Membership

The OCLC cooperative belongs to librarians.

Libraries founded and built the cooperative and member libraries own the cooperative today. The role that OCLC members play in the guidance, health and growth of the organization cannot be overstated. Put simply, everything OCLC does is intended to provide increased value for its members.

At the most recent meeting of the OCLC Members Council, a new definition of membership was voted on and approved, which states that any library, museum or archive that participates in cooperative services with OCLC is considered a member. The benefits of membership are not linked to financial contribution, but are equally available to all institutions that are part of the cooperative.

Our model is built on the same ideals shared by the institutions we serve—sharing, community and efficiency. And the benefits of OCLC membership are likewise similar to those experienced by users of memory institutions: access to shared resources, a community of study, systematic improvements and opportunities to advance the profession.

For information about becoming a member, send an e-mail to membership@oclc.org.

Membership is open to libraries and other memory organizations of all types and sizes. We encourage current members and those interested in joining OCLC to explore more fully:

• WorldCat
  Share your holdings through WorldCat and other OCLC union catalogs.
• Contributing to OCLC governance
  One of the most vital aspects of the cooperative is the opportunity for librarians to participate in its governance.
• Membership benefits
  Membership cooperation has enabled OCLC to develop close ties with the library community and to build services targeted solely at strengthening library services.
• Reports and papers
  OCLC initiatives include in-depth studies and topical surveys that let you understand issues and trends that affect librarianship.

Lynne Lysiak—OCLC agent for change

One of the first OCLC users shares her story, from day one to retirement

OCLC welcomes the following new member institutions:

• Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Santa Fe México City, México
  OCLC Symbol: MXCSF
• Liechtensteinische Landesbibliothek Vaduz, Liechtenstein
  OCLC Symbol: LIBIB
• Universität Luzern Lucerne, Switzerland
  OCLC Symbol: CHLUZ
• Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sport Austin, Texas, USA
  OCLC Symbol: HJLSC

• Antioch University Los Angeles Culver City, California, USA
  OCLC Symbol: CANTI
• Gosteli-Stiftung - Archiv Worblaufen, Switzerland
  OCLC Symbol: CHGAR
• Eawag-Empa Dübendorf, Switzerland
  OCLC Symbol: CHEGP
• Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  OCLC Symbol: ATSMS