from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
<library> (OCLC) A nonprofit membership organisation offering
computer-based services and research to libraries, educational
organisations, and their users. OCLC operates the OCLC
Cataloging PRISM service for cataloging and resource sharing,
provides on-line reference systems for both librarians and
end-users, and distributes on-line electronic journals.
OCLC's goals are to increase the availability of library
resources and reduce library costs for the fundamental public
purpose of furthering access to the world's information. The
OCLC library information network connects more than 10,000
36,000 libraries worldwide. Libraries use the OCLC System for
cataloguing, interlibrary loan, collection development,
bibliographic verification, and reference searching. Their
most visible feature is the OCLC Online Union Catalog (OLUC)
WorldCat (the OCLC Online Union Catalog).
(http://oclc.org/).
(2000-03-23)