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OCLC Costs
Introduction
All Montana libraries are welcome (encouraged!) to join OCLC via this contract. Individual library costs are based on a statewide three year (FY09-FY11) agreement with OCLC.
The Montana State Library Network Advisory Council has worked with State Library staff and OCLC to develop a cost sharing model:
- That shares OCLC costs equitably among Montana libraries
- Raises enough money to meet our obligation to OCLC
- Is as affordable as we can make it for all Montana libraries
The Montana State Library Commission has directed Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) contributions for access to OCLC's WorldCat through MLNCAT 
, part of Montana's group catalog contract with OCLC. This helps keep prices down for everybody.
Twenty-two Montana libraries contribute original cataloging to OCLC. Original cataloging libraries will use Connexion, [quoting OCLC] "OCLC's flagship cataloging service, a powerful, flexible suite of tools with built-in access to WorldCat, the world's largest bibliographic database."
Copy cataloging libraries wishing to become full cataloging or original cataloging OCLC members, may do so any time during the year. Libraries migrating to OCLC full cataloging status will pay more for OCLC services in subsequent years. These libraries will be required to send catalogers for cataloging training (at the library's expense), and, to reflect additional costs to OCLC, these libraries' annual costs will increase during subsequent years of this four-year agreement.
Full Cataloging Library Costs
If you're a full cataloging OCLC library, your library's OCLC cost increased 4% per year between FY2009-FY2011. Given most of your libraries' increases in resource sharing activity, this is a very good deal indeed.
OCLC set your library's base price in 2005. To our best knowledge, no lower price is available anywhere. Full cataloging libraries pay about three-quarters of Montana's statewide contract costs to OCLC. Full cataloging librarians' participation in this statewide group catalog contract helps out hundreds of other Montana libraries. Twenty-two Montana libraries are currently contributing original cataloging records to OCLC, which is much appreciated. Bottom line--everyone gets a good deal.
Your library's annual price for these OCLC services will increase 4% for FY2009. FY2010 and FY2011 annual prices will either increase also by 4% each year, or will change substantially, based on two upcoming efforts:
- the creation of a new cost sharing formula by a subcommittee of the MSL Network Advisory Council, and
- efforts during the FY09 legislative session to find state funding for a portion of our statewide OCLC costs.
Your library's annual price for these OCLC services will increase 4% for FY2009. This is a built-in increase, regardless of how much you used cataloging or interlibrary loan services. FY2010 and FY2011 annual prices will either increase also by 4% each year, or will change substantially, based on two upcoming efforts:
- the creation of a new cost sharing formula by a subcommittee of the MSL Network Advisory Council, and
- efforts during the FY09 legislative session to find state funding for a portion of our statewide OCLC costs
Your library's 'size' is measured by:
- Academic: FTE students
- Public: Paid staff based on FTE count
- Schools: OPI required librarians, linked to your September enrollment count
- Special: Paid staff based on FTE count
Table One: Copy Cataloging Annual Cost - Fiscal Year 2009
| Library Type | $1,808 | $1,491 | $1164 | $861 | $567 | $281 |
| Academic (FTE Students Enrolled) |
1,000 or more | 800 or more | 600 or more | 400 or more | 200 or more | Less then 200 |
| Public | 5 or more paid staff |
4 or more paid staff |
3 or more paid staff |
2 or more paid staff |
1 or more paid staff |
Less then 1 paid staff |
| Public/School Combined* |
See P/S note below |
See P/S note below |
See P/S note below |
See P/S note below |
See P/S note below |
See P/S note below |
| School (Student Enrollment) |
3 OPI certified librarians required (2,001 or more) |
2.5 OPI certified librarians required (1,501-2,000) |
2 OPI certified librarians required (1,001-1,500) |
1.5 OPI certified librarians required (501-1,000) |
1 OPI certified librarian required (251-500) |
0.5 or less OPI certified librarian required (0-250) |
| Special | 5 or more paid staff |
4 or more paid staff |
3 or more paid staff |
2 or more paid staff |
1 or more paid staff |
Less then 1 paid staff |
* Public/School combined libraries' fair share of the statewide OCLC contract has been determined to be their cost calculated as if they were either a school library, or a public library, whichever is higher. Being combined, these libraries do not have to pay the sum of their public and school shares; however, in the interest of statewide fairness and equity, they do pay the single higher amount.
