HKMU E-Library Systems Upgrade Project 2023

The E-Library Systems Upgrade Project

The current HKMU E-Library systems platform, using the locally hosted Aleph and Primo systems, has been in use since July 2010. In order to meet the emerging needs of faculty and students, the Library will upgrade the E-Library systems to a new cloud-based library management system and resources discovery solution, namely the Alma and Primo VE systems, in July 2023.

Alma and Primo VE are leading library management and resources discovery systems currently used by higher education institutions in Hong Kong and widely adopted by more than 2,300 higher educational institutions and national libraries worldwide. The new systems will enable the Library to manage our digital and print resources more effectively and deliver them to our users more efficiently. Staff and students will also benefit from the improved one-stop search service covering the full breadth of content of the Library's collections.

The E-Library Systems Upgrade Project started in October 2022. Since then, the Library has worked diligently with the Information Technology Office (ITO) and partner libraries of the CSIDS Group (Self-financing Institution Libraries in Hong Kong) in every stage of the implementation, including preparing data for migration, reviewing system configurations and performing thorough system testing to ensure all data and new features would work well. The new Alma and Primo VE systems will go live on 5 July 2023.

We hope every HKMU member will enjoy using the new E-Library systems!

Important Notes for Users

Users should back up the following in the E-Library on or before 30 June 2023 as they will not be migrated to the new systems:
- Saved records, saved queries and search history on E-Shelf.
- Historical loan records in Borrower Record.
- Bookmarked materials.
The two campus libraries will remain open during the systems migration period and users can borrow and return library materials as usual.
Some library services will be affected or suspended and special arrangements will be made during the systems migration period. Please refer to the Important Dates in the section below.
Updates about the project will be sent out by the Library via announcement on the Library homepage, emails to users and IG posts.

Important Dates

1-30 June 2023

Preparation for migration

Users should make a copy of their own records by 30 June 2023, including:

Saved records, saved queries and search history on E-Shelf.
Historical loan records in Borrower Record.
Bookmarked materials.

1-30 June 2023

14 June 2023

Preparation for technical freeze

A temporary form will be used for applying Interlibrary Loan (ILL) until 5 July 2023. Call 2768 6782 or email libill@hkmu.edu.hk if help is needed.
New library materials ordered or received during 16 June 2023 to 4 July 2023 will appear in the new Library systems on 6 July 2023.

14 June 2023

1-9 July 2023

Renewal of library materials

Library materials on loan to users with due date falling on the period from 1 July 2023 to 9 July 2023 will be renewed automatically by the Library.

1-9 July 2023

3-5 July 2023

Migration of the HKMU E-Library systems

The following library services will be affected:

Payment of overdue fines will be suspended.
Online renew and online hold request by library users will be suspended.
Users' loan records will not be updated in E-Library Borrower Records until 6 July 2023.
Accessing online resources via the E-Library will be available but may have some temporary interruptions.

The following services will be available:

The two campus libraries will remain open.
Borrowing and returning of materials from the General Collection/Reserve Collection at Service Counters will be maintained.
Payment by cheque is accepted but the records will not be shown in E-Library Borrower Records until 6 July 2023.
Browsing and searching library materials via the Library homepage will be available.
Eligible users can still apply for library tickets via the HKMU Alumni+ App.

3-5 July 2023

5 July 2023

HKMU E-Library systems go live!

Launch of the new Library systems (Alma and Primo VE) at around 5:00 p.m.

5 July 2023

5-12 July 2023

Migration of CSIDS Catalogue system

Browsing and searching of resources in the CSIDS catalogue (Self-financing Institution Libraries) will remain normal, while online hold request will be suspended.

5-12 July 2023

12 July 2023

CSIDS Catalogue system go live!

Launch of the new CSIDS catalogue at around 5:00 p.m.

12 July 2023

Official Launch of the New E-Library Systems

We were honoured to have Prof. Ricky Kwok, Vice President (Research and Student Development), officiate the launching ceremony. Mr. Owen Tam, University Librarian, Dr. Simon Cheung, Director of Information Technology, and senior staff members of the Library were also present to celebrate this memorable occasion together.

We were also delighted to welcome our first student user to check out books after the new E-Library systems were launched.

About Alma and Primo VE

With the adoption of Alma, the Library can seamlessly manage the full range of over six million electronic, multimedia and print library resources in different languages and deliver the services effectively to library users.
Primo VE is a discovery service designed to offer searching across the library's books, journals, subscribed databases, and other digital collections through one interface. It will provide:
- a simple and intuitive search and discovery process;
- smooth user experience on different mobile devices with the responsive design of Primo VE;
- serendipitous discovery via the virtual browsing feature.

The new LibSearch discovery interface, using Alma and Primo VE from Ex Libris.

Getting Started

We have created a Library Guide showing you how to use the E-Library and the new features.

Contact Us

The two libraries on campus remain open as normal during the systems migration period.

Users can contact our staff at the Library Service Counters, call our hotline 2768-6777 or email us at libwww@hkmu.edu.hk for assistance.