The Online Computer Library Center, Inc., also known as OCLC, is a global library cooperative that provides shared technology services, original research and community programs for its membership and the library community at large. Librarians, technologists, researchers and learners came together as OCLC to make information more accessible for users.
This collective environment also created WorldCat—the world’s largest library catalog. Used every day by faculty, staff and students, it houses the collections of 72,000 libraries in 170 countries and territories. It was created by the staff of OCLC—along with thousands of librarians and member libraries, such as University Libraries. Records are added to the database allowing users to find the information they need as soon as it is available.
This year marks OCLC’s 50th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, Terry Brandsma, Information Technology Librarian, submitted a blog post about the 4 millionth record that was entered into WorldCat from the Walker Clinton Jackson Library on June 24, 1978. The record, commonly referred to as a Gold Record, was for the 1963 thesis, Developing a Conservation Education Program for the Ann Arbor Public School System, and Integrating It into the Existing Curriculum (K–12), by William B. Stapp. Visit http://www.oclc.org/blog/main/join-the-celebration-oclcs-50th-anniversary/ to read his post in its entirety.