What’s WorldCat, and Why We Use It on Lexicons Unbound

Because knowledge shouldn’t hide behind a paywall—that’s why!

If you’ve ever heard us mention a book or article in an episode and thought, “I’d love to read that, but I’m not about to spend money on it,”—you’re exactly why we use WorldCat.

WorldCat: The Library Search Tool That Opens Doors

WorldCat is a global library catalog. It searches thousands of public and academic libraries at once, so you can see where the book or article you want lives nearest to you. It’s like a search engine for every library shelf around you.

Instead of pointing you to commercial sites like Amazon, we link to WorldCat so you can:

• Borrow for free through your local library or request an interlibrary loan.

• Support open education without needing a university login or “academic access.”

• Save money (because research shouldn’t be expensive!).

How to Use WorldCat Links in Our Podcast Blog Posts

We include WorldCat links in our episode blog posts, right alongside our sources. Here’s how to use them:

1. Click the WorldCat link in our show notes or blog.

2. Enter your ZIP code or city when prompted—this helps it find nearby libraries.

3. View the list of libraries holding that item, including:

   • Public libraries

   • College/university libraries (many offer guest borrowing!)

4. Choose the closest option. If it’s not nearby, ask your local library about an interlibrary loan—most will happily request it for you.

💡 Tip: Even if a title isn’t in your exact library, librarians can usually get it within a week or two!

Why Free Research Matters for Folklore Podcasting

We believe in accessible scholarship. Academic research and folklore studies shouldn’t only be available to people with university logins.

By using tools like WorldCat, we’re:

• Making our sources discoverable without paywalls.

• Helping listeners find credible folklore research sources.

• Supporting public and academic libraries—the unsung heroes of open learning.

Supporting Open Education Through Library Resources

Open education isn’t just for universities—it belongs to everyone. Tools like WorldCat connect curious learners to books, articles, and archives that fuel deeper understanding, whether you’re in school or not.

This is why we include WorldCat in every episode’s blog post: so you can explore the same research we use on Lexicons Unbound.

Your Turn: Share Your WorldCat Wins with Us

Have you used WorldCat before? Did your library surprise you with what they could get?

Drop your stories in the comments—or share your favorite book or research find with us!

🔗 Explore WorldCat now: https://www.worldcat.org
And don’t forget to check our show notes for curated links to every source we reference.