MARC record can look intimidating however, they are not all of that complicated. MARC is just a file format standard that allows the recording of bibliographic data. Anyone can learn MARC and there are a number of very good open source programs that can be used to create a MARC record. There is no reason to pay for these services if you are able to download and install the proper software. For example the Koha ILS open source program has a feature where you type in bibliographic data such author, title, subject, etc into a form hit a button and it will create a valid MARC record for you. Once the MARC record is created you can then use Koha to display the MARC records through its built in Z39.50 search feature. (Z39.50 is a search feature that allows anyone to search, access and download MARC records from any libraries ILS software.)

I am a library director and I have used OCLC in my career. Your statements have a number of errors in them. OCLC is a user generated database. It is also a Union Catalog of all the libraries who use OCLC. It is also a means of sharing materials by using the Union Catalog for Inter Library Loans. If a library needs a MARC record (a digital bibliographic record in a very specific electronic format) it goes to OCLC to see if anyone else has that record. If no one has the record then the library creates the MARC record using common cataloging standards such as LC subject headings and Dewey Decimal Classification. Once the record is saved any other library can then use it for its own catloging. OCLC stores the record, keeps track of who owns the material. Libraries pay a geat deal of money for these services. Now OCLC is saying that this information which was not developed by them is there property and cannot be used without their permission.