Library Technology Guides

Successful launch of the first Ex Libris Library Open Workflows Partner Power Hour. Ex Libris shared the highlights from our inaugural Library Open Workflows “Partner Power Hour”, the first in a series of six sessions designed to showcase the power of Library Open Workflows and the value of collaborative sharing. This event brought together more than 60 participants from our Development Partner institutions to exchange ideas, demonstrate innovative solutions, and foster stronger connections within the library community. [Full Announcement].

Ex Libris Demo Center Got an Upgrade. The Ex Libris Demo Center has been updated and refreshed with a variety of new and engaging videos. Whether you're a librarian, an administrator, or just curious about how Ex Libris solutions can enhance your workflows, this is the perfect place to start. [Full Announcement].

Sabanci University Information Center: Revolutionizing Access to Knowledge. Sabanci University Information Center, located in Istanbul, Türkiye, recently implemented the Alma library services platform and Primo VE discovery solution.  [Full Announcement].

A closer look at how Rialto continues to support libraries. Over the past few weeks, we've heard your questions following our recent announcement about changes to the purchasing of print and perpetual access to electronic books through our platforms. In this post—and in future updates—we aim to clarify what's changing and what isn't, and, most importantly, reaffirm our commitment to supporting academic libraries. [Full Announcement].

Transforming library services at the University of Tasmania with Ex Libris Alma and Primo. The University of Tasmania has long been committed to providing seamless access to academic resources for its 21,000 students and staff. With seven physical library locations and a robust online presence, the institution recognized the need for a more integrated and efficient system to manage its extensive collections. This need led to the adoption of Ex Libris' Alma library services platform and Primo library discovery service — transforming library operations and enhancing user experiences. [Full Announcement].

Ex Libris announces Rapido Consortial Borrowing for consortia and state-wide systems. Ex Libris, from Clarivate, announces Rapido Consortial Borrowing, a resource sharing platform created to ensure equitable access to knowledge while respecting the unique workflows of each library within a system. Set to launch in 2026, this solution directly addresses the growing tension between tightening library budgets and expanding community needs. [Full Announcement].

Summon Research Assistant is now live. Ex Libris, part of Clarivate, is excited to announce that Summon Research Assistant is now available for Summon institutions worldwide to activate for their users. Primo Research Assistant was launched in September 2024. Building on its success, we're excited to introduce it in Summon, bringing the same powerful benefits to even more end users and librarians. Summon Research Assistant is a new AI-enhanced discovery tool that saves researchers time by summarizing the query response and citing the most relevant resources. [Full Announcement].

A successful completion of our Early Adopters Program for Mixpanel integration with Primo VE. Ex Libris announced the successful completion of our Early Adopters Program for Mixpanel integration with Primo VE. With around 50 customers participating, this program showcased how libraries can use Mixpanel to gain deeper insights from their discovery environment, track user interactions, and make data-driven decisions to enhance the search experience. [Full Announcement].

Hungarian Academy of Sciences chooses Alma and Primo from Clarivate to modernize library infrastructure. Ex Libris, part of Clarivate, announced that the Library and Information Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, a prestigious special library based in Budapest, has selected Alma library services platform and Primo discovery solution. [Full Announcement].

Ex Libris updates the Alma roadmap for 2025 and 2026. Ex Libris has revised its comprehensive two-year Roadmap for the Alma library management system, covering 2025 and the first half of 2026. This community-driven roadmap is updated semi-annually to ensure libraries benefit from innovative technology, including advancements in Linked Open Data and artificial intelligence (AI), enabling the libraries to optimize resource management and prepare for future digital library needs. [Full Announcement].

Data Insights showcased across Ex Libris services through the Statistics Portal. Ex Libris, part of Clarivate, announced the latest insights from its Statistics Portal, highlighting the importance of measuring statistical usage and reporting. By tracking and analyzing data, Ex Libris can identify trends, evaluate and optimize services, and enhance customer satisfaction. [Full Announcement].

