Skip to page content

Middle East (English) Change

Benefits

OCLC brings libraries together from all over the world. Together, OCLC libraries engage in leading-edge research, provide leadership in the profession, work to improve library services and save money through cooperative cataloging and other programs.

Collaborative savings

By sharing resources, OCLC libraries save money and build cooperative solutions that are more efficient than what any single library could accomplish. Libraries reduce duplicate effort through the use of shared data and services, and access a wealth of truly global resources.

WorldCat: the worldwide, cooperative library catalog

WorldCat has been built and improved by participating libraries for more than 35 years. WorldCat is the foundation of many OCLC services, the source of more than 1 billion location listings, and the most consulted database in higher education. Having grown from a union catalog, WorldCat is now available on the Web at WorldCat.org, where information seekers can more easily find library resources during their search for materials.

Programs and Research

OCLC Programs and Research is one of the leading centers of study devoted exclusively to the challenges and opportunities facing libraries and the information science field. Over the past 10 years alone, OCLC has invested more than $130 million to develop new solutions for the changing needs of libraries. We work together with libraries to define opportunities, develop consensus, and provide research, programs and prototypes that allow libraries, archives and museums to solve the challenges of information access and management.

Leadership and development

OCLC promotes the evolution of libraries by providing information professionals with opportunities for advanced education and leadership opportunities. Members regularly receive special reports that discuss trends affecting libraries and other institutions. Member libraries also have an active voice and formal role in the governance of OCLC. Opportunities to learn from industry leaders, dialogue with OCLC leadership and steer the organization itself include Members Council, user groups, advisory committees and the Board of Trustees. OCLC also provides specific career development opportunities such as grants, the IFLA Fellows Program and the Spectrum Initiative.