New Library System for UW. New Online Catalog for Everyone
The University of Warsaw Library and the faculty libraries of the University of Warsaw have been working for many months on the implementation of a new system that supports a range of complex library processes (acquisition, cataloging, user account management, search, etc.). The complete transition to the new system will take place at the end of November this year.
Why is the change necessary?
Implementation of a new system is imperative due to the technological obsolescence of the current Virtua/Chamo system.
In order to provide optimal solutions for the University community, BUW collaborates with the National Library of Poland to implement the advanced Alma library management system and the Primo search engine.
What is Alma?
Alma is a next-generation cloud-based library system developed by Ex Libris in collaboration with Boston College, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Princeton University Library and Purdue University Library. In Poland, the National Library was the first to implement the Alma system, creating shared catalogues of Polish libraries.
Why Alma?
Alma is an integrated library system that streamlines collection, cataloging and other library processes. This allows librarians to save time and focus on providing better services to users. Alma is a cloud solution, which means that it will not require large investments in hardware and additional software. It provides powerful reporting tools that offer valuable insights into the library’s collection usage. This data helps to make informed decisions about resource allocation and acquisitions, ensuring your library remains dynamic and responsive to user needs.
Why Primo?
Primo offers a modern, intuitive interface that facilitates searching in the online catalog, both in the resources of a given library and in other libraries in Poland. It is possible to filter and narrow search results, making it easier to find specific items. Thanks to integration with the catalogs of other libraries, Primo provides access to a much larger number of books, magazines and other materials. Primo offers a number of new features, such as creating wish lists, saving search results, managing saved lists, and setting notifications about the availability of publications in areas of interest to the user. Through a transparent and easy-to-use account, the users can manage their rentals and reservations online. Primo is available from any device with Internet access.
How to prepare?
BUW will be open to users all the time, it will be possible to use Open Stacks collections on site, and access to BUW e-resources will be possible with time restrictions.
Since registration to BUW, loans and returns will be suspended before switching to the target system, it is worth taking care of setting up a library account, familiarizing yourself with the reading lists and borrowing the necessary materials in advance. In the new system, a list of currently borrowed items will be visible in the user’s account. However, the borrowing history (books borrowed and already returned) will not be transferred from the old system. Therefore, it is worth downloading the rental history in advance and keeping it in your private resources. Orders and reservations will also not be transferred. In the case of items for which the waiting queue is long, it is worth writing down their details and ordering them again in the new system.
BUW and the libraries of the organizational units of the University of Warsaw will keep you informed about any difficulties related to the implementation of the system in its final phase. During the holiday season, librarians and librarians undergo intensive training on how to use the ultimately configured system, and tutorials for users will be available from December.
Published: 18 July 2024