Gale, a part of The Thomson Corporation, has launched linking technology that allows library patrons to search library holdings in WorldCat (the OCLC Online Union Catalog) on the OCLC FirstSearch service through Gale's InfoTrac search interface. The link is designed to enhance a user's experience with library gateways for online searching. The link from InfoTrac to WorldCat can be activated at no charge by any library that subscribes to both services. When InfoTrac users receive search results a link-to-holdings button will appear. Clicking that button will allow them to view holdings without having to switch services. Libraries can enable the link by entering their FirstSearch authorization number and completing a short linking profile within the InfoTrac administrative module.
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