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OCLC Annual Report 2024–2025 :  Unwavering dedication to the library community

FY25 was a year of unprecedented uncertainty and pathbreaking transformations. Despite the challenges, libraries and OCLC® moved aggressively forward with a determined spirit and a steadfast commitment to build our shared future together.

President’s Welcome

As I reflect on the past year, one thing stands out above all: the resilience of libraries everywhere. Around the world, I’ve seen library leaders adapt, innovate, and serve their communities in extraordinary ways. Two themes capture this spirit: innovation and connectivity.

Extraordinary challenges once again tested our collective adaptability. Yet, amid economic uncertainty, political shifts, and the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies, libraries continued to lead with purpose. They remain steadfast in their mission to serve communities, learners, educators, and nations.

At OCLC, we are proud to stand beside you. Together, we navigated the upheavals of the past year while building the foundations for what’s next. We strengthened our commitment to innovation and connection, delivering new tools, services, and insights that empower libraries to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Like many of you, we also examined how we work by reassessing teams, processes, and priorities to ensure we stay agile and focused.

Our story is your story. The achievements that follow reflect the dedication and partnership of our global library community.

Driving innovation with AI

AI continues to transform the way libraries serve their users, and OCLC is leading that transformation with responsibility and care. This year, we introduced AI-powered tools and workflows that produced measurable results for library staff and users. From reducing interlibrary loan turnaround times to speeding up cataloging processes, AI is helping libraries save time, improve accuracy, and deliver better experiences.

Our AI-enhanced resource sharing network saved library users an estimated 410,000 hours of wait time and freed staff from more than 13,600 hours of processing time. By taking a human-first and sustainable approach to AI, OCLC is leading in responsible innovation that helps libraries increase the speed of discovery.

We expanded AI-driven cataloging capabilities, enabling faster, more efficient subject classification and merging millions of duplicate records in WorldCat. These advancements improve metadata quality and streamline workflows, making collections more discoverable and accessible. Through initiatives like the Managing AI in Metadata Workflows working group, we are collaborating with libraries to explore how AI can support areas such as metadata management, archival practice, and curation of research resources.

Ensuring ethical, human-centered AI

Innovation is only meaningful to us when it reflects our values. That’s why OCLC continues to focus on the ethical use of AI, ensuring our applications are transparent, sustainable, and designed to enhance human expertise. We actively monitor global standards, engage with partners, and develop internal guidelines that safeguard privacy, intellectual freedom, and fairness in every AI initiative.

Expanding access and strengthening connections

OCLC was founded on a belief in the power of collaboration to drive progress. That belief continues to guide our work as we build practical linked data applications, protect WorldCat, and strengthen the world’s largest representation of library collections.

WorldCat remains an unparalleled, global resource. Much more than a database, WorldCat is the essential foundation of metadata workflows in libraries and a source of vital network intelligence to inform library decision-making.

WorldCat fast facts

  • Since 2017, OCLC has invested $162 million in new services and infrastructure improvements for WorldCat.
  • WorldCat supports 6,500 languages and 135 scripts.
  • OCLC added more than 400 million linked data entities to WorldCat records this year, bridging traditional cataloging methods with modern metadata management.
  • We currently maintain 1 billion control headings for authority control over WorldCat data.
  • WorldCat’s data quality systems use 7.5 billion active signatures for intelligent record matching.
  • Always on and always available, WorldCat has a 99.5% uptime thanks to our technology teams.
  • WorldCat is protected by government-grade security, and our research and development staff continually advance WorldCat with the use of cutting-edge technologies.
  • Last year, 25.3 million records were added to WorldCat. OCLC deployed more than 50,000 individual validation rules to verify the data with these records, ensuring that WorldCat continues to be the gold standard in library metadata.

Our cloud-based WorldShare Management Services (WMS) platform, the world’s first cloud-based library management system, now supports more than 850 institutions worldwide. This year alone, we welcomed 53 new libraries, including Heidelberg University Library, Taipei National University of the Arts, El Paso Community College, and the University of Zaragoza. Libraries continue to choose WMS for its ability to streamline operations and improve user experiences.

