Ex Libris®, a ProQuest company, is pleased to announce that the Library of the University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam, or UvA) and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool van Amsterdam, or HvA) has selected the Ex Libris Alma® library services platform. The Alma adoption will help the universities improve the management of their growing e-resource collection and introduce operational efficiencies that will free librarians to deliver enhanced services. The Ex Libris Primo® discovery and delivery solution, which is already in use at the library, will be integrated with the Alma platform.
In 2009, the library implemented the Ex Libris Aleph® integrated library system, which has fulfilled the library’s needs thus far. However, the library recognized that it must now move to a platform that can manage the universities’ print collection and rapidly growing collection of electronic and digital resources. With the library’s system hardware due to be replaced in 2019, an extensive investigation into the possibilities of upgrading to a next-generation library management platform was carried out.
In particular, the library sought a solution that would provide smooth, integrated workflows to minimize the increasing burden that the management of e-resources places on librarians. Moving to a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution would free up resources that could be redirected to the support of education and research. Furthermore, by unifying workflows for print, electronic, and digital resources, the library would be able to showcase all collections, including heritage collections.
Library Director Maria Heijne noted, “Our aim is for students, teachers, and researchers to be able to find their sources and information at the UvA/HvA Library according to their needs. With a modern library system that provides more efficient and integrated workflows for staff, we will be able to strengthen and improve our services to all our stakeholders. In 2021, we will be moving the central UvA library to a new location. To avoid undertaking this major project at the same time as the implementation of a new library service, we need a system that can be implemented quickly. The Alma platform satisfies all of these requirements.”
Ofer Mosseri, corporate vice president and general manager of Ex Libris EMEA, said, “I am delighted to welcome the library of the University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences to the Alma community, as an active partner in planning the continuous innovations for the platform. Alma is a state-of the-art solution that is suited to large academic libraries, such as UvA/HvA, as well as smaller institutions. I am pleased that we will be able to continue our nine-year relationship as the library’s trusted partner.”
