In November we will be introducing important changes to the systems underpinning Catalyst, our online catalogue search tool, and to the member sign-on process required to access digital services including Catalyst and OverDrive and then shortly after, WiFi and PaperCut (for in-Library printing).
The changes - largely driven by the need to replace systems nearing the end of their product life - will improve user and data security and the technical functionality of our key platforms, and ensure their continued support and development.
The switchover to the new Catalyst is due to place over the weekend of 21-22 November and we need to alert members that when the new system is introduced, their previous borrowing history and eshelf records will no longer be viewable. In order to have access to these records, members will need to export them and store them locally on separate database platforms such as Excel. Information on how to do that will be sent to members shortly.
The new, more secure authentication system to access our digital services will be introduced at the same time. From 23rd November, members will be able to access Catalyst and OverDrive via a single sign-on process involving an email address and password. The same process for the Library’s WiFi and PaperCut printing service will be introduced shortly afterwards. To ensure continuity of access to these services, members will need to ensure that we have their matching email details in our records. Keep an eye out in future newsletters and our website on how to provide us with your up to date email details.
Changes to Catalyst
The changes are necessary as the products that Catalyst works with - namely Aleph, the system that holds our catalogue data, and Primo, the system that allows us to surface information from this data - are being replaced by their supplier Ex Libris.
Both Primo and Aleph were originally built over 20 years ago and Ex Libris are migrating their customers to a new generation of cloud-based library applications that have been developed to modern security standards. Ex Libris will no longer support the legacy systems from early 2021. Once systems become unsupported, we cannot guarantee their security, so we will be moving to a new platform this Autumn.
Single sign-off Authentication system
The introduction of a new Authentication system will also ensure our digital services meet modern standards for security and compliance. The current Authentication system (involving a membership and PIN number) which allows members to log onto Catalyst, Overdrive, Wi-Fi and the Print Service Papercut is also at ‘end-of-life'. The new Authentication service will allow Members a ‘Single Sign-On’ to our online applications via an email address and password and its implementation will improve security and ensure that the Library can continue to conform with all data and privacy regulation and protocols. The email address for access will need to match the one we hold for members in our records – as a result members will need to notify us if their email details have changed or if they have not previously provided us with an email contact address.
The switchover to the new systems will take place over the weekend of 21-22 November and the new arrangements will be in place by 23 November (WiFi and Papercut will be incorporated into the new authentication system shortly after). We’ll be providing information on all of these changes over the next few weeks and advising members what they will need to do to prepare for their introduction on 23 November.
