Following 13-month Process, New Search Tool Deployed at ODU Libraries

June 23, 2016

The Old Dominion University Libraries' Catalogue and Discovery Tool is receiving an upgrade.

Following a seven-month evaluation of vendors and products, ODU Libraries have selected the state-of-the-art systems Alma and Primo from Ex Libras.

Alma is the back-end system that Libraries staff will use to process resources, and Primo is the search and discovery tool for users.

The two systems integrate seamlessly and will significantly improve the Libraries' ability to provide easy and accurate linking to full-text online content and facilitate the discovery of print and electronic resources.

The ODU Libraries' implementation task force has worked for the past six months to prepare for the migration of its catalogue and discovery tool, currently known as EBSCO, to Alma and Primo.

"From our initial research phase, up to and including our current implementation process, this change has really involved all members of the University Libraries and has been a true team effort," said Ashley Brewer, information delivery services librarian for ODU Libraries and the project manager for this changeover.

"The implementation task force, which comprises Libraries' staff and librarians, has really put a huge amount of time, effort and care into not only making this transition as smooth as possible, but making sure we're really making the most of this opportunity to improve our operational efficiency and the research experiences for our library users. We're all very excited about the improved services we'll be able to provide with this new system."

James Rhoades, social sciences librarian and member of the Alma/Primo implementation task force, said the next-generation discovery tool will provide greater accuracy and ease of searches for books, articles and other ODU Libraries' resources. "It truly replicates one-stop shopping by creating a one-click experience," he said.

With the migration to Alma and Primo on July 1, the ODU Libraries will be able to better support instruction and research at the University in the coming years.

Because of the migration, reserve materials for courses that begin on June 27 will not be processed until the week of July 3.

Following implementation, the ODU Libraries' instruction team and public services departments will provide instruction and assistance in learning how to use the new discovery tool. The Libraries' website will continue to be updated with new information.

Early in the fall semester, faculty and students will have opportunities to learn more about conducting research with the new tool through in-person workshops and online learning tools.

For more information about this project, please contact Brewer at abrewer@odu.edu.