In the Netherlands, we reached an agreement to implement a Unified Library System for 102 public libraries serving 14.4 million residents. This shared OCLC Wise system will strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and connect the public library network more effectively. In the United States, development continues with our Wise partner libraries, whose feedback is helping shape the system for U.S. communities.

Each of these initiatives reflects our enduring mission: to empower libraries to grow, adapt, and thrive in an evolving information landscape.

Strengthening community and advancing knowledge

Our mission extends beyond technology and is rooted in the values that define libraries: service, community engagement, and sustainability. This year, we took meaningful steps to ensure our work reflects these principles.

This year, Choreo Insights helped academic libraries use data to shape collections that better reflect the priorities of their campuses. CloudLibrary has been integrated with WorldCat, making CloudLibrary collections more visible and discoverable for libraries with OCLC cataloging subscriptions.

Through market research, webinar programming, and a series of articles highlighting AI implementations in public libraries, WebJunction is inspiring public libraries to explore the use of AI in their libraries and communities.

We also celebrated our people. OCLC was once again named a top midsize Best Place to Work in IT by Computerworld, a recognition of the extraordinary talent and dedication of our staff who work tirelessly to advance libraries worldwide.

Looking ahead

Change will remain a constant, but so will our purpose. Libraries empower individuals and communities. OCLC connects libraries with the tools and data needed to fulfill that mission. Together, we will continue to explore how AI and data-driven innovation can enhance library services, foster connection, and expand access to knowledge for all.

Each generation approaches knowledge differently, yet the need for trusted connections never changes. Libraries bridge those generations by linking wisdom from the past with curiosity for the future. As we continue to innovate with AI and data, OCLC will ensure that every new tool strengthens that bridge, empowering libraries to meet the needs of generations yet to come.

To our members, partners, and staff: thank you. This year’s progress reflects your vision, creativity, and dedication. Together, we will continue to shape a future where knowledge is within everyone’s reach. I look forward to the opportunities ahead.

Signature: Skip Prichard

Skip Prichard
OCLC President and Chief Executive Officer

Year in Review :  Investing to move libraries forward

Libraries are stepping into the AI era—and everyone benefits. In FY25, OCLC worked with libraries to put AI to practical use, speeding up article delivery, simplifying cataloging, and improving discovery for users everywhere. From faster resource sharing to smarter metadata tools, libraries are saving time and serving communities better. At the same time, public libraries are expanding digital access with CloudLibrary and building stronger networks with Wise®. Together, these investments are helping libraries stay connected, efficient, and ready for the future.

Preparing libraries for an AI future

AI is reshaping industries, daily life—and libraries. As AI grows more powerful, it offers libraries new ways to analyze data, enhance services, and strengthen community engagement.

In FY25, guided by insights from library professionals, we put AI to work in practical ways to make library processes easier, more efficient, and future ready.

Illustration: Libraries and artificial intelligence

Get articles fast

Icon: Express delivery

Library users expect fast delivery of resources. And to help them meet this demand, our Express digital delivery program is leveraging AI and data-driven insights to connect libraries that deliver articles and digital resources within 10 hours. In FY25, libraries in the program reached a significant milestone—filling more than 2 million copy requests through OCLC’s resource sharing network.

Find lenders using intelligent timing

Icon: Intelligent timing

AI and machine learning are identifying lenders based on real-time activity, ensuring ILL requests are routed to libraries most likely to fulfill them. Intelligent timing reduces the time ILL staff spend reviewing requests and speeds delivery for users.

Check knowledge base coverage

Icon: Check knowledge base

This AI feature lets libraries automatically respond ‘no’ to copy requests outside of their WorldCat knowledge base subscription. This allows ILL staff to focus only on those whose library has the coverage range and license terms to fill.

Merge duplicate records

Icon: Merge records

Libraries save time and improve discovery when WorldCat is free of duplicates. In FY25, we extended our AI model to merge records across all formats, languages, and scripts. The project began in 2023, when 300+ cataloging professionals helped validate a model that removed 5.4 million duplicate print records. Since then, we’ve refined the algorithm, tested it extensively, and worked with WorldCat Member Merge libraries to confirm results. By combining AI with community expertise, we’re keeping WorldCat accurate, efficient, and valuable for libraries and their users worldwide.

