Library and Information Science Education Program

The OCLC Library and Information Science Education Program can help your LIS school provide students with the skills needed to lead in today's library environment. This program provides your students with reduced or no cost hands-on use of reference, resource sharing, cataloging, and other OCLC services.

Who can participate?

• Library and Information Science schools accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada
• Colleges and universities offering a bachelor degree or higher in library and information science education
• Library/Media Technician training programs offering a certificate or associate degree
• Schools of library and information science that offer degrees comparable to those in the U.S. in the following regions: Asia Pacific, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

What services are available?

Discovery

• WorldCat Discovery —Discover more than 4 billion electronic, digital and physical resources with access to WorldCat and a central index that represents 3,156 e-content collections. See everything that is included in the central index (Excel).

Cataloging and metadata

• Connexion—Enables students to streamline original and copy cataloging with high-quality bibliographic and authority records.
• CatExpress service—Simplifies copy cataloging for students with an easy-to-learn and easy-to-use application. With CatExpress, designed for smaller libraries, students have access to records for all kinds of resources.
• Dewey Decimal Classification system—Complimentary access to WebDewey. An education licensing agreement is required.
• WorldShare Collection Manager—Enables students to simplify electronic and print workflows to increase collection visibility.
• WorldShare Record Manager—Streamlines students’ original and copy cataloging needs, like Connexion, with high-quality bibliographic and authority records.
• Cataloging Label Program—Ensures easy printing of labels for library materials by students.

Digital collections

• CONTENTdm software—Hosted at OCLC at no charge, provides students with hands-on experience with the software used in building digital collections for libraries and archives worldwide.

How can you participate?

In the United States:
LIS Program deans, directors and faculty may request access to OCLC services for classroom instructional purposes. To participate in the program, review the available OCLC services listed above and identify the service(s) your program desires to obtain. Then, access, complete and submit the OCLC LIS Education Program Services and Request Form. Agreeing to the OCLC LIS Education Program Terms and Conditions is required for participation.

In other countries:
Please contact Nancy Lensenmayer, OCLC Program Director, Education and Professional Development

Pricing

OCLC waives most charges under this program, including specified charges for OCLC systems and services. OCLC reserves the right to charge for unique items, such as royalty fees to suppliers or third parties.

LIS schools are responsible for any training fees, workstations and internet access to OCLC services.

OCLC Research opportunities

• University Research—OCLC supports research at universities to advance goals such as using WorldCat effectively, exploring the concept of the electronic library, and improving interface design and human/computer interaction.
• Distinguished Seminar Series—the Distinguished Seminar Series was established in 1978 to further stimulate the exchange of ideas. The topics represent areas of interest to the library and information science community.
  
• Webjunction—creates and curates free continuing education via courses, webinars, articles, and resources..

Learn more about current OCLC research projects and opportunities.