WebJunction

What WebJunction does

WebJunction is a free, online professional development platform for public library staff, operated as a division of OCLC, Inc. — a nonprofit global library cooperative headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. The platform delivers self-paced courses via its learning management system at learn.webjunction.org, supplemented by a content and webinar hub at webjunction.org, covering topics such as technology planning, digital literacy, AI in libraries, children's programming, community outreach, de-escalation, and digital collections stewardship. Signature offerings include the Library Foundational Training (LiFT) series, Supercharged Storytimes, Digital Collections Stewardship, the Euphorigen Investigation misinformation escape room (co-developed with the University of Washington Information School), and the Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces program.

The underlying technology is a web-based learning management system (learn.webjunction.org) hosting a course catalog alongside a content management platform (webjunction.org) for articles, project resources, and a webinar calendar; webinar delivery relies on Zoom, Cisco Webex, and Miro, with recordings stored in Microsoft OneDrive. OCLC holds ISO 27001 certification and commits to WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility, which WebJunction inherits. The platform is currently developing or has limited APIs for content access. Content is co-produced with research institutions (University of Washington Center for an Informed Public), federal funders (IMLS), and library associations (ARSL, Urban Libraries Council, IREX).

WebJunction operates as a freemium, community-led platform with no user fees. All services are free to individual library staff, funded by OCLC's organizational resources and grants from IMLS, state library agencies, and partner organizations. Distribution is entirely self-serve (global, digital) and supplemented by referral partnerships with state library agencies. There is no commercial sales motion, no pricing tiers, and no disclosed revenue; growth is driven by content expansion, strategic partnerships, and grant-funded projects.

Name

WebJunction

Legal name

WebJunction, a division of OCLC, Inc.

Website

https://webjunction.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WebJunction is a free online professional development platform for public library staff, operated by OCLC, offering self-paced courses, webinars, and resources on AI literacy, digital collections, community programming, and library operations across the U.S. and select international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519), Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Learning Content & Course Publishing Platforms (BPAMAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microlearning Content Libraries (Bite-Sized Lessons) (EDAFACAI), Online Public Speaking & Debate Programs (Live/Recorded) (EDAMAOAD)

Keywords

• Library professional development
• Online learning platform
• Library staff training
• Continuing education
• Library webinars

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Revenue model

1. Free Platform Services: WebJunction provides all services free of charge to individual library staff users. The platform is funded through OCLC's organizational resources and grants from supporting organizations including IMLS and state library agencies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WebJunction is a free online learning platform for public library staff, operated by OCLC. It delivers self-paced courses, live and recorded webinars, articles, and curated resource hubs covering technology planning, digital literacy, AI, children's programming, community outreach, staff management, and misinformation. Programming is funded by OCLC, IMLS grants, and state library agencies, and is created in collaboration with research institutions such as the University of Washington.

Product overview

WebJunction is a comprehensive online learning platform for libraries operated by OCLC, offering free professional development resources including a course catalog (learn.webjunction.org), live and recorded webinars, and various training programs. The platform's core offerings include the Course Catalog hosting courses like Library Foundational Training (LiFT), Supercharged Storytimes, and Digital Collections Stewardship; Webinars covering technology, programming, and library topics; and specialized programs such as The Euphorigen Investigation (misinformation escape room) and Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces. WebJunction also publishes the Crossroads newsletter and maintains topic areas covering Library Service, Management, Staff Training & Development, and Technology including AI content for libraries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Collaborative bridgebuilding project with IREX and Urban Libraries Council resulting in free on-demand course
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• University of Washington Center for an Informed Public (CIP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration on Empowering Informed Communities (EIC) project providing research-based media and information literacy resources for public libraries. WebJunction helps refine resources and produce professional development webinars based on CIP research.
• OCLC, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWebJunction is a division of OCLC, Inc. OCLC provides organizational infrastructure, governance, and funding for WebJunction operations. OCLC also shares privacy policies and terms of service for WebJunction services.
• IREXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with OCLC's WebJunction and Urban Libraries Council on a year-long bridgebuilding project resulting in free on-demand course 'An Introduction to Bridgebuilding: Creating a Library Where Everyone Belongs'.
• Urban Libraries CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with IREX and OCLC's WebJunction on bridgebuilding project for public libraries to strengthen community trust and connection.
• Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner for Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces program, providing expertise on small and rural library needs and helping recruit participating libraries.
• Project for Public SpacesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner for Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces, contributing expertise in public space design and community engagement methodology.
• State Library AgenciesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting organizations that receive limited personal data from WebJunction for purposes of reporting on library professional development. State libraries help distribute WebJunction resources to library staff in their jurisdictions.
• University of Washington Information SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Euphorigen Investigation misinformation escape room project. Faculty including Dr. Jin Ha Lee and Chris Coward developed the game. WebJunction hosts webinars and promotes the resource to libraries.
• Puzzle BreakmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEscape room game design partner led by Lindsey Morse (Chief Creative Officer) that created engaging puzzle mechanics for the Euphorigen Investigation misinformation game.
• News Literacy ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with WebJunction and Queens Public Library to deliver webinar on verifying online content. NLP provides education resources on news literacy for library programming.
• TechSoup for LibrariesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on free webinar series focused on Libraries and Social Media, including survey research on library social media usage patterns.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Califa Library Group: California-based library consortium offering training and shared digital content services to member libraries. Comparable regional peer in providing state-funded professional development to library staff.
• InfOhio: Ohio statewide library/information network providing online professional development and digital content to Ohio library staff — a regional peer operating in the same vertical with a similar free, state-funded model.

Direct peers

• Niche Academy: SaaS training platform purpose-built for public libraries, offering tutorial and course hosting with patron and staff-facing capabilities. Direct overlap with WebJunction in serving library staff professional development via online courses.
• TechSoup: Nonprofit providing discounted technology products, training, and resources to libraries and other nonprofits. Already an established WebJunction collaborator; competes for the same grant-funded library training budget and audience.
• Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL): National association dedicated to rural and small libraries, providing training, conferences, and resources. A current WebJunction implementation partner that also delivers competing continuing education in the same niche.
• Public Library Association (PLA): Division of the American Library Association serving public libraries, offering continuing education, training, and initiatives like Project Outcome. Closest peer in mission, audience, and programming.
• LYRASIS: Nonprofit library consortium providing technology, content, and training services to member libraries. Operates a parallel mission to WebJunction in delivering shared learning and digital infrastructure for the library sector.

Broad incumbents

• Library Journal: Leading library trade publication that also produces CE courses, webinars, and professional development content for librarians, overlapping with WebJunction's webinar programming.
• American Library Association (ALA): Largest US library professional association, offering a broad portfolio of conferences, certifications, e-learning, and publications that overlap with WebJunction's professional development catalog.

Emerging players

• San José State University iSchool: Leading US library/information science school offering MLIS programs, certificates, and CE courses for librarians. Overlaps with WebJunction's audience in formal library science continuing education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WebJunction
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/oclcresearch
• Facebookfacebook.com/WebJunctionNews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/webjunction

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WebJunction