Tag Archives: OhioLINK

Major upgrade coming to the Library Services Platform (LSP)

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The OhioLINK consortium, which includes the University of Cincinnati Libraries, is upgrading the Library Services Platform (LSP) in summer 2025 to Ex Libris Alma/Primo VE, a state-of-the-art systems software, and the most-used academic library system in the United States. More than 65% of Association of Research Libraries use Alma.

This cloud-based, enterprise system software is the backbone of day-to-day library operations (acquisitions, cataloging, circulation, etc.), and generates the underlying data that drives library business decisions and reporting. The new system will provide user benefits to help students, faculty and other library users find (and access) information critical to learning, teaching and research. Its user-friendly interactions will be more user intuitive.

book stacks

Primo, the new user interface, will streamline search functions and access to local resources and scholarly research. It will offer new and improved features and benefits for library users, including:

  • Faster searching – search electronic and print resources in one search,
  • Enhanced discovery – explore automatic recommendations, citation trails, availability in multiple formats and track requests, including finding resources across the OhioLINK network,
  • Personalized features – save preferences, searches, citations and export to citation management systems,
  • More intuitive user experience, and
  • Mobile friendly – a responsive user interface designed specifically for mobile devices.

Although UC Libraries is working to minimize disruption to services, the transition to the new system will impact acquisitions and summer borrowing of print materials among other OhioLINK institutions. Most immediate, March 1, 2025 is the last date to purchase or license new materials during this fiscal year (ending on June 30, 2025).  Please contact your subject librarian as soon as possible for spring needs. Purchasing and licensing will resume after the new fiscal year begins on July 1, 2025. More information about the resumption of purchasing/licensing will be shared as information becomes available.

More details and updates can be found on the Libraries LSP web page, which includes an FAQ. Check this page throughout the spring for project updates.

Upcoming changes to OhioLINK delivery provider

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books on a shelfIn order to address ongoing delivery issues with OhioLINK materials, the University of Cincinnati Libraries, along with the other college, university and public libraries in Ohio, is changing the OhioLINK delivery provider.

There are three important points that impact OhioLINK borrowing immediately:

  • Between now and March 10, users should request any needed items from OhioLINK, SearchOhio and the SWORD/SW Depository as early as possible as delays are anticipated. University of Cincinnati librarians and staff are happy to discuss research needs and help locate alternate formats or other ways to secure materials such as using Interlibrary Loan, which does not rely on this intrastate delivery service.
  • From March 11 through the end of April, users will not be able to request materials through the OhioLINK Central Catalog, SearchOhio or SWORD/SW Depository. This is necessary to avoid a backlog of materials in the system during the transition.
  • Currently checked-out materials can still be renewed and returned during this time.

Beginning April 18, we will return to working with the company that provided delivery prior to July 2021 and are confident that they will be able to deliver your library materials efficiently once again. As we transition from one company to another, however, there will be slower than usual delivery times.

We ask for patience as we implement this long-term solution.

Questions? (513) 556-1424 or https://libraries.uc.edu/about/contact.html. In addition, OhioLINK has created a FAQ.

OhioLINK and Interlibrary Loan Borrowing have resumed

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Library users can request OhioLINK materials for pickup at Langsam Library using the OhioLINK catalog or by using the “Search OhioLINK” tab after a search in our local Library Catalog.

To ensure staff safety, all incoming materials will be quarantined for six days before being processed and made available for borrowing.

Using Interlibrary Loan (ILL) library users may request print materials and electronic copies of articles and chapters from books not held by UC Libraries. The pickup location for print materials will be Langsam Library only for west campus.

Reminder. The current west campus pickup location for OhioLINK and ILL is Langsam Library only.

OhioLINK Catalog and Hosted Services Unavailable June 12 & 13

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All OH-TECH organizations – including OhioLINK – are moving to a new data center as the building that houses their current data center is slated to be demolished. The new location at the State of Ohio Computing Center will provide OhioLINK with a near-Tier 4 data center that can deliver a higher grade of services and achieve greater efficiencies.

Because of the move,  all OhioLINK hosted services will be down for the move during the following window: Friday, June 12, 6pm – Saturday, June 13, 12pm.

This will include:

  • OhioLINK website
  • Central Catalog
  • EJC
  • EBC
  • DRC
  • ETD
  • EAD
  • EZProxy
  • Rave URLS

OhioLINK mailing lists will not be affected by the outage, and OhioLINK staff will communicate with membership via email and social media (http://twitter.com/ohiolink and http://facebook.com/ohiolink) if necessary during the maintenance window.

​​​Borrow media, popular fiction and more with SearchOhio

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searchohio logoQuickly and easily borrow books, CDs, DVDs, and Audiobooks from SearchOhio, a consortium of over 20 Ohio public libraries. ​

S​tart your search in the UC catalog and move on to OhioLINK for additional borrowing options. If OhioLINK doesn’t have the title you’re looking for, click the SearchOhio button in the catalog search results to check availability​. If another library owns an available copy, select the “Request Item” button and follow the prompts. 

STEP 1: Search for an item in our catalog. If you can’t find it or all the copies of the item you’re interested in are unavailable, select the OhioLink button to expand your search. 

uc-catalog

STEP 2: If you can’t find it or all the copies of the item you’re interested in are checked out, select the SearchOhio button to expand your search to their catalog. 

ohiolink-catalog

 

STEP 3: When you find the item you’re looking for click the “Request Item” button and follow the prompts for your library affiliation (U of Cincinnati), your login information (UC ID and Central Service Password) and desired pick-up location. That’s it! You’ll be notified when your item is ready to be picked up.

searchohio

Click here​ to learn more about borrowing and returning SearchOhio items.

Questions or problems? Contact the Library by phone at 513-745-5710 or email.

 

 

OhioLINK Notice

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OhioLINK will be switching to a new book delivery vendor in early March. This change may lead to minor delays in service as a new system is put in place. If you anticipate needing library materials at that time, we recommend allowing extra time to receive your requests. Questions? Please contact a librarian.

SearchOhio: A New Resource for University of Cincinnati Libraries Users

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Beginning October 3, University of Cincinnati Libraries users will have access to a new resource for borrowing materials via SearchOhio. SearchOhio is a consortium of Ohio public libraries sharing materials amongst their patrons, similar to how OhioLINK facilitates the sharing of resources between many of Ohio’s colleges and universities. UC students, staff and faculty will be able to utilize SearchOhio to access books and more that they cannot first obtain through the University of Cincinnati Libraries or OhioLINK. Users will find a link to SearchOhio in their search results when they use the OhioLINK catalog.