Recommend subject classification

Icon: Automate classification

Cataloging often means spending a lot of time on subject analysis and assignment, which slows processing down. Our new AI feature speeds things up by suggesting DDC, LCCN, and LCSH access points right in the cataloging workflow. Catalogers can simply review and select from the recommendations, making the process faster and more efficient. The result is streamlined workflows, higher throughput, and more resources quickly available for discovery.

Explore AI in libraries

We’re helping libraries stay ahead with the latest in AI. OCLC researchers are investigating how AI can transform library workflows and are sharing insights that libraries can use right away. This includes launching the Managing AI in Metadata Workflows working group, studying how academic libraries use AI as reference chatbots, and examining how AI supports four key areas: metadata management, resource sharing, archives and special collections, and research support. Together, this work helps libraries confidently navigate new technology and lead the way in innovation.

“When people put in an article request and see how fast it comes back, they’re really impressed. They are wowed by it. I am too.”

Susan Yach
Interlibrary Loan and Serials Assistant
Moraine Valley Community College

Accelerating the digital transition for public libraries

Public libraries need the right mix of infrastructure and content to speed their digital transition. To address those needs, in FY25 we increased access to digital content while improving the user experience with CloudLibrary. And we strengthened our role in the public library sector in the Netherlands with Wise.

Expand digital access

Public libraries can give their communities unlimited access to a growing collection of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, comics, and videos through our CloudLibrary platform—making it easier to keep up with demand for digital collections. In FY25, we integrated CloudLibrary content with WorldCat, so libraries with OCLC cataloging subscriptions can make this content more visible and discoverable both in their catalogs and across the web. Librarians have noticed: CloudLibrary won Platinum honors in the 2025 Modern Library Awards, based on voting by those who have experience with digital content services.

Illustration: CloudLibrary librarian interface on laptop

Illustation: Connecting the Dots series

Connect library leaders

To help current and future public library leaders stay informed and inspired, we continued our Connecting the Dots series. In FY25, through webinars, email, and social media, we reached more than 6,000 libraries across the US and Canada. The six webinars alone drew more than 600 live participants and another 250 on-demand viewers, creating new opportunities for leaders to learn, share, and connect.

Build a stronger library network

Public libraries across the Netherlands will come together under a new Unified Library System powered by Wise, making it easier for millions of people to access services and resources. In FY25, we signed an agreement with the Cooperative for Digital Innovation Together for the implementation of the new system. With 102 libraries participating—serving 14.4 million residents—this shared system will strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and create a more connected, robust public library network. The result will be better access, smoother experiences, and stronger support for communities nationwide.

Illustration: Cooperative for Digital Innovation Together and Wise agreement

“The Cooperative for Digital Innovation Together and OCLC share the vision that libraries are more than just places to borrow books: they provide access to knowledge, foster personal development, and create equal opportunities. Together, we are building a flexible, scalable, and future-oriented system that supports libraries even better.”

Peter van Eijk
Former Member of the Governing Board
Cooperative for Digital Innovation Together

Emerging insights pointing libraries to the future

As library staff and leaders navigate unknown, fast-paced change, OCLC Research empowered them to overcome challenges and address real-world needs through innovative research and project efforts.

Make open access publications easier to find

Libraries want their communities to get the most out of open access (OA) research, but discoverability can be a challenge. To help, OCLC Research published Improving Open Access Discovery for Academic Library Users, a report that shares practical, evidence-based ways to make scholarly OA publications easier to find. Based on insights from user behaviors and staff practices at seven universities in the Netherlands on the cutting edge of OA research, the report highlights where gaps exist and offers clear recommendations. Libraries worldwide are already using these findings to strengthen access and improve the research experience.

Illustration: OCLC Research Report Improving Open Access Discovery for Academic Library Users

Illustration: OCLC Research Report Stewarding the Collective Collection

Strengthen shared print

Libraries across the US and Canada are working together to preserve print collections, and our report Stewarding the Collective Collection helps them do it more effectively. By mapping the current state of shared print, the research gives libraries the baseline data they need to make informed collection decisions. It highlights successes, uncovers risks, and points to opportunities for growth—helping libraries improve metadata, expand strategically, and ensure the long-term sustainability of shared print initiatives.

