Connecting the Dots

Event list

See our event listings for more webinars.

View recording

Date: 16 April 2025

Watch this on-demand recording to see how public libraries are combining OCLC solutions to create efficient workflows for library staff and enhanced experiences for patrons.

This 30-minute demonstration includes:

• Real-world examples from public libraries
• Strategies for discovering materials beyond your collection
• Tips for improving request accuracy and completeness

View recording

Date: 19 March 2025

Libraries can’t own every item their patrons may want. That’s why, with the world’s largest resource-sharing network, your library can provide patrons with extensive access to materials from libraries’ collections across your state, region, or even the U.S. OCLC’s innovative resource sharing tools make it easier and more efficient than ever to connect your community to the resources they need, when they need them.

Watch this 30-minute overview of how your library can harness the power of resource sharing by:

• Streamlining workflows with a cloud-based ILL management system that’s intuitive for both library staff and patrons
• Leveraging OCLC’s network of 10,000+ libraries to fulfill your patrons’ requests
• Increasing efficiency with system integrations, while minimizing manual work and eliminating need for IT support

Discover how OCLC’s commitment to innovation empowers your library to provide seamless access to the resources your community need.

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Date: 12 March 2025

Meeting your community’s digital content needs – in addition to all your other efforts – can be challenging. With time and budget constraints, it can be difficult to provide the seamless digital content access your patrons expect.  

 CloudLibrary is an intuitive all-in-one digital content platform that offers the most ways to experience digital content – with options including eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers, magazines, comics, and streaming video. With CloudLibrary, you can inspire patrons to create their own digital content experience – all without compromising your budget.

Watch this 30-minute webinar to learn how CloudLibrary will help your library:

• Reduce hold times for popular content, utilizing CloudLink – CloudLibrary’s unique sharing model
• Maximize your budget using CloudLibrary’s Prioritized Pay-Per-Use (PPU) model
• Simplify digital content discovery and access for your patrons, by delivering various content types in one, easy-to-use app

View recording

Date: 19 November 2024

In an increasingly virtual world, it is crucial for public libraries to maximize their reach and connect with their communities effectively.

This webinar will explore how to enhance the visibility of your library's resources for people who begin their searches on search engines and nonlibrary websites. 

View this 30-minute webinar and you will:

• Discover how to amplify the reach of your library's resources with the power of WorldCat
• Learn practical strategies to optimize your library's presence in WorldCat.org and make your collections discoverable to a global audience
• Understand how to connect with potential patrons and increase community engagement through WorldCat.org

View recording

Date: 7 August 2024

As a cloud-based, customizable ILL management system, OCLC’s Tipasa helps simplify ILL complexities with an easy-to-use interface for you and an exceptional experience for your patrons.

Tipasa connects your library to the collections of more than 10,000 libraries through OCLC’s resource sharing network. This significantly enhances access to materials beyond your library’s or group’s own collections.

See this 45-minute overview of how Tipasa helps public libraries: 

• Track and manage ILL activity more easily
• Streamline workflows and save staff time
• Increase patron engagement throughout the ILL process with a library-branded user interface available in 18 languages

View recording

Date: 22 February 2024

The public library landscape is continuously changing in a variety of ways, such as evolving community needs and expectations, technology improvements, and budgetary constraints.

OCLC is committed to working with and supporting public library leaders and staff, and empowering them with research resources and training to help them advance strategically.

See this 45-minute webinar to learn about OCLC Research and WebJunction. You'll gain valuable information about:

• ​​​Research for public libraries that is new and forthcoming
  
• Training programs to help you serve your users better
• ​​​​How you can take part in these programs

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Date: 24 January 2024

Learn how to enrich the value of your services with the OCLC Community Center: A dynamic, virtual space dedicated to enhancing collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the overall impact of collective work in an ever-changing environment.

In this 30-minute webinar, you will learn:

• Where to receive the latest updates on product releases and activities
• How to gain valuable leadership experience by serving on leadership teams and committee
• Ways to collaborate with your peers

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Date: 15 November 2023

Explore why WorldCat is the cornerstone of interlibrary loan success for public libraries—essential for meeting the diverse needs of library users worldwide. OCLC's interlibrary loan network leverages WorldCat's extensive database so your library can swiftly deliver requested materials to your users while streamlining workflows and boosting efficiency.

In this 30-minute webinar, you’ll learn how OCLC’s interlibrary loan services help libraries by:

• Enabling ILL workflow automations that decrease staff mediation and speed delivery
• Saving staff time by preventing requests for items you don’t own
• Including a branch management feature and the ability to efficiently create book club requests

View recording

Date: 1 November 2023

A 30-minute webinar demonstration to show you how to maximize benefits from WorldCat® holdings

When your library collections are present in WorldCat, people can find your resources through the FirstSearch®, WorldCat Discovery, and WorldCat.org services. Your WorldCat holdings also enable people to connect to your library from search engines and nonlibrary websites they often consult first when looking for information.

This webinar includes a live demonstration of how WorldCat holdings enable users to: ​​​​​

• Connect with libraries from popular sites like Google Search, Goodreads, Google Books, Wikipedia, and FamilySearch
• Find items in library collections through WorldCat searches on FirstSearch, WorldCat Discovery, and WorldCat.org
• Maximize the benefits your library receives through OCLC's web visibility program

View recording

Date: 24 October 2023

A 30-minute webinar to help you develop quality records, boost efficiency, amplify your library’s impact, and advance the collective collection through collaboration

You’ll learn how OCLC delivers the tools you need to:

• Describe the scholarly and cultural record through WorldCat
• Simplify cumbersome metadata management processes for print and electronic resources
• Connect your collection to others and enhance the services your library offers
• Make your collections visible and accessible to your community and information seekers

View recording

Date: 4 October 2023

A 30-minute webinar to learn more about WorldCat and how it ​​​supports library functions, helps your library become more visible, and facilitates DEI initiatives

Public libraries benefit in many ways from the quality data found in WorldCat—the world’s most comprehensive source of information about library collections. Representing your collections in WorldCat can help address challenges public libraries face by providing the foundation for cataloging, resource sharing, and discovery.