Most of us are familiar with OCLC, available at most good libraries. Their new WorldCat Search is now online and in the clear. It’s in Beta format, and a very 
simple search engine, but it’s about the most powerful library catalog I’ve ever tried. I just typed in a few of my surnames of interest, and was amazed at the results.
WorldCat is meant to be accessed through your local public library – and may be available as one of their remote access databases, allowing access from your home. The version you can get through your library allows for an advanced search and “similar items” capabilities, as well as published reviews and excerpts to help you better evaluate an item. The advanced search would be an advantage, allowing you to narrow your search. See: http://worldcat.org/
