Through the Ohio Department of Higher Education, OhioLINK is receiving funding to replace our shared ILS (Integrated Library System), which will move us closer to the user-focused system envisioned in the 2020 OhioLINK whitepaper. After a year-long competitive RFP process, in August 2023 OhioLINK announced its selection of Ex Libris Alma/Primo VE as its next shared library services platform (LSP), replacing Sierra and INN-Reach. Additionally, members will be able to implement a suite of related products from Ex Libris.
This library services platform upgrade will position libraries to: support 21st-century teaching, learning, and research; streamline day-to-day operations; and enhance stability and security. The cloud-based, multi-tenant structure will also enable OhioLINK to provide more direct support for member libraries in areas such as systems and e-resources. The consortium will go live together in mid-2025. The implementation will proceed in four phases: Onboarding; Vanguard; Main Implementation; and Post-Implementation.
