Led by librarians on behalf of libraries
OCLC operates under principles and systems of shared governance across several groups: Global and Regional Councils, the Board of Trustees, and the OCLC Executive Management Team.
Our members guide the development of OCLC's programs, policies, strategy and services. That responsibility is reflected in our leadership structure.
Global and Regional Councils
Members from around the globe are grouped by three Regional Councils—Americas (ARC); Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEARC); and Asia Pacific (APRC). Each region determines its own leadership structure and programs and priorities and facilitates communication at the local level. Regional Councils elect representatives to serve on the OCLC Global Council. There are 51 Global Council delegates who elevate members’ interests and opportunities to OCLC’s leadership team and the Board of Trustees. Global Council delegates are also responsible for electing six members to the OCLC Board of Trustees.
“By working together, OCLC member institutions bring our collective values and experiences in partnership with OCLC’s cutting edge technology and innovation, to help build a stronger future for libraries around the world.”
![Michael Levine-Clark [photo]](/content/marketing/publish/en_us/about/leadership/_jcr_content/par/parsyscolumncontrol__9/col0/highlightbox_5e6/highlightbox/textimage_d76/image.img.jpg/1699907604934.jpg "Michael Levine-Clark")
Michael Levine-Clark
Chair, Americas Regional Council
Dean of Libraries, University of Denver
“As we endeavor to preserve and provide access to our regional history and culture with the help of OCLC services, we can build a stronger future for our libraries through our partnership and the development of mutual understanding.”
![Gaye Rowley [photo]](/content/marketing/publish/en_us/about/leadership/_jcr_content/par/parsyscolumncontrol__9/col1/highlightbox_d3d/highlightbox/textimage_e1ec/image.img.jpg/1699907604970.jpg "Gaye Rowley")
Gaye Rowley
Chair, Asia Pacific Regional Council
Director of the Library; Professor in the Faculty of Law, Waseda University
“As information professionals, we navigate an evolving library landscape in our local and regional communities. And as members of OCLC, we can benefit from the support of a global community on this journey.”
![Matthijs van Otegem [photo]](/content/marketing/publish/en_us/about/leadership/_jcr_content/par/parsyscolumncontrol__9/col2/highlightbox_8869/highlightbox/textimage_5a79/image.img.jpg/1699907605004.jpg "Matthijs van Otegem")
Matthijs van Otegem
Chair, EMEA Regional Council
University Librarian, Utrecht University
Board of Trustees
The 15-member Board of Trustees approaches its responsibilities in a unique way—it answers to and represents members, not shareholders or venture capitalists. The Board guides the vision of the cooperative, shaping OCLC’s strategy and goals. It also fulfills the fiduciary duty of protecting OCLC’s shared assets and investments. In addition, the Board is responsible for recruiting and working with the OCLC President and CEO, and for monitoring the cooperative through a dedicated audit process. The Board meets four times a year and its work is done by seven committees:
| Committee | Description |
|---|---|
| Audit Committee | Together with the Board and executive management, the Audit Committee evaluates the performance of independent auditors, reviews auditors' plans and processes, and reviews audited financial statements. This committee also oversees risk assessment and mitigation plans. |
| Board Governance Committee | Assists in maintaining continuity of Board membership and managing the internal affairs and self evaluation of the Board. The Committee also assists with other duties assigned to it by the Board. |
| Executive Committee | The chairs of each committee, the Board Chair and the President and CEO coordinate the work across the Board committees. The Executive Committee exercises the authority of the Board in the management of the affairs of the corporation when the board is not in session. |
| Finance and Investment Committee | Responsible for the oversight of the financial health of OCLC. The Finance Committee reviews interim and annual financial results and the annual budget plan, the approval of loans, capital expenditures, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and special expenditures. This committee also reviews long-term investment policy and banking resolutions and recommends action by the Board. |
| Membership Committee | Reviews and updates membership and governance protocols, which determine how membership is defined. The committee is comprised of both Board members and Global Council members, and contributes to the formation and constitution of the Global Council. |
| Personnel and Compensation Committee | Provides oversight review of compensation and benefits for the employees of the corporation. This committee evaluates and reports to the Board of Trustees on matters concerning management performance, employee compensation and personnel policies, management development and continuity plans, and approves (but does not administer or manage) employee compensation and benefit programs. |
| Committee on Technology Planning | Evaluates and reports to the Board on appropriate matters related to technology, including OCLC's engagement with emerging technologies that appear well-suited to helping libraries better serve their user communities. |
Trustees listen carefully to members in order to better understand and address the issues affecting libraries in today’s changing environment. See the minutes of past Board meetings.
OCLC Board of Trustees
Chair, OCLC Board of Trustees
Norman and Armena Powell University Librarian
University of California, Los Angeles
Director of DANS
DANS is an institute of KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and NWO (Dutch Research Council)
OCLC Executive Management Team
The OCLC Executive Management Team brings expertise to the cooperative from the worlds of technology, business, and librarianship. Learn more about the Presidents of OCLC—past and present.
