OCLC

Old Dominion University Libraries (🇺🇸) recently concluded a comprehensive review of its library systems, and OCLC's WorldShare Management Services (WMS) emerged as the clear choice to provide the library services platform it needed. After more than a decade with its previous provider, Old Dominion University's combined libraries jointly selected WMS for its scalability and strong alignment with the university's strategic direction and long-term needs. WMS is continually enhanced through ongoing communication and collaboration with library partners. The result is an advanced, flexible platform that continues to evolve to support student success and meet the complex challenges facing modern academic libraries. ⤵️ Read more. #OCLCwms #OCLCnews --- #OCLC #AcademicLibrary #AcademicLibraries #ResearchLibrary #ResearchLibraries #Library #Libraries #Librarian #Librarians #LibraryLife #LibraryLove

AI has advanced at a pace that has stunned even leading experts. These systems aren’t science fiction anymore—they’re reshaping work, relationships, and even crime in real time. ℹ️ Join OCLC's WebJunction on 21 May for a fast-paced, beginner-friendly overview of today’s most powerful AI systems, including AI's current capabilities and AI safety concepts that will help you and your library be more prepared to serve your communities. "Where is AI in 2026, and where is it going?" is presented by: 🟢 Andres Ramirez, AI Safety Awareness Project ⤵️ Register here. #WJwebinar --- #OCLC #EngagedLibraries #PublicLibrary #PublicLibraries #Library #Libraries #Librarian #Librarians #LibraryLife #LibraryLove

#EngagedLibraries cultivate community. 🪴 Got plants to spare? Looking to grow your plant collection? A Plant Swap at the DC Public Library turned those questions into a community moment. More than 100 people stopped by the library with the idea of bringing a houseplant or a cutting, trading with others, and heading home with something new. Along the way, people swapped more than plants. They shared tips, stories, and a whole lot of enthusiasm for growing things. One thing was clear: when you put plant lovers in a room together, good things grow. ⤵️ See the plant swap in action. --- 📲 What innovative programs and events are in full bloom at your library? Share your story on social media and include #EngagedLibraries in your post. You could be featured in an upcoming issue of Abstracts, on our community engagement hub, in an upcoming blog or video, or across our social media channels. --- #OCLC #PublicLibrary #PublicLibraries #AcademicLibrary #AcademicLibraries #Library #Libraries #Librarian #Librarians #LibraryLife #LibraryLove

You didn’t get into cataloging to spend your day fixing records. Our automated metadata services and industry partnerships eliminate redundant steps, which gives your staff time to work on other priorities. ⤵️ Watch this on-demand webinar to learn how these tools help you better connect people to knowledge. --- #OCLC #AcademicLibrary #AcademicLibraries #Library #Libraries #Librarian #Librarians #LibraryLife #LibraryLove

Instead of scheduled events with sign-ups and set times, passive programs are drop-in, do-it-your-way activities that run all day, all week, or even all month. Think scavenger hunts, coloring and art stations, self-serve book recommendations, and so on. These simple setups invite anyone who walks into the library to take part. You can reach kids, teens, students, faculty—essentially everyone—without planning multiple programs. It also gives library users a voice, sparks creativity, and naturally builds connection. Someone answering a prompt today might be chatting with staff tomorrow. ⤵️ Find creative, field-tested examples you can start using right away from OCLC's WebJunction. --- #OCLC #EngagedLibraries #PublicLibrary #PublicLibraries #Library #Libraries #Librarian #Librarians #LibraryLife #LibraryLove

The latest #OCLCresearch report offers insight and a framework to help libraries strengthen institutional positioning, retain influence, and demonstrate impact and value. In this #HangingTogether blog post, Brian Lavoie explores how to use the findings to clarify your library's relevance to the institutional research enterprise. "The Library Beyond the Library helps libraries navigate these trends by providing a framework and insights that support strategic planning aimed at elevating the library’s visibility and impact within its parent institution," Brian writes. While the report findings were derived in the context of research support services in academic libraries, we believe they apply equally to many other areas of strategic importance to academic libraries..." ⤵️ Read more. --- #OCLC #AcademicLibrary #AcademicLibraries #Library #Libraries #Librarian #Librarians #LibraryLife #LibraryLove

