Updates on the Libraries New Libraries Search Platform

Updated April 18, 2024

In late June 2024, the Libraries will upgrade to a new cloud-based library services platform. The Libraries' current user search interface –- Classic Catalog and Summon -- will be replaced with a newer, unified Libraries Search. This change will benefit all Libraries users and is foundational for realizing our academic strategic plan and future improvements for years to come.

Requests for New Resources

• Routine processing of requests for new books, videos or other resources for the collection will be ON HOLD from April 1 through August 1, 2024. Users can still submit item requests to subject librarians or via the Suggest a Title form, but requests received after April 1 will not be processed until August 1, pending the Libraries completion of the migration.
• During the migration, Libraries’ databases, streaming video packages, journal collections, eBook collections, interlibrary (ILL) services and more will continue to be available, offering familiar content and search features.

Saved Searches

• If you have ‘My Searches’ or ‘My List’ information saved in the Classic Catalog, your work cannot be migrated. You will need to login to the Catalog and document or export your work prior to June 1. You can save your work by taking a screenshot of ‘My Searches’ or using the My List Feature that provides a print, export or email option. 
• If you use the Summon ‘Saved Items’ feature, you can use export, print or email to save this current information. Again, it will be unavailable after the migration. 

Account History

• With the migration, circulation history from the current system will no longer exist for items borrowed and returned. If you want to identify your previously borrowed and returned materials, log in to your library account before June 1 and make note of your circulation history for your own records. 

Blackboard and Bibliography Links

• If you have links to records in the Classic Catalog in your Blackboard courses or saved in bibliographies, etc., you will need to update those links after the migration to the new system.

Proxy Users

• If you’ve submitted a proxy request in the past, you will need to resubmit the request when the new library services platform goes live. To have another SU-affiliated individual borrow materials on your behalf, you can resubmit the request via library.syr.edu/plink/patron_proxy. The link is also available on library.syracuse.edu/borrowing-process-policies/#BorrowingPolicy.

Usability Testing

• Anyone interested in participating in usability testing in March or April to help the Libraries better understand what is working/not working and adjust functionality accordingly should email libcom@syr.edu.
• Faculty can participate in usability testing and ask questions on April 11 from 4-5:30 pm in the Mower Faculty Commons. 
• Drop-in usability testing for undergraduate and graduate students is being scheduled across campus:
  • Wednesday, March 27 from 1:30-3 p.m. in Bird Library
  • Monday, April 1 -- SU Libraries Staff Only -- from 3:00-5:00PM in Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, Bird Library
  • Wednesday, April 3 from 1:30-3:30PM in Whitman
  • Tuesday, April 9 from 1:00-3:00PM in Schine Student Center Atrium
  • Thursday, April 11 -- Faculty Only -- from 4:00-5:30PM in Mower Faculty Commons, Bird Library
  • Monday, April 15 from 2:00-4:00PM in Maxwell
  • Wednesday, April 17 from 11:00AM-1:00PM in King + King Library, Slocum Hall
  • Thursday, April 25 -- SU Libraries Staff Only -- from 11AM-1PM in Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, Bird Library

More Information

• As the migration progresses, information will be communicated. Please check the Libraries’ website regularly for updates. 
• Please direct questions to your subject librarian or libcom@syr.edu. 

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