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Governance

Governance structureMember libraries and other cultural heritage institutions own the cooperative, and librarians guide and shape its services, policies and direction through a 15-member Board of Trustees—more than half of whom are librarians—and a Global Council of librarians, who are elected by Regional Councils of member libraries. This governance structure ensures regular and open dialogue between member libraries and OCLC management.

Members. Any library or other memory institution that embraces the OCLC values of collaboration and sharing is welcome. Institutions worldwide become members of OCLC by contractually agreeing to contribute intellectual content or share resources. Any member can participate in governance and bring resolutions to OCLC management through the Global Council via one of three Regional Councils: OCLC Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA); OCLC Asia Pacific; and OCLC the Americas. The members participate in meetings of their respective Regional Councils and send Member Delegates to the Global Council.

Regional Councils. Regional Councils are assemblies of the OCLC members in their respective regions. The purpose of the Regional Councils is to strengthen the cooperative throughout the world and make it easier to participate in its governance. Members convene at one or more Regional Council meetings each year to keep current on issues of vital and immediate interest to the OCLC cooperative. The Regional Councils elect Member Delegates who attend the annual Global Council Meetings.
 
Global Council. The Global Council comprises Member Delegates elected by the Regional Councils. The Global Council’s principal responsibilities are to elect six members of the Board of Trustees, ratify amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations, and give counsel and advice to OCLC management. The Global Council convenes at least once a year at an annual Global Council Meeting.
 
Board of Trustees. The 15-member Board of Trustees possesses powers similar to those of university or public company trustees. In addition to the six Global Council-elected members, the Board consists of the President of OCLC and eight trustees elected by the Board itself, five of whom come from fields outside librarianship. The Board meets five times annually.