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Ģ����Ƶ University Libraries’ vendor change of its Integrated Library System (ILS) to Ex Libris Alma is underway. The transition allows the Libraries to progress to a more modern and customizable approach while being connected to Ģ����ƵLINK’s network membership of academic libraries.

The new website will replace the ALICE Catalog and ArticlesPlus, as well as the Ģ����ƵLINK Library Catalog that serves most academic libraries in the state of Ģ����Ƶ. However, the Libraries will be joining a site better designed to represent today’s library collections that combine online, print and other physical resources.

During this change, all Articles Plus and ALICE website permalink URLs will also be switched after the transition to Alma. The website links will “break” and be unusable, so it’s important to be prepared to get the new permalinks after the shift in the library system has occurred.

Carrie Preston, head of Library IT services, explained more about the permalinks and how the Libraries will be assisting with this changeover.

“Where instructors have links to books and other materials in the ALICE Catalog in their Canvas courses, syllabi, or other documents, those links will need to be replaced with links to the same item in the new catalog,” Preston said. “The new permalinks will be available June 23, 2025. Although details are not yet finalized, the Libraries plans to offer a service to help faculty locate and create permalinks to items in the new catalog.”

University Libraries’ “permalink seeking service” will allow faculty to put in requests on a first-come first-serve basis to receive help in replacing all the existing website links that will no longer be available after the switch to Alma. In addition, the Libraries will have guides to help instructors update their current links and add new library content to their courses on their own too. These will take some of the stress and burden off those who may have many links that need to be changed over.

New guide to help you with the service platform migration

This progression may feel a bit overwhelming, so University Libraries has created a to help students, faculty and other users navigate these changes. The guide includes a project timeline, pages for users and an opportunity to get an early look at the new catalog as well as to give feedback.

Email updates on the project’s news blog are available too. Chad Boeninger, head of User Services and business librarian, added that this information will be updated frequently as the migration project moves forward.  

For more information, contact Preston at prestonc@ohio.edu or Boeninger at boeninge@ohio.edu.