats held at SBU and other libraries. While WorldCat defaults to a basic search, users can still start an advanced search by clicking the icon to the right of the search box:

The advanced search options allow for searching by title, keywords, author, identifiers, sources, OCLC numbers, and more, while also allowing for date ranges, extensive format options, and language preferences.

The record pages for titles on WorldCat provide the full bibliographic record as well as a list of libraries who own the title and their relative distance from your location, which can be updated in the upper right hand corner of the screen. With an account, you can set locations as defaults and choose favorite libraries to customize your searches.

In the record, WorldCat defaults to a “clustered” view of formats and editions, but users can expand these to mirror FirstSearch’s default “unclustered” view by clicking the options next to “Filter by”, which provides a list of all editions of the title and their library locations:

WorldCat also supports searching in other languages, which can be changed at the bottom of the search page.

FirstSearch allows users to search databases such as ERIC, GPO, and MEDLINE, which SBU retains subscriptions to. To search in these databases directly, users can go to the library’s A-Z Databases List to find links to these resources.

Users can also search for full text results in all library databases through the library catalog’s “everything” SEARCH, or filter to specific databases by using the filter option “Content Provider” on the left to select sources. Our library catalog is also a great way to search for resources available at SBU and other SUNY and CUNY schools.

A small percentage (7%) of interlibrary loan requests originated through OCLC FirstSearch. The Libraries continue to support interlibrary loan requests through the library catalog and ILLiad. For physical books held by other SUNY and CUNY schools, users can place a resource sharing request directly in the library catalog. To do this, users must first sign in from the upper right hand corner, then search for the title in SEARCH. In the search results, items eligible for resource sharing will have the option to “Place a request”.

Once selected, users can choose a library location to pick up their request and will be notified when it is available for check out.

Other ILL requests, such as for articles or books not held by SUNY or CUNY, can still be placed through ILLiad. More information about resource sharing and interlibrary loan requests can be found here.

Your feedback during this transition is invaluable to us. We are dedicated to maintaining the quality and reliability of our resources and appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these changes. Please reach out to LibraryERMS@stonybrook.edu with any questions or concerns.