Membership resources
Stay up to date on core membership information, guiding principles and governance documents, member groups, and other resources related to OCLC's Global and Regional Councils.
Becoming an OCLC member
Membership in OCLC brings many benefits to a library and its users, including global access to information, high quality research, participation in governance, and the value of shared resources. Institutions establish and maintain membership through a subscription to a qualifying OCLC product or service.
While there is no separate membership fee, OCLC members contractually agree to participate in cooperative services as set forth in Membership Criteria annually reviewed by the Board Membership Committee.
Maintain your voting contact
One of the most unique and important benefits of OCLC membership is electing member representatives to your Regional Council. Delegates elected from these councils (Americas; Asia Pacific; and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) reflect your interests through the OCLC Global Council, which works on behalf of members worldwide. Elections take place each year, and each member institution receives one vote.
Provide or update your institution's voting contact information
OCLC Canada Advisory Council
The OCLC Canada Advisory Council provides OCLC with advice on how to facilitate cooperation and collaboration within and outside Canada. This advice is communicated directly to OCLC through OCLC Americas Regional Council Members and OCLC Canada employees who attend the Council meetings, and through the OCLC Canada delegates to OCLC Global Council.
Membership documents
Membership and Governance Protocols
(PDF, 144 KB)
20 March 2024
Code of Regulations
(PDF, 150 KB)
18 March 2024
Shared Values and Membership Principles of the OCLC Cooperative
(PDF, 80KB)
21 June 2010
Articles of Incorporation of OCLC
(PDF, 159 KB)
30 November 2016
OCLC Global Council and Regional Council Bylaws
(PDF, 230 KB)
3 May 2022
OCLC Qualifying Subscriptions for Membership
(PDF, 195 KB)
25 April 2024
Other documents
WorldCat Rights and Responsibilities for the OCLC Cooperative