Major Library System Upgrade

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Systems changed include: Books & Media Catalog, Online Journal Titles search, eBooks search, Course Reserves, and Library Account.

Duke University Libraries has migrated our Library Services Platform (LSP) from a product called Aleph, which we began using in 2004, to Alma, which we launched on July 10, 2024.

  • The LSP is the staff-facing application we use to manage the 7.5 million physical and electronic resources that comprise our collections, such as books, eBooks, Online Journals, DVDs, streaming media, music scores, microforms, archival manuscripts, and more
  • We use the LSP to track items in our collections from initial acquisition through storage to circulation
  • Data from the LSP is synced with our public-facing Books & Media Catalog, eBooks search, Online Journal Titles search, Course Reserves, and many other patron-facing Library search platforms
  • Alma will enhance core functions for the Libraries' operations including selection, licensing, acquisition, metadata management, and circulation

Known issues

Patrons may encounter the following issues when using Library search platforms — Library staff are working to resolve these issues.

Books & Media Catalog

  • Some catalog records may include inaccurate location or availability information
    • Workaround: Click the Request button to see the most up-to-date information
  • Some electronic resources such as eBooks and Online Journals may be missing the View Online link
  • Titles with a large number of holdings may not display all items
    • Workaround: Click the Request button to see a complete list of items for that title
  • Some records for physical items are displayed in the catalog even though they cannot be requested; in many cases, these records represent items that are no longer part of our collections
  • Some catalog records erroneously include a View Online link for a table of contents that does not work
  • Newly cataloged items are not being displayed when the New Titles facet is selected
  • Duplicate records may be displayed for some electronic resources such as eBooks and Online Journals
  • Visitors to Duke University Libraries who do not have a Duke NetID or Duke OneLink account must use the Guest Request form to request delivery of items from the Library Service Center for onsite use within Duke University Libraries (the green Request button can only be used by members of the Duke community who have a NetID or OneLink account)

Online Journal Titles

  • Duplicate records may be displayed for some Online Journals in search results
  • When searching for Online Journal Titles, you will likely experience better results if you begin your search at the Online Journal Titles search page

eBooks

  • Duplicate records may be displayed for some eBooks in search results
  • When searching for eBooks, you will likely experience better results if you begin your search at the eBooks search page

Search results platform for Articles, Online Journal Titles, and eBooks

  • Articles, Online Journal Titles, and eBooks search results are primarily displayed using our Summon-based platform
  • If you adjust this Summon-based platform to display physical items from library collections, you will not see a Request button; if you need to request physical items from library collections, you must begin your search from within the Books & Media Catalog

Key changes

Library Account

  • A Duke NetID or OneLink account are required to access a Library Account.

Books & Media Catalog

  • Most titles now display availability information next to the holding location rather than next to the individual item call numbers
  • You can click the Request button to see up-to-date availability information for each of the items held for a title
  • Visitors to Duke University Libraries who do not have a Duke NetID or Duke OneLink account must use the Guest Request form to request delivery of items from the Library Service Center for onsite use within Duke University Libraries (the green Request button can only be used by members of the Duke community who have a NetID or OneLink account)

Online Journal Titles

  • When searching for Online Journal Titles, you will likely experience better results if you begin your search at the Online Journal Titles search page
  • Search results for Online Journal Titles are now displayed using our Summon-based platform
  • Most search results will include a Browse Now button; clicking the Browse Now button will provide the most direct access to a list of issues and articles for that Journal Title
  • You can now browse online journals by subject using the link at the bottom of the Online Journal Titles search page

eBooks

  • When searching for eBooks, you will likely experience better results if you begin your search at the eBooks search page
  • Search results for eBooks are displayed using our Summon-based platform

Course Reserves

  • Students will now see Course Reserves displayed within a course's site in Canvas
  • Instructors can now use Canvas to place items on reserve; see the Course Reserves page to learn more about placing items on reserve

Contact us

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