27 March 2020
Many content providers have offered free access to e-content collections to help maintain online services during the COVID-19 crisis. OCLC is actively partnering with global content providers to ensure access to these resources through OCLC cataloging, discovery, and resource sharing services.
Content providers are using a variety of models to open access to different types of content, including no-charge access to existing collections and special collections of information relevant to the current pandemic. In many cases, existing collections in the WorldCat knowledge base already contain the content newly available at no charge during this crisis. In other cases, OCLC will work with a content partner to create needed knowledge base collections that can be configured for MARC record delivery or access through services such as WorldCat Discovery, WorldCat.org, WorldShare Interlibrary Loan, Tipasa, and ILLiad.
OCLC is maintaining a growing list of this freely available content, which includes recommended options to access through OCLC services. This list will be updated as new information becomes available.
Those with questions or needing assistance should contact OCLC Support in your region.
OCLC’s full statement on COVID-19 is available and includes additional resources to assist libraries during this unique time.