Boost impact through campus partnerships

Libraries can increase their visibility and strengthen research support by working across campus, and our Library Beyond the Library research explored how. By collecting stories and analyzing cross-campus collaborations, we highlighted ways libraries are raising their profile and expanding services. The full findings—coming next fiscal year—will offer recommendations to help library leaders grow partnerships, showcase their value, and make a bigger impact on campus.

Illustration: Campus library partnerships

Year in Review :  Growing to help libraries thrive

Libraries never stand still—and neither can the systems that support them. As collections keep growing and shifting from print to digital, the need for smarter tools and stronger collaboration becomes even more important.

Expanding the most comprehensive network of data about library collections

WorldCat makes library collections findable and accessible. It allows libraries to dramatically reduce time spent on cataloging and collection development by uniquely enabling libraries to share metadata contributions from libraries, publishers, and OCLC. And it’s a global leader in electronic as well as print metadata, capable of supporting 6,500 languages in 135 scripts.

Logo: WorldCat

WorldCat activity in FY25:

Illustration: WorldCat searches

25.2 billion searches performed

Illustration: WorldCat records created

25.3 million new records created

Illustration: WorldCat records exported

45 million records exported

Grow e-resource content

Many library patrons expect a just-in-time, digital experience. Over the past year, WorldCat continued to strengthen its position in electronic and digital resources. These efforts improve discovery of and provide one-click access to these valuable resources for library users. In FY25, our WorldCat services contained 134 million OA items and had 4 billion records that contain article metadata with links to full text. E-resources in our WorldCat services included:

  • 78 million ebooks
  • 1.4 billion digital content items (e-journals, e-maps, e-scores, e-videos, streaming music, and audiobooks)

Illustration: Man perusing electronic magazines on a tablet

The WorldCat knowledge base got stronger in FY25, giving libraries faster, easier access to e-resources and more options for managing collections. With all e-resource providers now using a new ingest workflow, we can process bigger loads more quickly—meaning libraries get the latest content faster. By the end of the fiscal year, the knowledge base included nearly 32,000 collections from almost 700 providers—covering more than 94 million records, a solid 10% growth in collections and 15% growth in records since last year.

Improve record quality

Quality metadata is essential to the discovery experience. And high-quality records mean that catalogers can spend more time creating records for special and unique items in their collections, expanding the discovery experience even further. Together, we improved the quality of 62% of all WorldCat bibliographic records this year. OCLC staff worked on 376 million records while the library community improved an additional 2.5 million records. And WorldCat’s unique community good participatory model allows this to happen at a scale that no individual institution can achieve alone.

Illustration: OCLC Meridian and linked metadata

Position WorldCat for the future

Libraries are making their collections more discoverable and better connected to the wider knowledge ecosystem with linked data. In FY25, we enriched more than 300 million WorldCat records with more than 189 million WorldCat Entities URIs—covering People, Places, Events, Works, Concepts, and Organizations. These URIs bridge MARC data with linked data, ensuring libraries can maintain existing workflows today while preparing for the linked data future. By embedding them in fields like 110, 610, and 710, we’re helping libraries boost interoperability across systems and open new pathways for discovery.

We also expanded OCLC Meridian® with new ways for catalogers and other library metadata workers to add new entity and authority information to WorldCat Entities. That means libraries of all sizes can create and curate linked data for their distinctive materials—making linked data not just accessible, but practical and useful in everyday work.

“Linked data is the future of library workflows. Meridian has positioned WVU Libraries to lead the way in metadata innovation, ensuring that our scholarship remains accessible, discoverable, and impactful for years to come.”

Emily Fidelman
Head of Metadata Services
West Virginia University Libraries

Growing the world’s most efficient cloud-based library services platform

Libraries choose WorldShare Management Services (WMS) because it helps them do more with less—streamlining daily operations while expanding access to knowledge. That impact is why a record 53 new libraries joined in FY25, bringing the total to more than 850 libraries in 31 countries.

Academic libraries rated WMS highest among all leading platforms for satisfaction, functionality, customer support, and loyalty in Marshall Breeding’s Library Perceptions 2025 report.

