Libraries & Groups : Address shared challenges at scale
OCLC is different. From the beginning, we’ve been a nonprofit, member-driven organization. No investors here. Everything we do is focused on helping libraries connect, share, and thrive.
When we come together as a growing network of libraries, we address shared challenges at scale. And we can better understand the evolving needs of libraries, their users, and their communities. Thousands of libraries, archives, museums, and industry groups in more than 100 countries actively contribute data and use OCLC products and services to achieve valuable efficiencies and greater impact.
As an OCLC member, your institution benefits by:
Scaling capacity
Take advantage of cost savings, improved efficiencies, and new technologies that maximize the power of cooperative, cloud-based services and shared data.
Library on-demand
Inspired by extensive user research and realized through OCLC’s wide range of products and services, learn more about our Library on-demand vision for libraries.
OCLC products
OCLC products help libraries address these challenges by sharing data, streamlining workflows, and connecting people to the knowledge held in the world's library collections.
View all products and services
Scaling innovation
Participate and benefit from our original research, pilots, and beta software activities, and take advantage of OCLC’s Developer Network and APIs.
OCLC Research
Explore and learn from one of the largest library-focused research organizations in the world, with publications, videos, and events.
Developer Network
Collaborate, experiment, and learn with other programmers as you put OCLC web services and APIs to work.
Scaling learning
Benefit from the shared knowledge of your peers in the Community Center and explore the wealth of training topics in WebJunction. Our learning platforms support global engagement with thousands of library staff each day.
Community Center
Not just online help, but a collaborative network providing peer-to-peer learning and feedback that drives development of new features for OCLC products and services.
Connect in the Community Center
WebJunction
Experience free, community-based training that provides pragmatic ideas and examples that can be replicated and modified for your library.
Scaling connections
Gain opportunities for library staff to take part in thought leadership discussions, online webinars, and lending leadership to Regional and Global Councils.
Meet global challenges with collaborative leadership
Every year, Global Council selects an area of focus to help concentrate efforts around a challenge facing libraries around the world. This important work spans not only geographic regions, but all types of libraries, while providing opportunities for professionals at all levels of their careers to participate and add their voices and ideas to the conversation. Council also works with OCLC staff to develop original research around these themes, producing ongoing resources and presentations.
This year’s focus on
Redefining the library experience
will explore themes such as community engagement with the library, collaboration among libraries and community partners, and innovative programs that meet the community’s continually evolving needs and expectations.
Upcoming webinars
15 June 2023
Redefining the library experience: Insights and inspiration
Join Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Executive Director, OCLC Research, and library leaders from OCLC’s Global Council as they share results from the 2023 global survey on “Redefining the library experience.”
Become an OCLC member
Becoming an OCLC member is simple. Any institution that maintains a subscription to a qualifying OCLC product or service is considered a member of OCLC. While there is no separate membership fee, OCLC members contractually agree to participate in cooperative services.
Interested in getting more involved as an individual?
Learn how you can be part of a global network sharing your expertise and services .