OLAC stands for Open Language Archives Community. It is an international partnership of institutions and individuals, aiming at creating a worldwide virtual library of language resources. OLAC was founded in 2000. The reason behind the foundation of the OLAC was to connect diverse communities, which are engaged in research, creation and development of linguistic resources. It was also to allow access for all users of those resources.

During the last years since the establishment of the community, OLAC achieves a large number of data and tools for linguistic research provided for general use. It develops a network of interoperating repositories and services for housing and accessing linguistic resources. It also allows independent and objective advice, standards and recommendations for creation, archiving and using language resources.