# cloudLibrary

> software application

**Wikidata**: [Q130327190](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130327190)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CloudLibrary)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cloudlibrary

## Summary
cloudLibrary is a software application and digital platform designed for end-users, primarily utilized within the library and information technology sectors. Originally launched in 2011, it is a United States-based service currently owned and operated by the global library cooperative OCLC, Inc., which acquired the platform in April 2024.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Software application and digital platform designed for end-users.
- **Owner:** OCLC, Inc. (Ownership effective April 2, 2024).
- **Former Owner:** Bibliotheca.com (Ownership ended April 2024).
- **Inception:** 2011.
- **Country of Origin:** United States.
- **Headquarters (Current Owner):** Dublin, Ohio, United States.
- **Aliases:** Cloud Library, OCLC Cloud Library, CloudLibrary by OCLC, yourcloudlibrary.com.
- **Website:** `https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/`
- **Privacy Policy:** `https://download.yourcloudlibrary.com/apps/CloudLibrary_Privacy.html`

## FAQs
### Q: Who owns cloudLibrary?
As of April 2, 2024, cloudLibrary is owned by OCLC, Inc., a global library cooperative. It was previously owned by Bibliotheca.com.

### Q: When was cloudLibrary created?
The cloudLibrary application was initially launched or established in 2011.

### Q: What type of software is cloudLibrary?
cloudLibrary is classified as a software application and digital platform designed for end-users, operating within the library, archive, and information technology industries.

## Why It Matters
cloudLibrary serves as a significant digital tool in the library sector, acting as a bridge between library services and end-users. Its acquisition by OCLC, Inc. in April 2024 highlights a major consolidation within the library technology landscape. OCLC, a nonprofit global cooperative founded in 1967, manages a vast network of library metadata and services; integrating cloudLibrary into this ecosystem enhances the cooperative's ability to provide comprehensive digital solutions.

The platform's existence reflects the shift in library activities toward digital access and information technology. By providing a dedicated application for libraries, it supports the modernization of archival and museum activities, allowing institutions to serve their communities through digital channels. Its longevity, having operated since 2011, demonstrates its established role in the industry.

## Notable For
- **Recent Acquisition:** Its transition from Bibliotheca.com to OCLC, Inc. on April 2, 2024, marks a significant shift in its operational oversight.
- **Industry Alignment:** It is specifically tailored for the libraries, archives, and museums sector, distinct from general consumer software.
- **Global Cooperative Backing:** It is operated by OCLC, a major entity in library technology founded in 1967 with headquarters in Dublin, Ohio.
- **Digital Focus:** It is defined explicitly as a "digital platform," emphasizing the modernization of user access to library resources.

## Body

### Ownership and Corporate History
cloudLibrary is currently owned and operated by **OCLC, Inc.**, a global library cooperative. This ownership structure began on **April 2, 2024**. Prior to this acquisition, the platform was owned by **Bibliotheca.com**, with their ownership concluding in April 2024.

OCLC, Inc. is a longstanding organization in the library sector, originally founded on July 5, 1967. The cooperative is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio (United States) and operates within the libraries, archives, museums, and information technology industries.

### Application Profile
The entity is defined as a **software application** and a **digital platform**. It was originally developed and launched in **2011**. The software falls under the class of programs designed for end-users, specifically facilitating library and archive activities.

### Technical and Online Presence
The platform maintains a primary web presence at `https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/` and is also accessible via `https://www.oclc.org/en/cloudlibrary.html`. It is known by several aliases, including "Cloud Library," "OCLC Cloud Library," and "CloudLibrary by OCLC."

The application has a specific privacy policy hosted in English, reflecting its compliance with user data standards. The service is categorized as originating from the **United States**.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.oclc.org/en/cloudlibrary.html)
2. [Source](https://www.oclc.org/en/news/releases/2024/20240402-cloudlibrary-now-part-of-oclc.html)
3. [Source](https://download.yourcloudlibrary.com/apps/CloudLibrary_TOU.html)
4. [Source](https://www.bibliotheca.com/cloudlibrary-finds-a-new-home-in-oclc/)
5. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20231002012829/https://www.bibliotheca.com/solutions/ebooks-audiobooks/)