Illustration: WorldShare Management Services on a laptop in a library setting

Among the new subscribers to WMS:

The Americas

  • Alberta Innovates
  • Burman University
  • Colby-Sawyer College
  • El Paso Community College
  • Keyano College Library
  • Newman University
  • Northwestern Polytechnic
  • Olds College Library
  • Oral Roberts University
  • Paul Smith’s College
  • Rider University
  • Red Deer Polytechnic
  • Saint Edward’s University
  • Vanguard College

Europe and the Asia Pacific region

  • Artevelde Hogeschool
  • Carey Baptist College
  • University of Glasgow
  • Hogeschool Gent
  • Hogeschool PXL
  • Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen
  • Humanistische Hochschule Berlin AdöR
  • Katholische Hochschule Mainz
  • Gauteng Provincial Legislature
  • Universidad de Loyola
  • Northern Territory Supreme Court Library
  • Taipei National University of the Arts
  • University of Zaragoza

Many important enhancements were implemented in WMS—most based on community feedback. The more noteworthy enhancements include new budget functions for acquisitions staff, new email notifications for circulation staff regarding loan status, new COUNTER registry integration in license manager, and a modernized dashboard to view and export reports.

“Red Deer Polytechnic Library was seeking a cloud-based library platform that provided excellent value, and WMS met all our criteria.”

Kristine Plastow
Dean of Students
Red Deer Polytechnic

Driving people to library collections

Library collections empower users to pursue research, education, and learning in profound ways. WorldCat Discovery, our cloud-based library search and discovery service, makes it easy for library users to find what they need—whether it’s in their own library or across collections worldwide—with just one simple search. And WorldCat.org, a free, publicly accessible website, helps libraries boost web visibility and showcase their collections.

In FY25, we added new content and released several relevance and search enhancements to WorldCat Discovery. A redesigned Advanced Search includes new filtering options for format, content types, audience, and language. And a new Primary Title index ensures more accurate results for specific title searches.

We added 30 new content collections from seven content providers to the WorldCat Discovery central index. At the end of FY25, we had agreements with 433 publishers and information providers to include metadata for 3,413 collections of books, ebooks, journals, databases, and other materials from these global publishers to the central index, representing more than 5.1 billion records.

Illustration: WorldCat Discovery advanced search

To drive researchers from the web to the library, we expanded the number of libraries included in our WorldCat.org program that links people directly to records in library catalogs from Google Search results. Around 1,100 US libraries are now included in the direct links program. We’ve sent more than 2 million clicks directly to library collections from Google Search results since announcing this program three years ago.

Using analytics to align library collections with institutional goals and priorities

Illustration: Choreo Insights

Libraries can better shape their collections and services when they have clear insights to guide decisions. Choreo Insights™, our library analytics solution that uses WorldCat data, helps librarians make evidence-based choices about managing print collections that align with shifting institutional priorities, new curriculum needs, and future trends. This helps libraries stay flexible and ready to support their communities as goals and programs evolve.

In FY25, we enhanced Choreo Insights to give libraries more powerful ways to understand their collections. We introduced a new feature to help spot scarce materials, made it easier to export files with diacritics and non-Latin characters, and added options such as comparing title lists with more libraries. We also expanded analysis to cover every language in WorldCat—jumping from the top 70 to all 483 languages—so libraries can explore their collections in full, no matter what they hold.

The library at Edith Cowan University was the first Australian library to adopt Choreo Insights. With a long-standing digital-first approach, library staff were rethinking how they managed collections and wanted a smarter way to handle both print and electronic materials. Choreo Insights helped the team save time, simplify reviews, and make data-driven decisions.

“Choreo Insights is like a crystal ball. We're using it to gain a clearer understanding of our library holdings and to evaluate vendor offers by comparing them against our physical collection. This helps us maximize the value of our e-resource spend and make more informed decisions when deselecting print items.”

Ian Welch
Associate University Librarian, Scholarly Communication and Collections
Edith Cowan University

Year in Review :  Engaging to gather libraries’ expertise

This past year, we focused on bringing libraries and library staff closer together through new ways of engaging, learning, and sharing.

Expanding member engagement

Libraries now have a stronger voice in shaping OCLC’s future. The new OCLC Leaders Council is designed to give members a direct way to share insights that guide strategy and innovation. With a smaller, more focused group, Councilors can dig deeper into issues that matter most to libraries and the communities they serve.