Five German private university libraries improve their library services with Alma and Primo. Ex Libris, part of Clarivate, announce that a group of five prestigious private university libraries in Germany have selected Alma and Primo as their new library management and discovery solutions. This strategic decision underscores the libraries' commitment to optimizing their operations and providing exceptional services to their users. [Full Announcement].

Rialto transforms with today's libraries. Clarivate announced a new transformative subscription-based access strategy for academia. As part of this evolution, we are also making changes to the Rialto marketplace to better align with the needs and priorities of our academic library community. Over the past five years, Rialto has served as a comprehensive selection and acquisition tool, helping over 500 libraries manage their collections more efficiently. During this time, libraries have also evolved amid rapid shifts in technology, budgets, and curriculum—requiring them to prioritize methods that deliver broad, cost-effective ebook access as simply as possible. To achieve this goal, libraries need a more holistic, data-driven approach to fulfilling user needs. [Full Announcement].

Purchase order lines management in Alma. The development of the new user interface for Purchase Order Lines Management in Alma was a significant undertaking driven by the need to enhance user experience and productivity. The redesign aimed to address several key challenges and improve the overall efficiency for acquisitions staff. The previous interface had fragmented workflows, requiring users to navigate through multiple task lists for different PO line statuses. [Full Announcement].

Ex Libris introduces AI for Digital Collections with Alma Specto. Digital collections are windows into our communities' stories and heritage, but connecting these stories with users isn't always easy. Libraries often face challenges like time-consuming metadata creation, fragmented tools, and barriers to access. Ex Libris, part of Clarivate, developed Specto to enable these stories to be seen, explored, and valued. With the help of artificial intelligence, libraries have new opportunities to make that happen. Ex Libris built Alma Specto, an AI-powered digital collection platform that brings all stages of collection management together, from cataloging to discovery and preservation. [Full Announcement].

AI Metadata Assistant headlines Alma's February 2025 feature release. Ex Libris, part of Clarivate, announced the first quarterly release of the year for the Alma library management service. Several enhancements are available to all Alma customers, setting the stage for an exciting year packed with new features designed to provide customers significant value. Key service updates include the AI Metadata Assistant, new user interfaces, and support for COUNTER R5.1 reports. [Full Announcement].

Clarivate to partner with San Diego Circuit to create a new consortial borrowing experience. Clarivate announced that San Diego Circuit, a dynamic consortium of academic and public libraries, has entered into a development partner agreement with Ex Libris, part of Clarivate, to develop a new consortial borrowing experience. For nearly thirty years, the Circuit has enabled all residents of San Diego county to make use of the collections of member libraries. By streamlining the user experience and simplifying staff workflows this collaboration is expected to enhance the benefits for San Diego county residents. [Full Announcement].

Ex Libris introduces ebook resource sharing with Rapido. Digital access is no longer a convenience – it's an expectation. With the growing demand for ebooks, libraries have been searching for a way to share these resources seamlessly. Starting January 2025, Ex Libris Rapido's new ebook resource sharing feature will allow libraries to lend ebooks within their networks, meeting the growing demand for digital content. Supporting both DRM-free and DRM-restricted models – depending on the content provider and publisher [Full Announcement].

Ex Libris launches Library Open Workflows Development Partnership Program. In late November Ex Libris marked a significant milestone with the launch of its Library Open Workflows solution development partnership program. This inaugural kick-off event brought together members from 12 development partner institutions spanning the USA, Europe, Great Britain, and Australia. [Full Announcement].

Ex Libris Showcases AI Innovations Shaping the Future of Libraries in 2025. Ex Libris, part of Clarivate, is kicking off 2025 by showcasing its AI service innovations on a new dedicated webpage. The resource highlights an initial set of AI-based tools, developed in close collaboration with the academic community, designed to enhance library operations and user experiences. These solutions demonstrate Ex Libris' commitment to delivering top-tier services that enhance research, improve student learning outcomes, and increase staff productivity. [Full Announcement].