Change is Here! New Search Experience Goes Live at USMAI Libraries
On May 23, 2024, the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI) Library Consortium? and its member libraries launched a new shared integrated library system (ILS)?, Alma, and discovery tool?, Primo VE. Alma replaces our previous ILS, Aleph, which the Consortium began using in 2003. In the past, our member libraries used a variety of discovery tools for the library collections. Now, all will be using a single system that will provide an improved user experience and enable increased ease-of-use when visiting or borrowing from other libraries in the Consortium.
Behind the scenes, the new ILS will enable improvements to member libraries' core systems functions, offering more streamlined workflows in acquisitions, cataloging, electronic resource licensing and management, circulation, and much more. Working together, Alma and Primo VE create a system designed to integrate with other enterprise systems on your campus, so it brings the opportunity for more seamless functionality between systems such as Learning Management Systems and Digital Repositories. All of this will benefit you, the library's end user.
On the front end, you'll find that Primo VE provides a more user-friendly and effective search interface. Some libraries have branded their instances of Primo VE with names like OneSearch, UMD Discover, and SURF. Whether or not your library has renamed its search interface, you'll notice that things are different, especially on the results page you'll see after conducting a search.
Here are some ways the new system (Alma/Primo VE) will benefit you:
- Enhanced Experience: Better integration of the library’s collections along with improved and expanded search capabilities.
- Faster: Save time by searching almost all of the library’s collections and beyond in one simple search.
- More Discovery: Explore and learn through automatic recommendations, virtual title browsing, and citation trails.
- Personalized Search Experience: Log in to save your research preferences. Save your items in your account and easily export records to citation management systems.
- Better Mobile Interface: Improved mobile user interface allows researchers to search on their favorite mobile devices.
FAQs
We expect this list of questions to grow as more people use their library's new search tool.
Do I need to sign in?
You can search and see results without logging in. You'll need to log in to do the following:
- View request and hold options
- Make requests for books, articles, and other materials from external libraries (Interlibrary Loan)
- Renew books and other library materials
- Create favorites lists
- Save personalized, subject-area search settings
- Check the status of borrowed materials
- Monitor your requests
- See fines and fees
How do I sign in?
Depending on your institution, the process of logging into your library account may or may not be different. Library patrons at the following institutions should expect a change in how they sign into their accounts:
- Bowie State University
- Coppin State University
- Frostburg State University
- Morgan State University
- St. Mary's College of Maryland
- University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
Contact your library if you need help signing into your account.
Why did I receive an email asking me to pay a fine that I already paid?
Some library patrons were unintentionally sent messages asking them to pay fines that they may have already paid. USMAI staff are researching this issue and working to correct the problem. We apologize for the distribution of any erroneous messages and for the confusion and concern that they have caused.
What happened to the Classic Catalog?
The Classic Catalog, also known as catalogUSMAI, has been retired and is no longer accessible as of May 23, 2024.
Where are my saved items and saved searches?
Patrons had until May 23rd to download or email themselves their saved items and searches from catalogUSMAI and, if applicable, WorldCat Discover. USMAI and our member libraries worked to notify individuals with saved items and searches before the deadline. We regret any loss of data.
If your library previously used EBSCO Discovery Services (EDS), your My EBSCOhost account with saved searches, alerts, or citations, will no longer be available in the new search tool. However, they will still be available in individual EBSCO databases, such as Academic Search Ultimate.
Why are my bookmarks and links broken?
You need to update relevant bookmarks to reflect the new URLs for pages and resources in your library's search interface.
If you are a teacher, your course syllabi, reading lists, and pages in your institutions' learning management system may also require updated links to resources in the new search tool.
Who do I contact if I still have questions?
Your library's website may have the answers to your questions (see below). If not, please reach out to staff at your library.
Resources
Information and Library Guides from Our Member Libraries
If your library has information about the switch to Alma/Primo VE on its website, the link is provided below. We expect to add more links to information provided by member libraries.
St. Mary's College of Maryland
University of Maryland, Baltimore, Health Sciences and Human Services Library
University of Maryland, Baltimore, Thurgood Marshall Law Library
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland Global Campus
FAQs
Many of our libraries have FAQs with more specific answers to questions. Stay tuned for more additions to this list.
University of Maryland, Baltimore, Health Sciences and Human Services Library
University of Maryland, Baltimore, Thurgood Marshall Law Library
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland Global Campus
Glossary
USMAI Library Consortium
The USMAI Library Consortium (USMAI) is an association of 17 academic libraries in Maryland that pool resources and work together to achieve shared goals. To learn more about USMAI, please visit our purpose, guiding principles, and strategic priorities page.
Integrated Library System (ILS)
An integrated library system is the software (or "platform") that underlies all core library functions, such as checking library materials in and out; keeping track of orders and subscriptions; and providing the infrastructure that allows library users to search and access library materials. For about 20 years, USMAI's ILS was Aleph from Ex Libris®, part of Clarivate,. USMAI's new ILS is Alma, also from Ex Libris®, part of Clarivate.
Discovery Tool
Also called a "search tool," a discovery tool is the software (or system) that allows you to search for library resources across multiple databases using a single query. The discovery tool used by many USMAI libraries has been EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS). Discovery tools currently used by USMAI institutions will be retired and replaced with Primo VE from Ex Libris®, part of Clarivate.