Dear users,
Several libraries in Rhineland-Palatinate have to migrate to a new library system called ALMA this summer, as required by the Ministry of Science and Health. So far, it has been possible to implement the measures without restricting the library's services.
This is now changing: during the transition from the old to the new system, there will be restrictions in the central library services for several weeks. The exact timing of the changeover, which unfortunately also falls in the first weeks of the winter semester, cannot be influenced by us, as the schedule is set by the manufacturer. The changeover to Alma affects all areas of the library and will tie up considerable staff resources. Despite intensive training, staff will also have to get used to the practicalities of working with ALMA.
What does this mean for you?
- In the run-up to the migration to ALMA, no interlibrary loans of books will be possible from 31.07. and no interlibrary loans of articles from 30.08.2024.
- From 05.09. to 30.09. the basic working options are not restricted: you can, for example, continue to search the online catalog and access our e-books. However, restrictions include the fact that requests for the purchase of new media cannot be made during this period. Also: no loan period renewals, no reservations. Training/guided tours during this time will focus on the library premises and ALMA-independent resources, as training for ALMA cannot yet take place in live operation (this mainly affects first-year students). Such restrictions also apply to an even greater extent to other university libraries in Rhineland-Palatinate, e.g. Worms, Koblenz, Trier.
- From 27.09. to 30.09., lending/returns will also be temporarily "switched off" in order to migrate the "transaction data". No loans/returns, no new registrations, no loan period extensions, no reservations, no reservation requests. No reminders will be sent out during this period, so you will not incur any additional late fees.
- For the period after 30.09., lending/returning with ALMA is planned.
What are the benefits for you?
- Following the successful implementation of ALMA, more modern research options and interfaces will be available to you as a customer: The previous online catalog will be replaced by a "discovery system" in which various individual systems (including the old online catalog) will be made usable under a common interface, so that your research can lead you to a destination more quickly without in-depth knowledge of our media portfolio.
We ask for your understanding for the limited services. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Your library team