Peter Scott reports that OCLC has given a name to the portal they have been developing. “WebJunction will be an online community where minds meet to share the ongoing successes and challenges of supporting public access computing.” When it launches sometime this month, it will be a forum for discussion related to providing open access and resources to support the cause. Looks like they did some good research (links available here).

At first glance, this seems like a great concept. A place to hash out the challenges of providing open access. But then one starts to consider OCLC’s motives in investing so heavily in such a community-building project. I smell a new service rising from the ashes of our collective wisdom. Perhaps OCLC is trying to get into the content management game. Imagine a portal or other form of content management system developed directly from the collaborative insight of unsuspecting, well-meaning librarians. Always be wary of the investor’s motives – what’s in it for them?

Update: After just a modicum of additional research, I learned that the true investors here are…who else, Bill and Melinda Gates, to the tune of $9 million. Here’s the original press release.