Library Technology Guides

53 new libraries sign on to OCLC's WorldShare Management Services platform. OCLC's WorldShare Management Services (WMS)—the first cloud-based library services platform and the only platform built with WorldCat as its foundation—continues to expand its reach. Since July 2024, 53 new libraries have selected WMS to streamline operations, improve user experiences, increase the visibility of collections, and collaborate with leading institutions worldwide through OCLC's global network. [Full Announcement].

AI-powered smart fulfillment enhancements advance OCLC's Resource Sharing services for libraries. OCLC is using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced data analysis to deliver faster, smarter resource sharing solutions for libraries worldwide. First launched in 2020 as automation tools powered by data and machine learning, OCLC's latest smart fulfillment features now incorporate cutting-edge AI. The latest smart fulfillment enhancements optimize interlibrary loan (ILL) processes, enabling libraries to deliver items faster while reducing staff workload. [Full Announcement].

The National Art Library, Victoria and Albert Museum joins the OCLC Research Library Partnership. The National Art Library, Victoria and Albert Museum has joined the OCLC Research Library Partnership, bringing its renowned collections and expertise to the global network of research libraries. As one of the world's leading art libraries, The NAL's participation enhances the partnership's ability to address shared challenges and advance innovation in the library and cultural heritage fields. The NAL joins other world class art, independent, and academic research libraries in the unique, transnational network of research libraries that comprise the RLP. [Full Announcement].

University of Glasgow selects OCLC's WorldShare Management Services as their new library services platform. The University of Glasgow has selected OCLC's WorldShare Management Services (WMS) as their new fully integrated library services platform, a move that they are confident will provide an improved experience for all users of the library. The University of Glasgow is a global top 100 university and a member of the prestigious Russell Group. [Full Announcement].

Two Spanish university libraries select OCLC's WorldShare Management Services as their new library services platform. The University of Zaragoza and Loyola University, both in Spain, have selected OCLC's WorldShare Management Services as their fully integrated library services platform to handle all essential functions of several campus libraries. [Full Announcement].

Our continuing, shared responsibility to protect the unparalleled value of WorldCat. We welcome fair competition. But we must protect and defend WorldCat and OCLC member libraries against any attempt to misuse WorldCat records. Recently, we were forced to file suit against Baker & Taylor and its subsidiary Bridgeall Libraries Ltd. to stop wrongfully providing WorldCat records in their competitive BTCat service.We have partnered with and respected Baker & Taylor in the past. But their current actions cross a clear line. They are encouraging libraries to disregard their legal obligations to OCLC and to each other by constructing BTCat—not through their own efforts, but by using WorldCat records and OCLC resources. Despite our repeated requests to Baker & Taylor to cease this conduct, we are now left with no choice but to initiate legal action to protect the integrity of WorldCat. [Full Announcement].

Three more libraries join OCLC's WorldShare Management Services community in the Middle East. Three more libraries based in the Middle East have recently selected OCLC's WorldShare Management Services as their new library services platform to better serve students, faculty, and their local and regional communities as well as to gain international visibility of their collections, including American University of Kurdistan, The Africa Institute Library - Global Studies University, and the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr. [Full Announcement].

OCLC's CloudLibrary is now integrated with WorldCat, making digital content more visible, discoverable for users. OCLC's CloudLibrary, the platform that offers access to a wide variety of digital content, is now integrated with WorldCat, making this content more visible and discoverable through libraries with OCLC cataloging subscriptions. CloudLibrary libraries that maintain an OCLC cataloging subscription can register their CloudLibrary collection in WorldCat. Once registered, libraries that subscribe to FirstSearch or WorldCat Visibility can enable the collection to be viewed across the web through a wide variety of strategic partnerships with search engines and other popular websites. [Full Announcement].

OCLC Research: evolving for greater impact. OCLC Research and Programming organization includes three teams: a research group composed of research scientists with deep subject matter expertise and experience with research methods; and two programming units staffed with specialists with extensive practitioner-level experience from the research library sector and public libraries. Like other internal organizations within OCLC, the Research and Programming group is led by an Executive Director. To ensure continued relevance and impact for the libraries we serve, we are undertaking a strategic realignment of our Research and Programming organization. While the overarching structure—three equally important teams, each with its own director—will remain intact, we are making strategic changes in the portfolios of some teams and consolidating capacity to improve Research and Programming operations. Several changes are underway, all with a focus on increasing the value we create with and for the library community. [Full Announcement].

OCLC is highest ranked supplier on latest APUC framework agreement. OCLC has once again been recognized as the highest-ranked supplier in the latest Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges framework agreement for library management systems. This marks the second time OCLC has earned this distinction, having previously secured the top ranking in 2020 for WorldShare Management Services. [Full Announcement].

