April 2, 2024
Oakdale, MN, April 2, 2024—Bibliotheca has announced the sale of the cloudLibrary digital platform to OCLC, a nonprofit global library organisation.
Launched in 2011, cloudLibrary is a full-service digital platform that provides millions of eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, newspapers, and comics, as well as streaming video to nearly 500 libraries in 20 countries. Libraries make these collections available to their communities through cloudLibrary’s top-rated mobile app, while a web portal makes it easy for library staff to manage their subscriptions. A standalone service, cloudLibrary also integrates with Bibliotheca’s self-service solutions to provide recommendations and digital checkout within the physical checkout experience.
“We look forward to working closely with OCLC to ensure a smooth transition and maintain cloudLibrary’s deep integrations with Bibliotheca products,” said Joe Grillo, CEO of Bibliotheca. “This transition will allow us to focus on our core business offerings in library automation – self-service, security, materials handling, accessibility, and enhanced patron experience.”
The move to OCLC will provide cloudLibrary access to a world-class technology infrastructure and a network of public libraries that serve more than 50 million people worldwide.
“OCLC is a wonderful organisation, and we are excited about what this move will mean for cloudLibrary and the libraries that OCLC supports,” says Matthew Bellamy, President of Bibliotheca.
In addition to the digital assets of the platform, the cloudLibrary team has joined the staff of OCLC, bringing their deep product knowledge and relationships with publishers and library customers.
“We welcome the cloudLibrary team to the OCLC family. This acquisition expands our service to public libraries and reinforces our commitment to increasing access to information,” said Skip Prichard, OCLC President and CEO.
Progress Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor to Bibliotheca in this transaction.
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For more information, please access the official communication from OCLC.
About Bibliotheca
Bibliotheca is dedicated to the development of innovative technologies and library management solutions that help sustain and grow libraries around the world. Bibliotheca reimagines how libraries function, using integrated technology to inspire and delight all kinds of people, wherever they are: at home, on the move, or within the library walls.
Bibliotheca employs 400 people across 21 countries, partnering with 30,000 libraries to make the library experience—physical and digital—seamless, intuitive and inclusive.
For more information on this release, please contact
press@bibliotheca.com.
About OCLC
OCLC is a nonprofit global library organization that provides shared technology services, original research, and community programs so that libraries can better fuel learning, research, and innovation. Through OCLC, member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the most comprehensive global network of data about library collections and services.
Libraries gain efficiencies through OCLC’s WorldShare, a complete set of library management applications and services built on an open, cloud-based platform. It is through collaboration and sharing of the world’s collected knowledge that libraries can help people find answers they need to solve problems. Together as OCLC, member libraries, staff, and partners make breakthroughs possible.
OCLC, WorldCat and WorldShare are trademarks and/or service marks of OCLC, Inc. Third-party product, service and business names are trademarks and/or service marks of their respective owners.
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