We’re committed to libraries
We partner with library groups and organizations because we share core values and we’re stronger together.
We believe that providing better access to knowledge for everyone is essential. Every library—from small, public and community college libraries to those serving large, urban centers and major universities—can benefit. And every library has something to offer.
OCLC is built on that principle—that many libraries working together are better able to represent the combined power of library resources while achieving better value cooperatively.
The power of your subscriptions and the benefits to your library
Library groups and consortia with shared OCLC subscription packages benefit from the collective buying power of their organizations. In addition, options are often available for individual libraries that can better meet your local needs. Our core services generally fall into three areas:
Metadata and cataloging
Efficiency and impact
Resource sharing
Speed and innovation
Discovery and reference
Local resources and beyond
Your organization may have subscription options for multiple services in one of these categories. Contact your local group administrator or OCLC Group Services for information about what’s specifically available for your library.
Connect the people you serve to more opportunities for success and growth
The more that people can accurately discover what’s in your library and in other libraries, the more you can help them grow and succeed. OCLC can make your collections visible on WorldCat.org and from search engines and websites where people start their research. And OCLC provides both basic, easy-to-use search options as well as expert tools
- Offer a configurable experience that features your library’s resources with WorldCat Discovery.
- Provide precision search options with FirstSearch, an expert lens on what’s in WorldCat.
- Support staff workflows for reference, interlibrary loan, collection management, and cataloging.
- Share content from WorldCat Discovery with a central index of more than 3,100 e-content collections.
- Provide access to 100 million+ open content items that expand your collections without impacting your budget.
- Offer convenient access to full text through the integrated link resolver of WorldCat Discovery or linking to a local OpenURL resolver.
Drive capacity with quality metadata and increase efficiency
with automation
Your library benefits from the cataloging work of thousands of libraries worldwide. OCLC libraries copy cataloged 96 percent of their collection's titles from WorldCat last year, saving 10 minutes per title and almost 60 million hours collectively. With us, your library can:
- Get full-service online cataloging through WorldShare Record Manager.
- Provide fast, reliable access to your e-collections with the WorldCat knowledge base.
- Streamline electronic and print collection maintenance with WorldShare Collection Manager.
- Tackle complex original cataloging tasks with Connexion client.
“Our holdings are more accurate than ever before because with Record Manager we’re only updating holdings in one place versus multiple places.”
Emily Crabb
Library Technician, Division of Online Education and Learning Resources
Saddleback College
Extend your library’s collection with the world’s largest resource sharing network
No single library can hold every item its users may need. That’s why libraries rely on the OCLC resource sharing network to lend and borrow resources locally, in groups, and around the world. We make it easier for libraries to support one another and their users, no matter what resource is requested.
- Obtain items for your users faster with new smart fulfillment capabilities.
- Share digital resources in 18 hours or less with the OCLC Express program.
- Manage resource sharing with modern, cloud-based services, reducing reliance on IT staff.
- Simplify ILL payments and charges with ILL Fee Management.
“All the new smart fulfillment features work together for a superior experience for our library users and more effective use of our ILL staff’s time.”
Laura D'Amato
Head of Access Services and Interlibrary Loan
Ritter Library, Baldwin Wallace University
Additional resources
Get started
- OCLC Service Configuration
- FirstSearch Administrative Module
- FirstSearch Administrative Module Documentation
- Request your institution's WorldCat Discovery URL
- Configure WorldCat Discovery features and content
- Customize FirstSearch
- Create a WorldCat.org staff account
- Get started with ILL smart fulfillment capabilities
- WorldShare Record Manager
- See what's available in the WorldCat knowledge base
- Enable WorldShare Collection Manager updates
- Find support for Connexion client
Stay connected
Working with your organization, we offer a variety of ways to get up to speed on your subscription, train on specific products, and connect with colleagues for peer-to-peer learning.
- OCLC training and support. We offer training in a variety of formats, including live classes, videos, and hands-on exercises.
- The OCLC Community Center. Connect with peers, collaborate, ask questions, share ideas to improve products, and stay on top of updates and announcements.
- Contact OCLC Group Services for more details about your library’s options.
Keep informed
- Sign up for OCLC news
- Register for OCLC events
- Read OCLC member stories
- Access OCLC research reports
What you do with OCLC makes all libraries stronger
We're guided by representatives from member institutions that use our products and services. We work together to share data, improve information services, do original research, and better connect libraries to the communities they serve. But we also engage directly with thousands of individuals, some who work at these institutions, some who do not, to create programs, research, solutions, and training that benefit all libraries.
OCLC Research. Explore and learn from one of the largest library-focused research organizations in the world, with publications, videos, and events.
WebJunction. Experience free, community-based training that provides pragmatic ideas and examples that can be replicated and modified for your library.
Developer Network. Collaborate, experiment, and learn with other programmers as you put OCLC web services and APIs to work.
WANT to talk?
We're excited to show you how OCLC can continue to add value to your institution. Fill out the form below and your OCLC representative will contact you.