Did you know that you can search cataloging information on over 120 million books on RedLightGreen from RLG at no charge? Then you're one up on me, because I didn't until I read this entry from Librarian in Black. This is a great tool to use to confirm the existence of a particular book, and to learn which libraries in your area own it.
The search results are relevancy ranked and related subjects and authors are listed on the left-hand side. If you select a specific title, you are also given the option to check to see if a library in your area owns the book. Choose a library, and you'll pop right into their library catalog to the title you've selected. (Of course, this holdings information is limited to RLG libraries.)
RedLightGreen also integrates Google search results AND links to online booksellers who might offer the book for sale.
The goal of this project according to RLG is an admirable one:
"...to offer rich, reliable library information that is unique in the Web environment and to deliver that information in ways that meet the expectations of Web-savvy users."
Good intentions and nice implementation! Is there any online catalog software out there that works like this?
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