WorldCat.org displays libraries nearest to farthest, based on a user’s IP address, to help people find libraries closest to their location. In addition, users can enter a postal code, state, province, or country name to view libraries closest to the entered location. Distance determinations are based on a postal code's geographic center and the street address associated with each library's OCLC institution symbol. The display of libraries from nearest to farthest can result in out-of-state libraries preceding in-state libraries in a list of holding libraries.
A user who enters a broad location such as a country will see a list of holding libraries sorted nearest to farthest from the central latitudinal/longitudinal point of that country. The list of libraries will not be limited to only those libraries in the country entered. We recommend that users enter the most specific location available, to identify the nearest libraries that own a needed item.