April 5, 2013
An ARL member, Northwestern plans to deploy the unified resource management system across its library system.
Chicago, IL—April 5, 2013 Ex Libris® Group, a world leader in the provision of library automation solutions, is pleased to announce that Northwestern University has selected the Ex Libris Alma next-generation resource management solution for its libraries. A member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Association of American Universities, Northwestern counts among its libraries the Pritzker Legal Research Center and the Galter Health Sciences Library, both at the school’s Chicago campus.
Northwestern took the first step toward unifying its library services by adopting the Primo® discovery and delivery solution in 2008. The libraries are now moving ahead with their transition to a next-generation infrastructure by implementing a single solution to replace the multiple systems used for managing print, electronic, and digital collections. The Primo and Alma solutions are fully integrated and designed to provide an optimized user experience and synergy between user services and library operations.
”Alma will enable us to integrate and deliver information more seamlessly for the students, faculty, and staff at Northwestern,” commented Sarah M. Pritchard, dean of libraries at Northwestern University. ”We are now positioned to create a comprehensive, unified array of curated materials that can be easily accessed, preserved, and promoted. By migrating our entire library operation to the Ex Libris cloud environment, we are making this vision come to life.”
The library system’s strategic plan, published last year, identifies the need to find new ways to offer customized services to the Northwestern community by redirecting staff time and resources away from internal processing tasks. Alma will deliver on this strategic vision by fully automating common workflows across print, electronic, and digital resources. This more efficient environment will enable Northwestern’s libraries to continue providing core services while pursuing new academic initiatives. With cost savings identified through Alma’s advanced analytics and collection analyses, the library system will be able to channel resources to support emerging areas of growth.
”Northwestern University’s decision to expand its longstanding partnership with Ex Libris validates our Company’s vision and accomplishments in delivering Alma to the marketplace,” said Mark Triest, president of Ex Libris North America. ”We’re honored to welcome another ARL institution to the Alma community and are excited to partner with Northwestern in its transition to the next generation of library services,” he added.
Northwestern University joins two fellow members of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (a collaborative association of 11 U.S. universities)—Purdue University and the University of Minnesota—in adopting Alma to manage its extensive research collections.
About Northwestern University
Founded in 1851, Northwestern University is one of the country’s leading private research and teaching universities with an enrollment of approximately 7,900 full-time undergraduate students and approximately 7,500 full-time graduate and professional students on campuses in Evanston and Chicago. Northwestern University’s libraries hold over five million volumes and a portfolio of distinguished special collections. The library system provides access to hundreds of scholarly databases that connect users to the most comprehensive, specialized, and up-to-date information resources in their fields and pursues an active role in educating faculty and students in how to make the best use of these resources. By prioritizing the digitization of unique materials and collections, the library is making them available to any user, at any time.
>For additional information on Northwestern University Library, see www.library.northwestern.edu
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.
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