The world of libraries has long been highly networked: They exchange information, start collaborations and share cataloging data, and they also provide their local users with convenient access to the collections of other libraries via interlibrary loan without having to move. The large-scale, state-wide "GO:AL" project will soon enable university libraries in NRW to work together even more uniformly and more easily.
The aim of the project, which is funded by the State Ministry of Culture and Science, is for all university libraries in the state to use the same cloud-based library system: "Alma" from ExLibris. The software brings together many areas of work for which individual applications were previously used, such as acquisitions, cataloging, user management, license management, lending and reminders. The decision to use a cloud solution is based on the needs of modern academic libraries and takes into account the requirements of digitization, which has been advancing in the library sector even before the coronavirus pandemic.
Extensive preparatory work is already underway
One of the 43 institutions that will gradually switch to Alma by 2023 is the library at Fachhochschule Dortmund. In its case, the changeover will be completed in August 2022. A project team of seven library employees has been working intensively on the preparations since 2019. These are extremely extensive: "It's not just about the very complex transfer of our data in terms of media and users, but also about developing completely new workflows for a large part of the tasks within the library," explains project manager Thomas Zachlod. The training of employees is also time-consuming and requires careful planning: "After all, everyone who works in the library must be able to use the new system from the cut-off date at the beginning of August, without exception," says Zachlod.
Update for literature search engine RiO
Users, on the other hand, will not have to change, as almost everything will remain the same - but only almost. As part of the changeover, the RiO (Recherche in Orange) literature search engine will be visually modified, optimized and enhanced with a number of practical functions. For example, the individual library account will be integrated directly into the RiO interface so that users can view their currently borrowed media and the associated loan periods without any detours. They can also create watch lists directly during research. While the system change is a clear improvement, there will be temporary restrictions on library use along the way. "Unfortunately, this is unavoidable, because to ensure that nothing is lost when the data is transferred, nothing can be changed after a certain point in time," explains Thomas Zachlod.
Library closes from July 25 to 29, 2022
The good news is that most of the restrictions apply during the semester break, i.e. at a time when the library's services are generally less heavily used. In addition, they only affect individual services such as interlibrary loans or acquisition suggestions. A complete closure of all library locations is only necessary in the last few days before the changeover (July 25 to 29, 2022), as several important services have to be paused at the same time during this critical phase. Thomas Zachlod explains that the library team wants to make good use of this period: "We will all be concentrating on Alma once again during these days at the end of the internal training courses in order to be optimally prepared." During this period, the library can be contacted as usual by email and telephone.
Contact for questions about the restrictions and new features
After the changeover, the changes to searching in RiO will be discussed separately on the library's website. Users who have questions about the restrictions are welcome to contact the library staff at any time by emailbibfh-dortmundde , by telephone or on site. All information on the individual effects can be found on a separate page: