OCLC and U.S. Regional Service Providers work together to improve service efficiencies to lower costs for libraries

DUBLIN, Ohio, USA, 19 March 2009—OCLC and its network of U.S. Regional Service Providers are implementing new programs designed to increase value and reduce overall service costs for OCLC member libraries. These new infrastructure and service design changes are intended to make it possible for most OCLC members to see flat or reduced cost levels for OCLC service for the next fiscal year.

These service cost savings, in combination with OCLC’s goal to keep product prices at current levels, will help libraries face the challenges brought on by the current economic downturn.

The new service initiatives, developed by OCLC and its network of U.S. Regional Service Providers over the last 24 months, include: streamlined billing statements; more account information online; simplified account administration; a centralized training calendar offering easy access to national training and education opportunities, and strengthened product support infrastructure.

The programs are designed to take full advantage of current technologies and collaborative programs, to enhance access to OCLC products and services and to improve cost efficiencies for libraries. OCLC and its U.S. Regional Service Providers continue to strive to deliver consistent, high-quality services to all member libraries, regardless of location, size or type.

OCLC was created with the idea that libraries can do more by working together than they could ever do by themselves. This is particularly important in difficult economic times.

"The OCLC cooperative, and the services we distribute with our partners, can offer practical solutions to help libraries continue to offer outstanding service to their users during this economic crisis," said Jay Jordan, OCLC President and CEO. "Our strategy to build Web-scale shared services and to help libraries move their workflows to the Web has acquired even greater urgency. OCLC will continue to innovate in order to deliver more value for the participants in the OCLC cooperative."

"We are working closely with OCLC and our other partners to find new services and new efficiencies that can hold our costs down while continuing to meet the needs of our member libraries," said Bonnie Juergens, Executive Director of Amigos, an OCLC-affiliated network based in Dallas, Texas.

OCLC continues to look for additional opportunities to increase value to libraries. Last month, OCLC announced that it will expand the FirstSearch Base Package service to include ArchiveGrid, CAMIO and OAIster databases, as well as the new CONTENTdm Quick Start digital management software, all at no additional charge to subscribers. These additions will provide libraries access to more digital resources that draw attention to libraries’ unique online presence, and provide the tools needed to expose digital collections through WorldCat to the rest of the world.

For more information about OCLC services and value, visit www.oclc.org.

About OCLC
Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, OCLC is a nonprofit library service and research organization that has provided computer-based cataloging, reference, resource sharing, eContent, preservation, library management and Web services to 69,000 libraries in 112 countries and territories. OCLC and its member libraries worldwide have created and maintain WorldCat, the world’s richest online resource for finding library materials. Search WorldCat.org on the Web at www.worldcat.org.  For more information, visit www.oclc.org.

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