The OCLC has revealed it will implement a new governance structure with the aim of encouraging greater collaboration from libraries and cultural heritage institutions around the world.

The OCLC Members council will become the Global council. Regional councils will elect delegates as representatives to form the Global council. The move is intended to aid communication and participation with regional bodies across the globe.

The transition period during the shift from Members council to Global council is expected to last between 12 to 18 months. The process will be overseen by current council members as well as a board of trustees.

Jay Jordan, OCLC President and CEO said “OCLC management will do what it takes to support the transition to the new governance model,” “We want and need to hear from the various regions of the OCLC co-operative. We want to improve the conversation at all levels throughout the co-operative.”

Also commenting on the announcement, Larry Alford, Chair OCLC Board of Trustees and Dean of University Libraries, Temple University said “I believe this is the next step to make the OCLC a true global co-operative, with local connections and local touch through regional councils”, adding “The Board remains deeply committed to libraries and other cultural heritage organisations as we continue to work cooperatively for the benefit of our users worldwide.”

As part of further recommendations to structure, the Members council also suggested in a resolution that the Regional councils “should be set up based on agreed upon principles. And that they are funded properly.” The resolution called for a “methodology that should be designed for broad representation of all types and sizes of institutions’ represented on Regional councils.”

“Many people with a deep commitment to libraries and to the OCLC cooperative worked very hard over many months to develop these governance recommendations. I am very grateful for their time and effort” said Alford.