Introduction to OCLC

What is OCLC?

• The Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) is a bibliographic utility that provides access to bibliographic database services to over 40,000 libraries in the US plus dozens of other countries and territories.
• The OCLC database bibliographic database, known as WorldCat or the Online Union Catalog, contains over 48 million unique records (representing several hundred million items or holdings). See http://www.oclc.org/worldcat/statistics/ for the most current data.
  • Books
  • Periodicals
  • Multimedia
  • Software
  • Maps
  • Numerous other documents and items.

History

• OCLC started in In 1967 as the Ohio College Library Center, which would create a computerized system that would enable the libraries of 54 Ohio academic institutions to share resources in a cost-effective manner.
• In 1977, the OCLC adopted changes in the governance structure that enabled libraries outside Ohio to become members and participate in the cooperative services.
• In 1981, the organization was renamed Online Computer Library Center.
• In 1998, OCLC merged with (acquired) the Western Library Network (WLN), a bibliographic utility that had over 11 million records.
• Several regional library networks still exist and are members of OCLC.

OCLC Home Page

• http://www.oclc.org/home/

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