On Friday, June 9, OCLC and RLG announced that RLG member institutions have approved a proposal to combine operations with OCLC, clearing the way for two of the world’s largest membership-based information organizations to become one beginning July 1.
RLG’s online products and services are being integrated with OCLC’s, and RLG’s program initiatives are being continued as RLG-Programs, a membership-based organization that operates as a new division of OCLC Programs and Research to support architecture, standards development and best practices.
Staff from both organizations have been meeting since the proposal was announced in May to begin planning for the integration of systems, products and services. RLG’s online products and services will be integrated with OCLC’s as appropriate. For example, RLIN, the RLG Union Catalog, will be integrated into WorldCat, delivering economies of scale and reach that will benefit members of both RLG and OCLC.
An FAQ that includes information on the combined organization as well as updates on some specific products and services is at http://www.oclc.org/news/releases/oclcrlgfaq.htm. The FAQ is updated as information becomes available.
Rosario Garza
Acting Executive Director
BCR / 14394 E. Evans Ave. / Aurora CO 80014-1478
