Bar Veinstein, President, Ex Libris
Seven weeks ago we launched our COVID-19: Remote Learning & Research Assistance programs. We are pleased that hundreds of institutions across the globe, both existing customers as well as other organizations, are taking advantage of the various Ex Libris programs aimed at helping libraries during this turbulent time.
These programs are part of our larger commitment to support the higher education community and to empower librarians, researchers, staff and students around the world to work from home while keeping library services running, even if from afar.
Today, we would like to share with you the launch of two additional new programs:
1. Supporting increased collection activation for remote learning and access
Ex Libris has seen a large and understandable spike in all system usage parameters as libraries expand their online services in order to support the university’s distance learning needs. One example of this spike is a 30% increase in discovery searches in the last few months due to COVID-19.
To address this unprecedented situation, we have made a considerable investment to increase our cloud infrastructure capacities beyond our standard built-in latent capacity for all our cloud services.
We have decided to allow all Alma customers to increase the number of records (such as bib records and e-resources) in Alma by 20% over existing subscription parameters at no additional cost.
In the last few weeks we have received many queries from libraries that have been adding and activating a considerable number of e-resources in their Alma, Primo, and Summon systems. Concerns were raised regarding the impact of this large increase in records on current subscription parameters.
We would like to ensure that our community feels comfortable in expanding their collections as needed to support their students. In response to these concerns, we have decided to allow all Alma customers to increase the number of records (such as bib records and e-resources) in Alma by 20% over existing subscription parameters at no additional cost. (This increase is also applicable to publishing these records in discovery systems.)
There is no need to contact us, as these settings were already applied by Ex Libris for all our Alma and discovery customers.
This increase in subscription parameters will be in place until June 30, 2021.
Click here to access our FAQ document with more information.
2. Alma Digital to support the needs of remote learning
To help support students by offering access to as wide a range of materials as possible during this period of remote learning, we have decided to provide access to Alma Digital for a period of 3 months – at no additional cost – to institutions who are not currently subscribed. The program allows for the use of up to 500GB and the upload of up to 1,000 digital metadata records per institution.
Click here for more information.
As we continue to navigate this “new normal”, we hope that these additions to our existing initiatives & offering will support your organizations.
Thousands of students, librarians, researchers, and staff rely on Ex Libris. Business continuity has always been a high priority for us. Since the onset of COVID-19, we have posted updates regarding our business continuity in our Trust Center. In addition, through the Knowledge Center, we have provided access to documents and presentations, Q&As, and recordings of webinars that can be of assistance to libraries in these times. We hope you find them useful.
As we go forward, we’ll be sure to keep you updated. Please know that we always value your questions, ideas and feedback.
Stay safe and be well,
Bar Veinstein
President, Ex Libris Group
May 19, 2020
