Create a config file ~/.wcdl/config.yaml :
Since WorldCat doesn't host files, use these official routes to get the actual content: Find in a Library worldcat.org downloader
| Method | Description | Pros | Cons | |--------|-------------|------|------| | | Send GET requests to worldcat.org/search?q=... , parse with BeautifulSoup/lxml. | No API key needed. | Fragile (site redesigns), slow, high risk of IP blocking. | | Selenium/Playwright | Headless browser automation. | Handles JavaScript‑loaded content. | Resource‑intensive, easily detected. | | Official WorldCat Search API | REST API returning JSON/XML. | Legal, structured, stable. | Requires OCLC API key; rate‑limited; only for libraries/approved partners. | | Z39.50 / SRU | Library‑standard query protocol. | Direct access to catalogue servers. | WorldCat’s Z39.50 is restricted; requires institutional membership. | Create a config file ~/
: Select multiple items using checkboxes and use the "Export" or "Email" function to send a batch of records to yourself in a CSV or text format. Important Note on Copyright | Fragile (site redesigns), slow, high risk of IP blocking
For non‑commercial research, limited, non‑repetitive scraping might be defensible, but bulk downloading entire subject areas is not.
– Libraries with OCLC subscriptions can use advanced export features to save search results locally, often limited to a few hundred records at a time for personal or educational use.
