July 23, 2012
The Ex Libris next-generation library management and discovery services will replace systems from various vendors Chicago, IL—July 23, 2012. Ex Libris® Group, a global leader in library automation solutions, is pleased to announce that the University of Manitoba, a Canadian member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), has selected the Alma unified resource management solution and the Primo® discovery and delivery solution. The University of Manitoba Libraries will consolidate its resource management systems with Alma, which will replace the SirsiDynix Symphony® integrated library system, as well as the Ex Libris SFX® OpenURL link resolver and Verde® ERM system. Alma supports the full range of library operations for the entire spectrum of materials—electronic, print, and digital—regardless of the materials’ format or location. With its unique Community Zone, Alma enables libraries to share high-quality metadata, while the solution’s cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) deployment helps libraries streamline their resource-management processes. ”We are very excited about reinvigorating our workflows and the user experience with Alma and Primo,” commented Karen Adams, University Librarian. ”The move to unified services for resource management and discovery will yield huge efficiencies and streamlining. Up to now, we have run separate systems for electronic and print, and we foresee tremendous added value in the deployment of a single solution for both areas—a solution that is completely integrated with our discovery platform. For example, our users will benefit from accessing real-time holdings information and services such as loans and renewals directly from the Primo interface.” ”In addition to these tangible benefits to both the library’s operations and our users’ experience,” added Ms. Adams, ”we are attracted by the Ex Libris strategy of exploring linked open data and the company’s commitment to user-driven acquisition. The long-term strategic vision of Ex Libris captures many of our own strategic priorities.” Primo will provide advanced discovery capabilities to the University of Manitoba user community, replacing Serials Solutions Summon®. Exploring their library’s locally managed collections along with global and regional resources, Primo users obtain a single result list, sorted by the Ex Libris ScholarRank relevance-ranking technology. The ScholarRank technology leverages users’ search context to help them discover items that are appropriate to their level of expertise and their area of research. Mark Triest, president of Ex Libris North America, commented: ”As the first Alma institution in Canada—and thus also the first Canadian institution to combine Alma and Primo—the University of Manitoba is a true trailblazer. We’re delighted by the University’s decision to adopt our next-generation library solutions. With Alma now live, the University of Manitoba Libraries are set to harness the next-generation capabilities of Primo and Alma to support library users’ scholarly pursuits.” About the University of Manitoba Steeped in tradition and excellence for over 130 years, the University of Manitoba has grown to be the largest and most recognized postsecondary educational institution in the province. In a typical year, the university has an enrollment of approximately 22,000 undergraduate students and 3,000 graduate students. The university offers over 90 degree programs, more than 60 at the undergraduate level, in areas as diverse as agricultural and food sciences, music, engineering, and medicine. Most of the academic units offer graduate studies programs leading to a master’s degree or doctoral degree. For more information, see http://umanitoba.ca/. About Ex Libris Ex Libris is a leading provider of automation solutions for academic libraries. Offering the only comprehensive product suite for electronic, digital and print materials, Ex Libris provides efficient, user-friendly solutions that serve the needs of libraries today and will facilitate their transition into the future. Ex Libris maintains an impressive customer base consisting of over 5,000 sites in more than 80 countries on six continents. Dedicated to developing creative solutions in close collaboration with customers, Ex Libris enables academic, national and research libraries to maximize productivity and efficiency, while at the same time greatly enhancing the user experience. By empowering users to discover and obtain the information they need, libraries ensure their position as the bridge to knowledge. For more information about Ex Libris Group, see our Web site, join us on Facebook, view our videos, and follow our Twitter page.