Implementing AI to further scale and accelerate WorldCat de-duplication. OCLC Metadata Quality teams implement a variety of measures—both manual and automated—to improve the quality and usefulness of WorldCat data. These extensive and ongoing efforts ensure that WorldCat data supports the needs of our membership and our global network of thousands of libraries across a wide range of services. As the technologies and tools that allow us to do this important work evolve, we are continually exploring new methods for enriching, repairing, and de-duplicating WorldCat records—data that powers the global discovery and sharing of library resources. [Full Announcement].

OCLC's CloudLibrary honored with Platinum 2025 Modern Library Award from LibraryWorks. CloudLibrary, OCLC's platform that offers access to a wide variety of digital content through libraries, has received Platinum recognition as part of the 2025 Modern Library Awards from LibraryWorks. [Full Announcement].

ILLiad selected as the National Library of Medicine's interlibrary loan and document delivery management system. ILLiad has been selected by the National Library of Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, as its interlibrary loan and document delivery management system. The decision to use ILLiad came in response to a competitive proposal process for NLM's ILL and document delivery needs. ILLiad, developed by Atlas Systems, Inc. and offered in partnership with OCLC, is a trusted solution for libraries. With its integration into OCLC's WorldShare Interlibrary Loan network, connecting over 10,000 libraries in more than 50 countries, ILLiad streamlines interlibrary loan workflows and offers a suite of advanced features designed to meet the complex needs of library systems. [Full Announcement].

WISPALS Library Consortium selects OCLC's WorldShare Management Services as its library services platform. The WISPALS Library Consortium, a consortium of Wisconsin technical colleges, has selected WorldShare Management Services as its library services platform. WMS will help WISPALS libraries improve efficiency, share resources, and provide a better user experience for students and faculty. [Full Announcement].

OCLC is among Computerworld's Best Places to Work in IT for the 16th year. OCLC, the leading library technology and research organization, has been named among Computerworld's Best Places to Work in IT 2025. This is the 16th time OCLC has been named a top workplace for information technology professionals by Computerworld. OCLC was ranked second overall for midsize employers. The recognition is part of the prestigious IT publication's annual selection of the Best Places to Work in IT. In past years, the survey had been offered only to US-based companies, but for the last three years Computerworld has included organizations worldwide. [Full Announcement].

10 libraries in Alberta to join OCLC's WorldShare Management Services community. libraries from the NEOS Library Consortium in Alberta, Canada, are moving to OCLC's WorldShare Management Services, the fully integrated library services platform designed to meet the needs of modern libraries. NEOS is a consortium of government, health, college, and university libraries that cooperate to share library resources, technology, collections, and workflows. Consortium libraries work together on learning initiatives, document delivery, and a range of core library activities. [Full Announcement].

Stewarding the Collective Collection: An Analysis of Print Retention Data in the US and Canada. OCLC and the Partnership for Shared Book Collections collaborated to produce a data analysis of monograph print retentions registered in OCLC WorldCat. This research examines the impact of shared print over the past decade and helps identify priorities for moving forward. Stewarding the Collective Collection: An Analysis of Print Retention Data in the US and Canada analyzes over 100 million bibliographic records and 30 million retention commitment records in libraries across the United States and Canada to inform future collection development decision-making. Key findings reveal that the majority of titles represented in WorldCat lack retention commitments, with significant gaps in redundancy and subject area inclusivity. Additionally, millions of items face imminent expiration of their retention periods, underscoring the need for renewed commitments and improved data quality. [Full Announcement].

Beamafilm and OCLC join forces to enhance library reach and access globally. Beamafilm, a premium streaming service for libraries, is pleased to announce its integration partnership with OCLC, a global library organization renowned for its innovative library management services. This partnership will expand the reach and accessibility of Beamafilm's content within libraries worldwide, offering significant enhancements for both librarians and library users. The integration brings two major benefits: dynamic updating of KBART (Knowledge Base and Related Tools) collection files and inclusion in WorldCat, the world's largest network of library content and services. [Full Announcement].

After 10 successful years, LIBROS library consortium again selects OCLC's WMS as its library services platform. Following a competitive proposal process and in-depth review, LIBROS, New Mexico's academic library consortium, has selected OCLC's WorldShare Management Services as its library services platform. LIBROS has been using WMS for the past 10 years. LIBROS, managed by the University of New Mexico, includes 17 university, research, and special libraries that share WMS as their library services platform. With a focus on collaborative services and optimizing resources, member libraries hold 47 million items in their collections and serve tens of thousands of patrons every year. [Full Announcement].

Hofstra University Libraries joins the OCLC Research Library Partnership. By joining The OCLC Research Library Partnership, Hofstra University Library is able to participate in leadership conversations to support excellence in metadata management, special collections, research support, and resource sharing. The Library will also extend its reach through SHARES, a global resource-sharing consortium. This partnership grants Hofstra's faculty access to collections housed in member academic libraries, law libraries, art institutes, and museums around the world. Faculty researchers now benefit from a vast network of scholarly materials that go beyond the holdings of a single institution, significantly enhancing their ability to conduct in-depth research. [Full Announcement].