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Welsh Universities, the National Library of Wales and the NHS Libraries in Wales select a shared Library Management System

We are pleased to announce that a consortium of Welsh Universities, including the National Library of Wales, and the Welsh NHS Libraries, have selected the Ex Libris Alma unified resource management system and the Ex Libris Primo unified resource discovery and delivery system to provide a new shared Library Management System for the sector.


The WHELF (Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum) Consortium has  decided on the Alma and Primo next-generation solutions following a rigorous selection and assessment process.  The 10 Libraries are Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, Swansea University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Glyndwr University, the National Library of Wales, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, the University of South Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, plus the Welsh NHS Libraries represented through the AWHILES Consortium.


Aled Gruffydd Jones, Chief Executive of the National Library of Wales, and Chair of WHELF commented that: “all WHELF members expect to realise transformational benefits from our collaboration on a shared Library system, including the provision of a single bilingual search interface for Wales Higher Education and research, plus the potential for deeper collaboration around collection development and management”.


Members of the WHELF Consortium currently employ a variety of standalone Library Management Systems, and several different discovery systems.  With the selection of Ex Libris as a single provider, the Consortium will deliver a single cloud-based next generation library system, delivered on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) basis.


Alma and Primo will provide unified resource management and discovery, and enable the WHELF members to adopt shared, streamlined workflows whilst expanding opportunities for collaboration across the Consortium.


-Ends-


For further information contact post@llgc.org.uk
or
Gareth Owen
Programme Manager
WHELF Shared LMS
OwenG12@cardiff.ac.uk / 029 20874014

Notes for Editors

About WHELF


WHELF (Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum) is a collaborative group of all the higher education libraries in Wales, together with the National Library of Wales and the Open University. It is chaired by the Chief Executive and Librarian of the National Library of Wales and its members include Directors of Information Services and Heads of Library Services.


WHELF actively promotes the work of higher education libraries in Wales and provides a focus for the development of new ideas and services.


WHELF’s mission is to promote collaboration in library and information services, seek cost benefits for shared and consortial services, encourage the exchange of ideas, provide a forum for mutual support and help facilitate new initiatives in library, archives and information service provision.


Members of the WHELF Consortium currently employ a variety of standalone Library Management Systems, and several different discovery systems.  With the selection of Ex Libris as a single provider, the Consortium will deliver a single cloud-based next generation library system, delivered on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) basis.


Alma and Primo will provide unified resource management and discovery, and enable the WHELF members to adopt shared, streamlined workflows whilst expanding opportunities for collaboration across the Consortium.


For more information about WHELF visit the website www.whelf.ac.uk, or on Twitter @WHELFed


About Ex Libris


Ex Libris is a leading provider of automation solutions for academic, national, and research libraries. Offering the only comprehensive product suite for electronic, digital, and print materials, Ex Libris provides efficient, user-friendly products that serve the needs of libraries today and will facilitate their transition into the future. Ex Libris maintains an impressive customer base consisting of thousands of sites in more than 90 countries on six continents.


Dedicated to developing creative solutions in close collaboration with customers, Ex Libris enables libraries to maximize productivity and efficiency and, at the same time, greatly enhance the user experience. By empowering users to discover and obtain the information they need, libraries ensure their position as the bridge to knowledge.


For more information about Ex Libris Group, see the website www.exlibrisgroup.com