Led by librarians on behalf of libraries
OCLC operates under principles and systems of shared governance across several groups: Leaders Council, the Board of Trustees, and the OCLC Executive Management Team.
Our members guide the development of OCLC’s programs, policies, strategy, and services. That responsibility is reflected in our leadership structure.
Leaders Council
Leaders Council includes 24 appointed library leaders from the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. These councilors share library perspectives to help inform the OCLC leadership team and the Board of Trustees on the key issues facing its member libraries. Councilors are also responsible for electing six members to the OCLC Board of Trustees.
Board of Trustees
The 15-member Board of Trustees approaches its responsibilities in a unique way—it answers to and represents members, not shareholders or venture capitalists. The Board guides the vision and shape of OCLC’s strategy and goals. It also fulfills the fiduciary duty of protecting OCLC’s shared assets and investments. In addition, the Board is responsible for recruiting and working with the President and CEO, and for monitoring OCLC through a dedicated audit process. The Board meets four times a year and its work is done by seven committees:
| Committee | Description |
|---|---|
| Audit Committee | Together with the Board and executive management, the Audit Committee evaluates the performance of independent auditors, reviews auditors' plans and processes, and reviews audited financial statements. This committee also oversees risk assessment and mitigation plans. |
| Board Governance Committee | Assists in maintaining continuity of Board membership and managing the internal affairs and self evaluation of the Board. The Committee also assists with other duties assigned to it by the Board. |
| Executive Committee | The chairs of each committee, the Board Chair and the President and CEO coordinate the work across the Board committees. The Executive Committee exercises the authority of the Board in the management of the affairs of the corporation when the board is not in session. |
| Finance and Investment Committee | Responsible for the oversight of the financial health of OCLC. The Finance Committee reviews interim and annual financial results and the annual budget plan, the approval of loans, capital expenditures, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and special expenditures. This committee also reviews long-term investment policy and banking resolutions and recommends action by the Board. |
| Joint Membership Committee | Reviews and updates membership and governance protocols, which determine how membership is defined. The committee is comprised of both Board members and Leaders Council members, and contributes to the formation and constitution of the Leaders Council. |
| Personnel and Compensation Committee | Provides oversight review of compensation and benefits for the employees of the corporation. This committee evaluates and reports to the Board of Trustees on matters concerning management performance, employee compensation and personnel policies, management development and continuity plans, and approves (but does not administer or manage) employee compensation and benefit programs. |
| Committee on Technology Planning | Evaluates and reports to the Board on appropriate matters related to technology, including OCLC's engagement with emerging technologies that appear well-suited to helping libraries better serve their user communities. |
OCLC Board of Trustees
Chair, OCLC Board of Trustees
The Norman and Armena Powell University Librarian (retired)
University of California, Los Angeles
Director of DANS
DANS is an institute of KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and NWO (Dutch Research Council)
OCLC Executive Management Team
The OCLC Executive Management Team brings expertise to OCLC from the technology, business, and library industries. Learn more about the Presidents of OCLC—past and present.
