Making the transition to a truly global cooperative

As OCLC moves to an even more inclusive governance model and direct member representation, we sought out the thoughts of two OCLC staff who have been immersed in the process for many years. George Needham, Vice President of Global and Regional Councils, left, and Rich Van Orden, Program Director for Councils, took some time to share their memories of Members Council and their hopes for the future.

Describe OCLC’s transition to a global membership organization.

GN: This transition has really been ongoing, as more and more libraries across the world have contributed to WorldCat and have become involved with OCLC over the years. In moving to a global cooperative, we’ve made a lot of adjustments−but the mission has stayed constant. We have created a place where librarians from around the world can come to discuss common interests. We’ve had delegates from Germany, from South Africa, Taiwan, Singapore−and today OCLC is itself a cultural interchange, where people can understand our many commonalities, as well as embrace our differences.

RVO: It has been dramatic to watch the change over the years−the single, and then two and three, and as many as 15 delegates to Members Council from outside the United States, bringing their perspectives from around the world. To see the broadening of our perspective has been a personally rewarding experience.

Throughout your tenure at OCLC, have the reasons for being a member of the cooperative changed or evolved?

GN: It’s amazing to me how the two basic benefits of OCLC membership have not changed significantly. The idea of a shared database, of a record of human knowledge−that is a significant benefit to the global library community. And the ability to use that shared database to actually get your hands on materials has remained constant. The ripple effect, from Ohio to a global organization, has progressed as an evolution of that idea.

Membership has also evolved. The recent change in governance is about members having a direct conversation with OCLC, completely unfiltered. To create a more meaningful experience for our members, who, of course, own the cooperative. If we can achieve that, then I think we will have succeeded.

Which member achievements have most impressed you−something that captures the spirit of cooperation and OCLC’s vision?

RVO: I will always remember the excitement of the Association of Research Library directors, specifically Shirley Baker and Ernie Ingles who said, “Wow, this is the first time we’ve seen that WorldCat could in fact become our local catalog.” OCLC immediately started broadening access through services like WorldCat.org, WorldCat Local and even the Web-scale library management services that we’re developing now−they are really an extension of that vision that first emerged from Members Council.

GN: WorldCat.org and WorldCat Local, to me, have been the high points during my tenure here. Also, before I came to OCLC, the IFM, Interlibrary Loan Fee Management, was something that had been debated internally for some time. When it was brought to Council, they said, “This is an excellent idea, get moving on it.” Council can bring that kind of influence to important projects.

How do our member delegates help keep OCLC “on mission”?

GN: What never ceases to impress me about our member leaders is their willingness to contribute their time and ideas. The generosity of spirit that our Members Council delegates have shown is inspirational. That willingness to make the cooperative relevant to the profession defined the role of Members Council, and now defines Global Council. And through Members Council, I think those exchanges have always been very useful for members to take back and say to their colleagues, “Here’s the direction that the profession is going in; this is what we ought to be thinking about.”

RVO: Members have the chance to provide input, to influence and understand what’s happening at OCLC. The cutting-edge things that members can discuss, building those relationships and talking about what’s on the horizon for the library community globally−then watching some of those things come to fruition−is a source of reward for the delegates.

What results would you like to see come out of the new Global and Regional Councils?

GN: I’d like to see the Councils be a place where the best thinking occurs by the top leaders in our profession−and where all members come to shape the future of the profession. And the new governance structure promises those benefits. I would also like to see more of our members actively engaged in the cooperative, whether through Regional Council meetings, e-mailing your delegate or talking with OCLC staff directly. Every library that I’ve ever visited has had something truly special and unique that the rest of the library community could benefit from learning about.

WorldCat Digital Collection Gateway | The Virtual International Authority File