Fifty-five PASCAL libraries will be moving to a shared Ex Libris Library Services Platform (LSP). Planning and preparation for the migration process is getting underway. Based on their experience with large consortia migrations, Ex Libris performs a test implementation, including data migration and the creation of test instances of the Alma library services platform and Primo discovery tool. This testing, or “Vanguard” phase, will involve seven libraries and is an important stepping stone that will inform the migration process for all participating libraries. It is worth noting that the Vanguard libraries do *not* get to go live any earlier than other PASCAL Members, but the profiling and experience gained in this phase will serve as a guide for the other participating libraries during the full implementation phase, which is targeted to kick off in May 2019.
In August, participating libraries were invited to volunteer to be part of the Vanguard phase. We were pleased that 15 institutions volunteered to participate in the Vanguard phase. However, only seven could be selected. Following discussions with Ex Libris on their requirements and recommendations for the Vanguard cohort, the Shared LSP Steering Committee selected seven libraries to provide the proof of concept for implementation for everyone. The criteria from Ex Libris included a number of factors such as a library’s current system, being a stand-alone system or part of a shared system, collection and staff size, third-party integrations, data being migrated, and multiple libraries within the institution. In addition, the Shared LSP Steering Committee worked to include different types of institutions from those that volunteered. The balance and diversity of these libraries is important, but equally important is the willingness of the Vanguard libraries to provide guidance and support for the other participants during full migration.
The Vanguard libraries are:
We would like to thank all the institutions that volunteered and congratulate the seven libraries selected to participate in the Vanguard. By participating in this critical test phase they will serve as a model for other libraries and will help strengthen working relationships both within our consortium and with Ex Libris.
PASCAL staff are currently working with the Ex Libris Onboarding Team to develop a more detailed timeline for both the Vanguard Phase and the entire migration process for PASCAL libraries. To learn more, please visit the Shared Library Services Platform page on the PASCAL website.
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