A venue for the research library community
The OCLC Research Library Partnership (RLP) is a venue for research libraries to undertake significant, innovative, collective action to benefit scholars and researchers everywhere. The Partnership magnifies the leadership and direction provided by innovative libraries. OCLC recognizes the valuable contribution that research libraries play in the cooperative and supports the Partnership with the full capacities of OCLC Research. For institutions, the RLP represents a significant extension of their own, internal R&D capacities.
New! Overview of Three Areas of Research by the RLP Webinar
Watch this webinar from 22 May 2018 on three areas the RLP is focusing research on: research information management, future of academic libraries, and a research and learning agenda on archives and special collections.
Collaboratively designing a shared future
OCLC Research works with partner institutions to identify challenges that are too big for an institution to address alone. Partners share their priorities and exchange innovative approaches to challenges they see ahead. Together we take a fresh look at community practice and consider alternative policies and approaches. With the partnership, OCLC Research helps to develop shared understandings with events and publications on timely topics, assembles evidence (e.g. data analysis, user studies), surfaces techniques for sharing data, services and expertise, and develops prototypes to test and demonstrate improved approaches.
An international alliance
OCLC Research Library Partnership allies like-minded institutions from 12 countries. A multinational partnership allows for partner staff to meet and collaborate with staff from institutions pursuing different solutions or at different stages of adoption of solutions as they design their future services.
Join the OCLC Research Library Partnership
Through partnership, you can advance your institution's goals, tap into an international pool of experts, and benefit from a range of collaborative efforts focused on maximizing the impact cultural institutions have on the communities they serve.
Stay connected
We have several e-mail and discussion lists to which you can subscribe to participate in conversations about our work, receive project updates, and learn about volunteer opportunities for new activities.
Enhance your resource sharing work
OCLC Research Library Partnership institutions are encouraged to participate in SHARES, the resource sharing arm of the RLP. SHARES supports active collaboration among its partner libraries and a generous resource sharing program. SHARES partners explore and recommend current and innovative technologies, policies, and practices to facilitate this enhanced sharing.