On Dec. 16, the library systems that supply information to discoverE will change, as the software that library staff uses to order, pay for, catalog and circulate library materials is replaced.

With the adoption of the new software, called Alma, library users will continue to use discoverE to search for library materials and to place requests (e.g. hold, reserves, renewals, etc.), but searching for ejournals will change. Library users will be able to search a new interface for ejournals A-Z directly within discoverE.

In order to accomplish this change, there will be some interruption of service over the winter holiday break. Starting on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. and continuing through Dec. 17, requesting, holds, recalls, e-shelf and other "my account" features in discoverE will be unavailable due to system migration. 

Library services will be affected in these ways from Dec. 11-17, and beyond:

• "My account" functions in discoverE (e.g. hold, reserves, etc.) will be offline from Dec. 11-16.
• Circulation checkouts and returns will continue to occur at the library service desk, but online renewals will be frozen (no fines or fees will be incurred).
• Course Reserves (Ares) will be accessible via Blackboard and directly at reserves.library.emory.edu, but the ability to add items from discoverE to Reserves will be unavailable until early January.
• Storage requests needed between Dec. 11-16 must be communicated directly to your library.
• Document delivery will be unavailable in discoverE until early January; you may place delivery requests via ILLiad during the transition period.
• Non-rush ordering of library collections will be suspended until Dec. 16.

One noticeable change will be the look and feel of ejournals access.  Starting on Dec. 21, ejournals@emory will redirect to a new ejournals A-Z list, found also as a tab of the library's discoverE tool. Integrating ejournal searching with all other library searching should benefit Emory students and researchers. Library users will also see a new screen when using the FindIt@Emory button.

Why the change?

The library system's goals for adopting Alma include:  

• Improving search, discovery, access and delivery of resources for library users and staff;
• Streamlining library workflows [purchasing, payment, cataloging, metadata, managing electronic resources, circulation] in all Emory libraries; 
• Refreshing applicable policies; 
• Reducing the amount of local application management needed to support the ILS; 
• Identifying, chartering, and staffing specialized working groups for the project and beyond;
• Opening up possibilities to partner with other institutions on shared work, such as in the Georgia Tech and Emory collaboration on the Library Service Center.

If you have any questions, please contact your library. For updates, visit the library systems blog.