CHANGES COMING OCT 3-13 : New Library Catalog and Website

The time has come for us to make the move to our new Library system.  During a two-week transition period, there will be substantial changes that will affect our users.  PLEASE refer to this announcement for help in knowing what to expect.

MONDAY OCT 3 – Library Catalog Goes “Read-Only”

On this date, the Library’s current catalog will become “read-only.”  This means that you will not be able to access your own personal account in our online catalog, to check for due dates, renew items, etc.   If you need to renew an item or consult your transaction history, please contact the Circulation Desk and ask for their assistance.

You will still be able to look up call numbers and other information in our catalog, but it will not include updated, real-time data.  So you won’t be able to tell whether an item is currently on the shelf by looking at its catalog record.

We will be able to check out items as needed, EXCEPT for Course Reserves.  During this two-week period, there will be no overnight lending of course reserve materials.  Please be prepared to photocopy materials you may need after open hours.

If you need to return items, we can accept them, but there will be no item check-ins during this period.  No fines will be assessed against you for unprocessed returns. 

In Richmond, we will continue to request Interlibrary Loans from other institutions as needed.  You may continue to use the ILL Request Form found in our current catalog.  To borrow or return an ILL item, please go to Jay McNeal’s office in the Instructional Resource Center.

WEDNESDAY OCT 5 – New Library Website Begins

On this date, the redesigned and updated Library website will become active.  The site you have relied upon as the portal for Library information, library.upsem.edu, will have a new appearance and organization. 

We think you will find the new structure easy to navigate. For access to the catalog and the online databases, use the links found under RESEARCH & RESOURCES.

On this date, the Charlotte Library Facebook page will be shut down and all social media posts will be consolidated in our combined Instagram (@upsemlibrary) and Facebook page (http://facebook.com/UPSemLibrary). 

WEDNESDAY OCT 12 – Catalog Stop

This date will be the last on which we will be using our old catalog.  The Charlotte campus library transactions will end at 4:00 pm, and at 6:00 pm the William Smith Morton Library will stop all transactions.  The Richmond building will remain open for study but there will be no Circulation available. 

THURSDAY OCT 13 – New Catalog Comes Online

Beginning on this date, we will be testing and finalizing all operations in the new Library system.  All functions will become active as they are checked and cleared.  We expect some wrinkles and surprises on this day and possibly the next.  Please have patience as any problems are addressed and corrected.

AFTER OCT 13

Even after our “go live” date, there will be many improvements and refinements to come.  The main issue that will affect users is off-campus access to our electronic resources.  At first, we will carry on very much like we do now, with your network user ID and password for access to the online databases and other electronic tools, and your barcode/PIN login for your Library account.  But our ultimate goal is a “single sign-on” system, which will enable you to login just once to our system and move seamlessly to all of our applicable resources. 

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES – Oct 17-Nov 28 

In Richmond, Ann Knox is organizing a series of training events in the Digital Learning Lab, beginning on Oct 17.  These will be informal 45-minute briefings on the use of the new systems, answering your questions, etc.  Because there are only 10 places in the DLL, it will be necessary for you to sign up in advance.  Please stay alert for more information about these sessions as it becomes available.

In Charlotte, David Mayo will be training an OT class and introducing them to the new system on Oct 15.  There will also be a short open class on Oct 22, and on other Saturdays during November.

We wish to express our thanks to the “Hal Todd Library Without Walls” initiative that is making this new system possible.  Once everything is in place, we think users will be delighted.  You’ll wonder how we ever managed without it!

We do apologize for any awkwardness, confusion and inconvenience that may accompany this transition.  Thank you for your patience!