In 2020, the University of Aberdeen went live with the Ex Libris Alma® library services platform and Ex Libris Leganto® course reading list solution. These two cloud-based services are integrated with the Ex Libris Primo® discovery and delivery solution, which the University has been using for a number of years. The Alma platform replaced the Aleph integrated library system and DigiTool digital asset management system, both from Ex Libris, a ProQuest company.
Prior to the Alma implementation at the University of Aberdeen, separate standalone systems were linked together. Maintaining and upgrading the on-premises infrastructure, was a significant overhead for the University. With the integration of the cloud-based systems and Alma’s streamlined management of electronic, print, and digital resources, library staff now have the potential to develop more innovative services. In addition, Alma’s advanced analytics enables University of Aberdeen to take smarter decisions with their collection management and library operations.
The Leganto course reading list solution has been a game-changer for the University’s teaching staff, librarians, and students, providing strong support for remote teaching and learning—support that has been particularly important in the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Leganto, lecturers create, manage, and disseminate course reading lists; the library staff carries out digitization, copyright clearance, and other actions as required; and students enjoy easy access to the reading list content at any time and from any device.
The Digital Resources component of Alma complements Alma’s physical and electronic services—integrating workflows into the university’s print and electronic resource management environments, providing detailed analytics of digital material usage, and safeguarding data with robust security measures. Furthermore, the University of Aberdeen library is now well positioned to enhance scholarship and teaching through strategic opportunities that are available with the University’s new library systems, such as support for the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF).
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