UW System Libraries Unite to Improve User Experience

April 8, 2015
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**UPDATE AS OF Apr. 23, 2015**

The UW System Libraries will implement a statewide migration to a new Library Services Platform in May 2015. The transition will allow for the first ever full integration of the UW System Libraries. Once the migration is complete, faculty, students, and staff across the entire UW System will benefit from the features offered by the new platform.

Using library resources throughout the University of Wisconsin System is about to get easier. After nearly two years of intensive work, libraries around the system will migrate to a unified library services platform (LSP) in May.

It’s a transition designed to provide for greater user efficiency and collaboration, UW–Madison library officials say, and will mark the first time in UW history that the libraries will operate on a unified system.

The cloud-based service, called Alma, is intended to enhance the discovery and sharing of resources available to all UW System libraries, while reducing the duplication of efforts.

“The system-wide transition to Alma is an investment in library technology that positions us to work in collaboration with partners across the UW System and beyond,” says Lee Konrad, associate university librarian for technology strategy and data services. “These capabilities are critical to both sustaining and advancing the work of a 21st century research library.”

Key Dates

  • What does this mean for me?

    During the transition there are critical dates during which some services will be impacted. Our staff are working diligently to minimize any library service disruptions during this time.

  • April 9 – Transition to the new system begins. UW System borrowing will be disabled. Use ILL to get items from other UW campuses.
  • April 21 – New titles will not be added to the catalog until after May 20.
  • May 1 – To ensure material is available for the start of the summer session, instructors will need to submit reserves requests by May 1.
  • May 4 – Requesting UW-Madison items will be disabled in the Library Catalog and MadCat.
  • May 20 – Transition to the new system complete.

“We anticipated that our patrons will benefit from a more coherent and unified set of policies and practices across the UW System,” Konrad says.

As the migration nears, UW Libraries wants to reassure patrons that they anticipate minimal disruption in service. An FAQ page has been created to assist users with any questions they may have about the new system or their accounts, and provide assistance and guidance during the transition. Users can contact UW Libraries with questions or suggestions about the transition.