Message to faculty- Impact of ILS Migration

The following message for faculty and instructors was distributed via email by liaison librarians to their respective departments on March 12, 2024.

Major Upgrade to UMD Libraries' Systems - Impact on Library Users

The University of Maryland Libraries announced in January 2023 that UMD, along with the 17 libraries across the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI), will migrate to a new integrated library management system in Summer 2024. The new system will feature an enhanced user interface to replace the current WorldCat Discovery platform and Classic Catalog, and will provide much-needed upgrades to core system functions for the Libraries’ operations, including acquisitions, circulation, course reserves, e-resource licensing and management, knowledge organization, among others. Learn more about the features and benefits of the new system.

The system migration process has been ongoing since Spring 2023; the Libraries have now announced May 23, 2024, as our go-live date for the new system.  

We are working very hard to minimize disruptions for library users, but there will be system downtimes and data freezes that cannot be avoided. To plan ahead, please visit the Libraries' website to learn more about key dates affecting library users.

Of particular note, UMD Libraries’ course reserves and purchasing deadlines for the end of the 2023-2024 fiscal year are earlier than usual. Instructors may also need to update links to library resources in their course materials.

  • Course reserves. Instructors who are planning to use new material for Course Reserves in a Summer 2024 course should contact Course Reserves staff at askmckres@umd.edu before the end of March to determine if purchasing or licensing is needed. This is advised because the Libraries will temporarily stop purchasing/acquisitions of new materials on April 1, 2024. Purchasing/acquisitions will resume sometime after July 1; however, if instructors know they will need new materials for Fall 2024, it's best to contact us before March 31st to avoid any delays.
  • Acquisitions. April 1 is the last day for the Libraries to purchase or license new materials for users during this fiscal year (which ends on June 30, 2024). Purchasing and licensing will not resume until sometime in the new fiscal year (after July 1, 2024). More information about the resumption of purchasing/licensing will be shared as information becomes available.
  • Updating links to resources in course materials. Your course syllabi, reading lists, and ELMS-Canvas pages may require updated links to resources in the new search tool. We are developing workflows and communication materials to assist faculty teaching in the fall for any course links requiring adjustment. 

For more information, please contact your subject specialist librarian, the Implementation Working Group (lib-pdiwg@umd.edu), or Library Administration (libadmin@umd.edu).

Back to Top