How do I offset animation start in a linked blend? I have a resource file containing a model with materials and animation tracks (NLA action strips) that I want to re-use in another Blend file.
In the resource file I created a group containing the objects I wanted to re-use (excluding a ground plane, lights, cameras etc)
In my set file, I linked the resource file group to the scene as a group instance.  I've added other objects to the scene and created additional animation tracks.
When I play back the animation, the linked object starts playing its animation track at frame zero.
I'm looking for a way to offset or stall playback of the linked files animation track in the set files timeline.  Is that possible?
If not, is there another way I could re-use my resource file objects and animation in a way that allows me to update the set file if the resource file changes?
I've attached links to files that can serve as an example in this case:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qdkqh6fgu80hxiv/linked_ani_set_file.blend
https://www.dropbox.com/s/oh3wirvbh02znrt/linked_ani_resource_file.blend
I don't know if you have solved your problem, but, I had the same situation of  your. 

I would like to offset the entire linked objects animation, but it don't appear in the NLA panel without make proxies. In my case, my rosource file has more than 50 animated objects, it's impracticable to make proxies of each one and then offset each nla strip.

My solutions was:
When you thing in animation in Blender, think in armatures! Do not animate objects, animate bones! I've changed my resources files and add one armature to each one. Each object is child of one bone, and the animation is made on the bone. Therefore, when you link your resource, you make only one proxy (the armature) and only one nla offset (the armature's nla).

I hope that I've helped