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Unit 12: Some Important Information Centers

information. The OCLC catalogueing and resource sharing system is the largest and most heavily Notes
used computer library system in the world. The OCLC First Search service ranks among the leaders
in the online information industry in terms of connect hours.

The OCLC bibliographic database, WorldCat (the OCLC Online Union Catalogue), is
one of the most consulted electronic databases in higher education.

The OCLC and its member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the Online
Union Catalogue of Books available in the libraries of member institutions. Members of the OCLC
can also get access to a wide range of services and databases, including WorldCat. The OCLC is the
world’s largest library network.

History of OCLC

In 1967, the presidents of the colleges and universities in the state of Ohio founded the Ohio College
Library Center (OCLC) to develop a computerized system in which the libraries of Ohio academic
institutions could share resources and reduce costs. Its first offices were in the Main Library on the
campus of the Ohio State University.

Mr. Frederick G. Kilgour, was the first President of OCLC, responsible for the
growth of OCLC from a regional library computer system for 54 Ohio colleges
into an international network.
The objective of the OCLC as stated in its Articles of Incorporation is to “establish, maintain and
operate a computerized library network and to promote the evolution of library use, of libraries
themselves, and of librarianship, and to provide processes and products for the benefit of library
users and libraries....”
In 1977, the OCLC changed its policy that enabled libraries outside Ohio to become members and
participate in its governance. The Ohio College Library Center became OCLC, Inc. in 1981, the legal
name of the corporation became Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
Membership
More than 50,540 libraries in 84 countries and territories around the world are members of OCLC.
Governance
The OCLC’s governance structure consists of Members and Governing Members, Members Council
and the Board of Trustees. Governing Members of OCLC have the privilege of electing representatives
to the Members Council. Any OCLC Member or Governing Member may serve on Members Council,
but only Governing Members nominate and determine (by vote) who serves. The Members Council
is comprised of 60 delegates plus six international transitional delegates who reflect and articulate
the interests of member institutions that participate in OCLC through qualifying regional service
providers. Delegates come from many types and sizes of libraries, bringing different perspectives
to the Members Council. The 15-member Board of Trustees consists of the President of OCLC and
eight trustees elected by the Board itself.

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