Logo: OCLC Leaders Council

Photo: Keith Webster

Keith Webster

In FY25, the Council met twice—on 20 November 2024, and 11 June 2025—bringing together 22 members for big-picture conversations with the OCLC Board and leadership team. Topics included global economic and political shifts, as well as fast-moving technology trends, especially AI. These discussions are influencing how OCLC plans, develops, and applies AI across services, making sure libraries benefit from tools that reflect their needs.

At its June meeting, Leaders Council elected Keith Webster, the Helen and Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of the University Libraries, Carnegie Mellon University, to the OCLC Board of Trustees. Keith took his seat on the Board in November 2025.

2024–2025 Board of Trustees

The OCLC Board of Trustees guides the vision of OCLC, shaping its strategy and goals. The Board also fulfills the fiduciary duty of protecting OCLC‘s shared assets and investments.

Photo: 2024–2025 Board of Trustees
Photo: Theresa Byrd
Photo: Xuemao Wang

Back row L–R: Brady J. Deaton, Chancellor Emeritus, University of Missouri; Debbie Schachter, Associate Vice President, Students, Langara College; Dwight Smith, President and CEO, Sophisticated Systems, Inc.; Anja Smit, Director of DANS, an institute of KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and NWO (Dutch Research Council); John F. Szabo, City Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library; Pilar Martinez, Chief Executive Officer, Edmonton Public Library; Tim Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Front row L–R: Sarah E. Thomas, Vice President for the Harvard Library (retired), Harvard University; Ginny Steel, Chair, OCLC Board of Trustees and the Norman and Armena Powell University Librarian (retired), University of California, Los Angeles; Skip Prichard, President and Chief Executive Officer, OCLC; Bernadette Gray-Little, Vice Chair, OCLC Board of Trustees and Chancellor Emerita, University of Kansas; Janet Walls, President, Delta Blvd.

First inset: Theresa S. Byrd, Dean of the University Library, University of San Diego.

Second inset: Xuemao Wang, Dean of Libraries, Charles Deering McCormick University Librarian for Northwestern University.

Photo: Ginny Steel

A message from Ginny Steel, Chair, OCLC Board of Trustees
The Norman and Armena Powell University Librarian (retired), University of California, Los Angeles

This year, OCLC has helped libraries stay strong and adaptable in a fast-changing, unpredictable world. I’ve seen the passion of OCLC staff and leaders up close, and their commitment to libraries and the people we serve is unmatched. Together, we’ve made real progress in advancing the library mission amid uncertainty and setting the stage for an even brighter future. I’m confident that by working together, we’ll keep driving meaningful change and ensure libraries remain leaders in the global information industry.

Strengthening connections across the global library community

Illustration: OCLC Community Center screens

Libraries thrive when they can easily share ideas, learn from each other, and shape the tools they use. With that in mind, we continued to improve the OCLC Community Center—a space where more than 27,000 members connect, ask questions, and spark new ideas. With more than 50,000 posts, it’s become a go-to place for libraries to learn, collaborate, and influence innovation.

This year, we rolled out new features that make the Community Center even more useful. Members can now better manage subscriptions, earn badges for live training, and track service updates in real time. A new process for e-content requests also gives libraries a direct way to suggest and support ideas, helping OCLC staff continue to deliver in ways that are impactful to libraries and their communities.

And when it comes to gathering together, our February Cataloging Community Meeting set a record—more than 3,100 registrants from 93 countries. Discussions on AI, linked data, and diversity in metadata highlighted both the challenges and opportunities ahead, while reinforcing OCLC’s role in advancing global collaboration.

Helping library staff grow and thrive through training and events

Libraries run better when staff have access to practical, up-to-date training. In the past year, many libraries experienced significant levels of staff retiring and turnover. The lost institutional and professional knowledge can have a material impact on the services that libraries provide to their communities. To meet that demand, WebJunction® continued to offer free, flexible learning opportunities for staff at every level. In FY25, more than 27,000 learners improved their professional skills by enrolling in courses in the WebJunction Course Catalog, which now holds 70 on-demand courses and 360 webinar recordings. Engagement grew 6% from last year.

