Old Colony Library Network (OCLN)
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit consortium founded in 1984 that provides shared catalog, digital content, and network infrastructure services to 27 member libraries across the South Shore of Massachusetts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- Headquarters—
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) does
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) is a Massachusetts-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit library consortium founded in 1984 and headquartered in Braintree, Massachusetts. It operates as a cooperative of 27 member libraries on the South Shore of Massachusetts — 26 town and city public libraries plus one academic library, Quincy College Library — serving residents of member communities from Abington and Avon through Weymouth and Whitman. OCLN's stated purpose is to enable member libraries to deliver shared services that they could not afford individually, acting as a collective procurement and infrastructure body rather than a direct-to-patron service brand.
OCLN's core product is the unified OCLN Library Catalog, powered by Aspen Discovery (an open-source discovery platform supported by Equinox Open Library Initiative), which lets patrons search holdings, place holds, and manage accounts across all 27 member libraries from a single interface. Underlying this front end is a wide-area network infrastructure connecting member libraries with shared Internet access. The catalog is enriched through content and service integrations with OverDrive (eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks), NewsBank (regional Massachusetts newspapers including The Patriot Ledger and Brockton Enterprise), the New York Times (in-library and at-home access), Bowker/Syndetics (cover art, reviews, recommended reading lists), Ebsco NOVELIST (reader recommendations), and Stripe (online bill payment for patron accounts). Patron-facing features include SMS/text notifications and a self-service "My Account" portal.
OCLN is funded through a combination of member-community contributions and appropriations from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, which specifically supports its Internet connection and network operations. Its go-to-market is community-led: there is no direct consumer acquisition motion, since access flows through residents' local library cards and through the websites of the 27 member libraries. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; instead, member funding operates as a recurring cooperative assessment. The organization reports 5 employees, no subsidiaries, no parent company, no outside investment, and no funding rounds, consistent with a stable nonprofit operating model rather than a venture-backed growth entity.
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Old Colony Library Network (OCLN)
- Legal name
- Old Colony Library Network Inc.
- Website
- https://ocln.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit consortium founded in 1984 that provides shared catalog, digital content, and network infrastructure services to 27 member libraries across the South Shore of Massachusetts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Consortium Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
Keywords
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Member Community Funding: OCLN is funded by Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and member communities. The cooperative approach enables member libraries to share costs for services they would not be able to afford separately.
- Charitable Organization: OCLN is a 501(c)(3) corporation recognized as a charitable organization by the Massachusetts Attorney General's office
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OCLN operates a consortium of 27 member libraries (26 town/city public libraries plus one academic library) on the South Shore of Massachusetts, delivering shared catalog services via the Aspen Discovery platform, cooperative digital content licensing (eBooks, eMagazines, audiobooks, newspapers), and shared wide-area network infrastructure so members can offer services none could afford individually.
Product overview
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) is a consortium of 27 member libraries that operates as a unified library network. The primary product is the OCLN Library Catalog, powered by Aspen Discovery (supported by Equinox Open Library Initiative), which enables patrons to search across all member libraries, place holds, manage accounts, and access digital content. Digital content services include eBooks, eMagazines, and downloadable audio books via OverDrive, along with newspaper access through NewsBank and New York Times. The network also offers patron notification via SMS/Text Messaging and online bill payment through Stripe integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OCLN Library Catalog Unified library catalog system that allows patrons to search across all 27 OCLN member libraries, place holds, manage accounts, and access online collections. Powered by Aspen Discovery and supported by Equinox Open Library Initiative.
- Digital Content Services Shared access to eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks, newspapers, and research databases for residents of OCLN member communities through partnerships with OverDrive, NewsBank, and New York Times.
- Shared Network Infrastructure Wide-area network computing resources and shared Internet connectivity connecting all 27 member libraries, funded in part by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
- Online Patron Account and Bill Payment Patron self-serve account management features including PIN/password reset, account access through the My Account function, and online bill payment for library fees via Stripe integration.
Companies that use Old Colony Library Network (OCLN)
Customer profileNamed customers27 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature3 records
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- OverDrive, Inc.coreOCLN partners with OverDrive to provide eBooks, eMagazines, and downloadable audio books to residents of Old Colony Library Network Member communities.
- Massachusetts Board of Library CommissionerscoreThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners provides funding support for OCLN's Internet connection and network operations.
- Equinox Open Library InitiativecoreSupported by Equinox Open Library Initiative which provides the Aspen Discovery platform powering the OCLN catalog system.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bibliomation: Bibliomation is a Connecticut-based library consortium providing shared automation, catalog, and digital content services to member public and school libraries. It mirrors OCLN's regional cooperative model and library-services scope.
- Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing (CW MARS): CW MARS is another Massachusetts regional library cooperative providing shared catalog and resource-sharing services to its member libraries. It is structurally identical to OCLN — a Massachusetts-based multi-municipal library consortium — making it the closest direct comparator.
- Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC): MVLC is a regional library cooperative serving libraries in northeastern Massachusetts. Like OCLN, it provides shared catalog, interlibrary loan, and digital content services to a network of municipal libraries through a cooperative funding model.
- North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE): NOBLE is a Massachusetts-based library consortium serving libraries north of Boston. It operates a shared catalog and digital resource platform for its member libraries, making it a direct regional peer to OCLN.
Broad incumbents
- OCLC: OCLC is the largest global library cooperative, operating WorldCat and a broad suite of library management services. It is the broad incumbent in library cooperative services and serves as the strategic benchmark for consortia like OCLN.
- LYRASIS: LYRASIS is a large nonprofit technology and content services organization serving libraries, archives, and museums. It provides consortium-level technology, digital preservation, and content services that overlap with OCLN's role for its members.
Others
- Equinox Open Library Initiative: Equinox is the nonprofit that develops and supports Aspen Discovery, the discovery layer that powers OCLN's unified catalog. While not a peer consortium, it is a critical ecosystem partner and underlying technology provider for OCLN's services.
Regional players
- Califa Library Group: Califa is a California-based library consortium that negotiates group purchases and shared digital content for its member libraries. While geographically distant, it is a strong functional comparator to OCLN's consortium purchasing and digital content aggregation model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) social profiles
Digital presenceOld Colony Library Network (OCLN) compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Old Colony Library Network (OCLN)
What does Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) do?
OCLN operates a consortium of 27 member libraries (26 town/city public libraries plus one academic library) on the South Shore of Massachusetts, delivering shared catalog services via the Aspen Discovery platform, cooperative digital content licensing (eBooks, eMagazines, audiobooks, newspapers), and shared wide-area network infrastructure so members can offer services none could afford individually.
Is Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) a public or private company?
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) founded?
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) was founded in 1984. It employs 1 to 10 people.
How does Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Member Community Funding is the primary driver. The others are charitable Organization.
Who are Old Colony Library Network (OCLN)'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bibliomation, Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing (CW MARS), Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) and North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE). Broad incumbents are OCLC and LYRASIS. Equinox Open Library Initiative is listed as an others. Califa Library Group is listed as a regional player.
Does Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Old Colony Library Network (OCLN).
What industry is Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) in?
Old Colony Library Network (OCLN)'s product category is Public Library Consortium Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAF, Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing), with a secondary code of BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8600.