Research Essentials

WorldCat is the database for finding books, articles, and videos in the Iona University Libraries catalog. WorldCat not only searches Iona University Libraries collection, but the collections of other libraries.

If you want an item that Iona doesn't own, request the item through Interlibrary Loan.

The WorldCat search bar is found in the middle of the Libraries home page. While this guide provides an overview of using WorldCat, the Iona WorldCat Research Guide is a thorough introduction to WorldCat, highlighting features of the catalog you can leverage to ease your research. The links below redirect to relevant pages on the Iona WorldCat Research Guide.

• Finding books in WorldCat

• Finding articles in WorldCat

• Generating citations in WorldCat

More information about citations can be found on the Citing Sources Research Guide.

The video below provides a brief introduction to search filters in WorldCat and finding a book in the library.

Find Your Course Reserves
Get Help Searching Iona WorldCat 

WorldCat not only searches the collection of the Iona University Libraries but also the collections of libraries we have lending agreements with. If you are searching for a book or article and find that the item is available "At Other Libraries Worldwide," like below:

Click on the title of the book or article.

To the right of the catalog information about the book or article, you will find a box named "Access Options." Push the "Request Item through Interlibrary Loan" button highlighted below:

Click on the "Request Item through Interlibrary Loan" button and fill out your relevant contact information using your Iona email address.

Articles can take up to 7 business days to arrive in your email inbox, while books can take up to 10 business days to arrive at Ryan Library. When your requested book arrives, you will receive an email saying the book is available for pick up. Interlibrary Loan books can be picked up behind the Research Desk in Ryan Library.

Most items found in WorldCat can be requested through Interlibrary Loan. eBooks cannot be requested through Interlibrary Loan, however. Iona University librarians are dedicated to ensuring that the Iona research community finds resources without paying additional money. If you would like a resource not available through Interlibrary Loan, talk to a librarian about other potential eBooks or access strategies.

For more information about Interlibrary Loan - including Frequently Asked Questions about the service - see the Interlibrary Loan page.