Illustration: WebJunction Course Catalog home page

Illustration: WebJunction LiFT course screens

WebJunction also launched the first course in the new Library Foundational Training (LiFT) series, Introduction to Library Collections, created with the Idaho Commission for Libraries. LiFT modernizes and expands the long-standing ABLE courses, ensuring core skills like customer service, collection management, and programming reflect today’s best practices. Our survey of library staff from all library types and sizes collected 1,152 responses, identifying priority areas core to library work, including customer services, collection management and development, community engagement, and programming.

In addition, WebJunction hosted 19 live webinars with more than 14,000 registrants and nearly 5,100 attendees. Popular topics included embracing neurodiversity in the workplace, empowering teens through games and interactive programming, and exploring AI in public libraries.

To support librarians using OCLC products, we expanded training options. More than 12,000 participants joined one of 65 instructor-led live webinars or watched recorded sessions. Our YouTube library of over 500 quick guide videos, including 30 in Spanish and 75 in French, reached more than 33,000 views in FY25. Hands-on eLearning tools—like simulations and quizzes—provided a safe space to explore new products and workflows. These resources help library staff stay informed, confident, and ready to serve their communities.

Professional development is more than just training—it is a cultural practice that drives engagement, retention, and resilience for library staff.

Connecting in person and online with the library community

We listen and learn from libraries every day. From attending conferences and hosting meetings, both virtual and in person, to conducting surveys and focus groups, we’re working together to solve the challenges of 21st century libraries. In FY25, we connected with more than 13,000 librarians at 41 conferences and 157 virtual and in-person events around the globe.

Across EMEA and APAC, we hosted 57 webinars in five languages, with nearly 2,000 attendees. These sessions helped library staff exchange ideas across borders and time zones.

The OCLC Research Library Partnership connected with more than 700 library leaders in 21 programming sessions in diverse formats, including webinars, leadership discussions, focus group sessions, and hands-on workshops. These learning and professional development events created opportunities for Partners to connect research to their practice and connect Partners with their peers to address issues important to the research library field. In addition, the RLP SHARES resource sharing consortium came together in 46 town halls, with 106 people from 58 institutions participating.

We participated in the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Conference held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We hosted 30 programs and meetings as well as an exhibit booth, connecting with more than 1,000 librarians.

We participated in the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Activities included an exhibit booth, a cataloging community meeting, a resource sharing breakfast, and an evening reception at the Museum of the American Revolution. Through these programs we were able to connect with more than 2,300 librarians.

We attended the IFLA Futures Summit in Brisbane, Australia. We hosted an exhibit stand and provided a keynote talk on the transformative changes occurring within academic library collections and services.

We planned, produced, and hosted the 2024 OCLC Contactdag. The event took place in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, for the second year and saw 140 people from public, academic, and special libraries attend. There were two plenary sessions, nine breakout sessions, and 17 speakers.

We organized and hosted the Bibliotheksleitungstag (BLT) 2024. Like the 2023 event, the BLT broke all records with 1,700 registered attendees, making it the largest online conference in the German-speaking world yet again, with more than 100 people who couldn’t attend live registering for the recordings.

Several in-person events took place in the Middle East and Central Asia:

  • We presented at the National Library of Armenia about metadata services, digital collections, and preservation.
  • We attended and sponsored the AMICAL Library Directors Meeting that took place in Yerevan, Armenia.
  • We attended the Central Asia Library Conference in Uzbekistan in which we delivered an OCLC update and overview presentation.

In Hanoi, Vietnam, we presented on OCLC’s approach to linked data and AI, as well as recent advances in WMS, e-resource management, and WorldShare ILL. Representatives from our Vietnamese customers—Hanoi University, the British University in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese German University—shared their experiences of using our products and services.

We participated in the International Association of University Libraries (IATUL) Conference in New Zealand. We presented, along with Philip Kent from the University of Sydney, on the Reimagine Descriptive Workflows project. This event proved great for relationship building and general brand awareness with approximately 300 attendees made up of high-level university management and directors.

To foster connections among libraries and share product updates and enhancements, we held 12 OCLC Day meetings in the US. More than 500 librarians attended these OCLC Days to delve into user stories and learn about improvements to resource sharing services, analytics, metadata, cataloging, and more.

