July 7, 2015
Well known as a leader in innovation, the University is the first institution in the Netherlands to opt for Alma as its next generation library management service Hamburg, Germany—July 7th, 2015. Ex Libris® Group, a leading global provider of cloud-based solutions for higher education, is pleased to announce that Leiden University has selected the Ex Libris Alma® unified resource management service. The University’s choice was based on the comprehensive approach of Alma, which will help improve library services as well as automating and streamlining operations for all types of workflows and resources. Mr. Kurt De Belder, university librarian at Leiden University, explained: ”Our strategy is increasingly aimed at supporting our function as partner in knowledge for the primary activity of the university—research and teaching—while maintaining our role as collection and information manager. The introduction of Alma will enable us to strengthen our service orientation.” ”Currently,” he continued, ”we use several systems for the management of our library processes. Our systems are not integrated, so we have to carry out tasks several times in several interfaces, resulting in a duplication of effort and data. With Alma, library staff members will be able to free up time to work in other areas or develop further new services for patrons. Our library intends to become the supplier of university-wide services in the areas of digital scholarship, open access and cultural entrepreneurship.” ”Leiden University is known for its leadership and innovation, and we look forward to working closely with its staff,” commented Bar Veinstein, corporate vice president for resource management solutions at Ex Libris. ”I am delighted to welcome Leiden as the 500th member of the Alma community. The 500 mark is an important milestone in the success of Alma and confirmation of the great value that this Ex Libris service brings to institutions.” About the Library of Leiden University The Library of Leiden University (UBL) is an internationally prominent academic library with world-class collections and advanced services that support research and teaching at Leiden University. Established in the same year as Leiden University, the UBL is the oldest and largest university library in the Netherlands, with libraries in Leiden, The Hague and Jakarta (Indonesia). The Library is a trusted partner in knowledge for the University’s researchers, faculty and students and collaborates with outside partners to create reliable, innovative services. The UBL is known internationally for its special collections, which not only support research and teaching but also provide an important social and cultural function. In 2017, the Asian Library is due to open, forming a major international knowledge hub devoted to Asia. This library will bring together the University’s vast Asian collections, one of the most extensive in the Western world; the largest collection worldwide on Indonesia; the largest collection of South Asian materials in Europe; and one of the leading Chinese collections in the West. For more information, visit www.library.leiden.edu.
Founded in 1575, Leiden University is one of Europe’s leading international research-intensive universities with some 24,500 students (from 110 different countries) and 5,500 staff (including Leiden University Medical Centre). As a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), Leiden University aims to maintain its internationally recognised position within the European area for higher education and first-class fundamental research.
About Ex Libris
Ex Libris is a leading global provider of cloud-based solutions for higher education. Offering SaaS solutions for the management and discovery of the full spectrum of library materials, as well as mobile campus solutions for driving student engagement and success, the Company serves over 5,600 customers in 90 countries. Ex Libris solutions have been deployed at 43 of the top 50 universities worldwide and more than 40 national libraries.
