This resource is an online version of Wilson’s Fiction Catalog, 14th ed., which covers works of English‐language adult fiction published through 1999. This source also includes English translations of novels originally published in other languages. Although UK authors are included, this resource mostly covers US editions and publications.
Users have two options for searching, either Search or Search Plus. The basic search feature provides a single box for typing a search term or phrase with a choice of “words anywhere,” subject, title, or author. Limiting by date is also available. The Search Plus option provides two entry boxes connected with Boolean operators and offers extra limits and search fields, such as publisher and Dewey number. A browse feature is also available for perusing an alphabetical index of the resource contents.
Each entry includes citation information, notes, and an option to view the MARC record format. The citation information includes title, author, publication information, list price, ISBN, language of work, and LC number. The notes field contains table of contents information, when appropriate, as well as notations regarding status (out of print, large print available, etc.). Many entries also have a summary that has been excerpted from major review sources, such as Library Journal or Booklist. Subjects and author names are hyperlinked within the entries for convenience. Some entries also have a link to the matching Book Review Digest entry. Entries can be printed, downloaded or e‐mailed. WilsonWeb also offers a Search History feature, which allows users to redo or combine previous search sets.
Navigation through results and output options is clearly defined. Once users understand the differences between WilsonWeb’s Search, Search Plus and Search Now buttons, most will be quite successful in searching WilsonWeb products.
Sample searches provided reliable results, with a few anomalies. For instance, searching for Raymond Carver as an author retrieves three entries, while Raymond Carver as “words anywhere” retrieves four items. However, searching for R. Carver or Carver alone brings back a number of other results, where “R. Carver” is listed in the notes field of various anthologies. This resource does not include his poetry, of course, but 1983’s Fire, a collection which includes poetry, stories and essays, is missing here. The collection of stories published in 1993 as Short Cuts is also not included.
As for genre fiction, mystery and detective novels are covered better than other genres, with over 1,200 entries. Detective names are also searchable as subject headings. However, other popular genres have less coverage: searching “science fiction” as a subject retrieves 313 titles and “western” results in 118 titles, while “romance” finds zero. Librarians and patrons will need to continue using other print and Internet resources for tracking and selecting genre fiction.
Overall, this resource may prove to be easier and quicker to use than its print counterpart. Public libraries or other libraries with large fiction collections and/or reader services will benefit most from Fiction Catalog.
