University Libraries to implement open-source library services system

In June, 2023, the University Libraries will move to a new open source Library Services Platform (LSP) to manage materials and resources. FOLIO is the largest change in the Libraries technology in over 20 years. It brings the Libraries to the forefront of library-system technology and represents years of work by dedicated libraries staff.

A LSP is the most essential of all technologies in a library. It enables libraries to check out books, place holds on items, manage electronic resources and populate a library catalog. In academic libraries, these systems are large, complex and customized for each institution - and also costly because there are very few commercial providers globally.  

While library users should not notice any difference once adoption of the FOLIO LSP is complete, in June, 2023, it signifies a fulfillment of the Libraries’ strategic plan to support technologies that are open, interoperable, universally designed, and prioritize user privacy.

“Moving to FOLIO is financially and technologically strategic, but it is also a declaration of our university’s values,” said Jamie Wittenberg, Assistant Dean for Research and Innovation Strategies. “Our libraries care deeply about supporting community-driven open-source initiatives. This move is an opportunity to develop shared services across our campus libraries and participate in a global movement towards open, transparent, and sustainable infrastructure.”

As part of this change, the Libraries catalog will also be updated. The new catalog will be modern, faster and easier to use on a mobile device. It will offer new features and functionality as well. The look and feel of the catalog will change and certain features from the old catalog will not be available. This will not affect the Libraries search bar, sometimes referred to as OneSearch. Last year, we made changes to OneSearch as a part of this project. 

As a result of this migration, Libraries users may experience a slowdown in services and response-time to requests and questions. “This is a massive undertaking,” said Dean of Libraries, Robert McDonald. “It is our hope that any slowdown in services will be minor and we ask the CU Boulder Community for their patience and understanding.”

This project was financed, in part, through the Financial Futures program and we thank the Provost and Chief Operating Officer for their support in this implementation which will unify the University Libraries and the Law Library with one Library Services Platform.