We also hosted smaller but impactful gatherings, including OCLC Research sessions in Australia, Ireland, and the UK, where librarians shared insights on pressing challenges in their communities.

No matter the size—whether a 25-person workshop or a 1,700-person virtual event—these connections all serve the same purpose: helping libraries grow, adapt, and support their communities in new ways.

FY25 Financials

OCLC is unique. We are a worldwide nonprofit organization that reinvests all our income into library research, programs, and product development. Our goal is to provide libraries with the technology and services they need to meet the ever-evolving needs of the communities that they support.

Ensuring the future

Revenues from library services increased $24.2 million, or 10.1%, to $262.7 million in FY25. This increase includes a full year of CloudLibrary revenue, which was purchased in April 2024, as well as sales growth for WMS and EZproxy® and strong renewals for cataloging and metadata services. Net contribution was $20.0 million compared to $21.9 million in FY24. Operating results before portfolio activity ended with a loss of $(7.3) million compared to a loss of $(9.7) million in FY24. The loss was due to higher technology vendor costs and increased expenses associated with wages and benefits.

Overall, revenue from library services and income from our investment portfolio provided a stable cash flow to fund operations, improve services, and make strategic capital investments during a time of uncertainty and challenge.

Summary of consolidated activities

Amount in $ millions

FY25 FY24
Operating activities Library services revenue $262.7 $238.5
Operating results before portfolio activity ($7.3) ($9.7)
Investing activities Investment portfolio activity
Dividends and investment income $11.6 $13.7
Net realized gains/(losses) $0.5 $7.0
Net unrealized gain/(loss) on investments $15.2 $10.9
Net contribution $20.0 $21.9

The OCLC investment portfolio

Our investment portfolio was valued at $244.6 million at the end of FY25, an increase in value of $15.6 million, which is in line with the broader market performance last year. The portfolio generates a stable flow of dividend and interest income that is withdrawn annually to fund cash needs.

At the end of FY25, OCLC’s outstanding debt was $62.6 million compared to $29.6 million in FY24. This increase enables us to continue to reinvest strategically in products and services that support the library community.

Investment portfolio and debt

Amount in $ millions end of fiscal year

Graph: OCLC FY25 investment portfolio and debt

Research and development

We regularly engage with our membership through Leaders Council meetings as well as specific product groups, advisory committees, and research projects to identify trends that are shaping the library profession. Based on these conversations, we continue to invest in a variety of specific initiatives that our members have told us are critical to their success.

FY25 research and development investments

Total $37.6 million

Pie chart: OCLC FY25 research and development expenditures

Investment categories include:

Metadata services (15%)

OCLC Cataloging and Metadata Subscription, CBS Services, CONTENTdm®, Contract Cataloging, Dewey Services, WorldCat Entities, OCLC Meridian, OCLC Zenith

Delivery services (12%)

Advanced Search Modernization, Article Exchange, BCI Delivery, Choreo Insights, Chinese Language Search and Index, FirstSearch®, GreenGlass®, ILLiad®, Resource Sharing for Groups, Thai Language Search and Index, Tipasa®, WorldCat Discovery, WorldCat.org, WorldShare Interlibrary Loan

Management services (41%)

BIBLIOTHECAplus™, Capira®, CloudLibrary, EZproxy, WMS global expansion, WorldShare Lexicon, OCLC Wise, WorldShare License Manager, WorldShare Management Services

Data services (7%)

BIBFRAME enhancements, Data Ingest, Digital Collection Gateway and Harvesting, Google Library Links, Search Evolution, WorldCat, WorldCat Discovery central index, WorldCat knowledge base

WorldShare Platform (13%)

The infrastructure that supports cloud services

OCLC Research (8%)

Research initiatives

Systems/corporate initiatives (4%)

Data centers, technical infrastructure

For additional information, please view the following resources:

The Audit Committee, consisting entirely of independent trustees, assists the Board of Trustees in its oversight of our financial reporting process and is responsible for, among other things, reviewing with BDO USA, P.C., independent auditors, the scope and results of its audit engagement.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the OCLC community. Together, we will continue to use the power of collaboration and innovation for the benefit of all libraries.