Based on your browser settings, we have selectedEnglish as your preferred language on the OCLC.org website. This setting will be used whenever content in that language is available. You can change your preferred language below.

Members talking

Member benefits

Leverage the strength of a global library network

By joining together, member libraries benefit from reduced costs and increased access to information held in libraries around the world. Being part of OCLC also provides access to library research, advocacy programs and professional development opportunities.

Read member stories

"Members have a very important voice. OCLC is 'us'—not 'them.' Members share basic values of what the library is about and wants to achieve. With OCLC, we can and do achieve what we couldn’t do separately."

Madeleine Lefebvre
Chief Librarian, Ryerson University (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
OCLC Global Council delegate for the Americas Region

OCLC membership brings:

An opportunity toguide the cooperative through voting, council participation and user groups
A connection to aglobal network of libraries for learning and collaboration
Cost savings through shared and cloud-based solutions
Access to WorldCat—the most comprehensive global network of data about library collections and services—2.5 billion holdings and growing
Library-centered research, including membership reports
Advancement of librarianship through scholarships and development programs such as the IFLA Fellows program.

Learn how OCLC services have helpedgroups and consortia,public andacademic libraries.

A conversation among delegates at the April 2015 OCLC Global Council meeting

Shared purpose, shared values

OCLC’s membership is committed to the following shared values to further its public purpose and mission.

Cooperative Engagement

We believe that every individual in the OCLC cooperative has knowledge and competencies to share with and contribute to the cooperative in support of its public purpose and mission.

Economy of Scale

We believe that together we can optimize services to our users through sharing costs and by reducing the rate-of-rise of library per-unit costs.

Excellence

We support member needs for high-quality information services.

Inclusivity

We understand the importance of a global cooperative that has members from all parts of the world and includes institutions of different sizes and types.

Innovation and Research

We believe in research-supported innovation that creates improvements in information services.

Open Communication

We believe in communicating openly, honestly and accurately with one another.

Respect

We honor the rights, beliefs and cultures of every member and every individual and treat one another with the highest degree of respect and dignity.

Sharing

We believe that all libraries, archives and museums have resources that are valuable for our users and we agree to share as freely as possible these resources with one another.

Sustainability

We are committed to maintaining and enhancing the cooperative for our users.

Trust

We commit to supporting adherence to the policies and practices of the cooperative.

OCLC members embody these shared values, by working together to achieve mutually beneficial goals. Members share collections, metadata, best practices and expertise. They communicate honestly and openly, provide feedback on services, enhance access to information resources, and participate in OCLC councils, advisory groups and user communities.

Learn more about our Shared Values and Membership Principles »