WorldCat Discovery release notes, 16 April 2025
Release Date: April 16, 2025
Introduction
This release of WorldCat Discovery includes the following enhancements as well as bug fixes:
- Improve hold workflows by configuring fulfillment date requirements on the place hold form
- Service Configuration pages updated to remove obsolete settings
Many of these enhancements are the direct result of your feedback.
New features and enhancements
Improve hold workflows by configuring fulfillment date requirements on the place hold form
Overview
Libraries can now require patrons to enter a pick-up date when placing a hold request, helping staff prioritize time-sensitive requests and better manage hold queues. A new configuration setting controls whether the pick-up date field is required or optional.
Details
New configuration setting allows libraries to make pick-up dates required or optional on the place hold form.
When required pick-up dates is enabled:
- The "I need this for specific dates" option is pre-selected
- Patrons must enter a "From" and "To" date before submitting a request.
When required pick-up dates is disabled:
- The "I need this for specific dates" option is not pre-selected.
- Date fields remain optional, maintaining the current behavior.
Configuration
By default, this setting is disabled, meaning patrons are not required to enter pick-up dates unless the library enables it. It can be enabled in Service Configuration:
WorldCat Discovery and WorldCat Local > Place Hold/Request Buttons > For items owned by OCLC WMS Library
Visit Place Hold/Request Buttons for additional information and workflows.
Service Configuration pages updated to remove obsolete settings
Overview
Two pages in Service Configuration, Local and Enhanced Content and Full Text and Open Access Links, have been updated to remove obsolete settings and improve the visual layout. These changes help streamline configuration without impacting functionality.
Details
Local and Enhanced Content page
The Local Data Visibility setting has been removed to eliminate duplication. This setting can be managed under:
Item Details Settings > Select data sources > Local Bib Data.
If you previously used the old setting, the equivalent setting has already been enabled automatically. No action is required. You can access this page here:
Service Configuration > WorldCat Discovery and WorldCat Local > Local and Enhanced Content
Current view:
New view:
Visit Local and Enhanced Content for additional information and workflows.
Full Text and Open Access Links page
The WorldCat Local Detailed Record section has been removed, as WorldCat Local has been deprecated. No action is required. You can access this page here:
Service Configuration > WorldCat Discovery and WorldCat Local > Full Text and Open Access Links
Current view:
New view:
You may notice minor visual updates on both pages. These styling changes do not affect functionality.
Visit Full Text and Open Access Links for additional information and workflows.
Bug fixes
Knowledge Card now displays only in the Author field
The Knowledge Card will now display only in the Author field on search results and the item detail page, as intended. Previously, it was inadvertently appearing in the Includes field on the item details page.
Font size for Language Note and Parallel Descriptions now consistent with surrounding fields
The Language Note (MARC 546) and Parallel Description (MARC 788) fields now display in the same font size as other metadata fields on the item detail page. Previously, these fields appeared in a smaller font.
Import List functionality restored in WorldCat Discovery
Users can once again successfully import lists exported from WorldCat.org into WorldCat Discovery. Previously, attempts to import a list resulted in an error message.
Important links
Product website
More product information can be found here.
Office hours
Support website(s)
Support information for this product and related products can be found at:
• WorldCat Discovery support resources
• WorldCat Discovery training
• Release notes
• OCLC Customer Support
• Browser compatibility chart
Include Request ID with problem reports
When reporting an issue with WorldCat Discovery, it is extremely helpful to include the Request ID. The Request ID is found at the bottom of the screen on which the issue occurred. Including this information allows us to directly trace what happened on the request we are troubleshooting.
