New Library System Coming Soon: Alma and Primo Search Tool
at BUP and Affiliated Unit Libraries!
Starting September 2025, University Library in Poznań (BUP) will launch the new Alma library system and the modern Primo search interface. This marks an important step toward improving access to library collections and modernizing user services.
What is Alma?
Alma is a next-generation cloud-based library system developed by Ex Libris in collaboration with institutions such as Boston College, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Princeton University Library, and Purdue University Library. It is used by leading universities and libraries in Poland and worldwide.
Thanks to a partnership with National Library of Poland, which was the first institution
in the country to implement Alma, the resources of BUP and the affiliated unit libraries (BJO) will also be visible in the national catalog of academic libraries.
Primo – The New Search Tool
Primo is an intuitive online discovery tool for both print and electronic collections, not only
from BUP and BJOs but also from many other libraries across Poland. It offers:
- Filtering and narrowing of search results,
- Creating lists and saving searches,
- Notifications about publication availability,
- Self-service management of loans and reservations online.
What Does This Mean for Users?
- Your user account will be automatically transferred to the new system,
- A new, more user-friendly interface and login process,
- Broader access to collections, including those outside of UAM,
- Integrated searching of both traditional and digital collections,
- Tools for creating citations and exporting bibliographic data.
In the new system, your account will display your currently borrowed items. However, loan history, reservations, and requests will not be transferred, so we recommend saving your current history beforehand (available in the “History” tab after logging into your account).
Temporary Access Restrictions to Certain Library Processes and Services
Due to implementation activities and the need to migrate data from the current Horizon system to the new Alma system, the following changes will occur during the implementation period:
- Suspension of selected library processes (acquisitions, cataloging) from July 1 to September 14,
- Suspension of loans and new reader registrations from September 1 to September 14,
- Closure of the lending department and reading rooms from September 1 to September 14,
- Extension of return deadlines for library materials due during the temporary closure of the lending department and reading rooms until September 30, 2025.
As of July 1, work on processing new acquisitions for BUP and BJO has been suspended, as well as cataloging of older collections (so-called retroconversion). Information about these collections may still appear in the online system, but they will have the status “in processing” and will not be available to users until the implementation of the new system is complete. After the new system is launched, books will once again be systematically processed and prepared for access.
Until August 29, it will still be possible to register with BUP and BJO using the old system. After this date, it will no longer be possible to place orders or reservations in the UAM Libraries online catalog. New reader registrations, returns, and payments will be suspended, and access to the lending department, reading rooms, book dispensers, and self-check machines will be unavailable.
We recommend setting up a library account and borrowing the necessary publications in advance—register, borrow, renew, and return books now, and no later than the end of August.
In the new system, users will be able to see a list of currently borrowed items in their account. However, borrowing history (titles, borrowing dates, return dates) will not be transferred from the old system, so we recommend saving this information privately. Orders and reservations will also not be migrated from the old system to the new one.
The regular operation of BUP and BJO using the new Alma library system is planned to resume on September 15, 2025.
Transition to the New System
During the implementation period, temporary access limitations to e-resources and services may occur. We kindly ask for your understanding and encourage you to monitor updates on the BUP website.
Detailed information, the Primo user guide, and training materials will be published regularly
on the website.
For any questions or feedback related to Alma or Primo, please contact:
zapytajbibliotekarza@lib.amu.edu.pl or agnryb@amu.edu.pl
Thank you for your trust and openness to change. We believe the new library system
will be a modern and convenient tool for the everyday use of our resources.