DevConnect 2026 continues through the end of May. Don't miss these upcoming sessions: 🟣 May 14: "What worked for me: Matching OCLC Numbers with the OCLC Search API V.2," featuring Minyoung Chung (University of Southern California) 🟠 May 21: "Transforming cataloging workflows at Boston Public Library with Snapicat, a new tool using the WorldCat Metadata API," featuring Jay L. Colbert and Michael P. Williams (Boston Public Library) 🟡 May 28: "Decisions, Data, and a Day in the Life: Product Management at OCLC," featuring Karen Combs and Sean Duffy (OCLC) This annual series of virtual events brings together OCLC experts and library developers to share API and technology insights. Topics span a variety of library areas, including cataloging efficiency, metadata quality, and digital archives analytics. By registering, you’ll receive session reminders and a link to each recording. ⤵️ Register now. --- #OCLC #PublicLibrary #PublicLibraries #AcademicLibrary #AcademicLibraries #Library #Libraries #Librarian #Librarians #LibraryLife #LibraryLove

#EngagedLibraries are spaces for creativity and fun. 🫟 Today’s libraries are often buzzing with exciting events and activities. Columbus Metropolitan Library in Ohio took that to another level, bringing in Elijah the Cup Guy to build one of his gravity-defying sculptures from thousands of plastic cups. The month-long event in April included live setup of the sculpture, workshops with the artist for patrons to build their own cup sculptures, and an explosive teardown event where everyone had the opportunity to knock down the massive structure. ⤵️ Watch Columbus' video. --- 📲 Does your library have displays or programming that allow the community to showcase their artistic expressions? Share your story on social media and include #EngagedLibraries in your post. You could be featured in an upcoming issue of Abstracts, on our community engagement hub, in an upcoming blog or video, or across our social media channels. --- #OCLC #PublicLibrary #PublicLibraries #AcademicLibrary #AcademicLibraries #Library #Libraries #Librarian #Librarians #LibraryLife #LibraryLove

Organizing and hosting events focused on media and information literacy topics can bring together teens and the larger community. 📱 Join OCLC's WebJunction on 12 May for an overview of two programmatic models for your library and partners to use in your community. "How to use media and information literacy events to engage teens and communities" is presented by: 🟢 Liz Crouse, University of Washington Center for an Informed Public 🟠 Valerie Coughlin, Hoboken Public Library ⤵️ Register here. #WJwebinar --- #OCLC #EngagedLibraries #PublicLibrary #PublicLibraries #Library #Libraries #Librarian #Librarians #LibraryLife #LibraryLove

Forward-thinking and inspirational, the OCLC Leaders Council is a prestigious global group of senior library leaders that represents our global membership by sharing insights on key library issues. In this first article in a series, we introduce the Leaders Council and share how their experiences, ideas, and strategic perspectives help shape OCLC’s strategy. Each article will highlight elements of the Council's work, as well as introduce a few of the exemplary library leaders who currently serve as Councilors. Our first Councilors to be featured: 🔵 Joseph Hafner, Dean of Libraries at York University and Chair of the OCLC Leaders Council 🇨🇦 🟢 Reinhard Altenhoener, Deputy General Director at Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin 🇩🇪 🟠 Chi-Shiou Lin, Library Director at the National Taiwan University 🇹🇼 🔵 Erna Winters, Network Manager for Public Libraries at KB nationale bibliotheek 🇳🇱 🟢 Brian Bannon, Director of Branch Libraries and Education and Chief Librarian at The New York Public Library 🇺🇸 ⤵️ Read more. #OCLCleaderscouncil