The Future of Libraries is Open: Neue Bibliothekssoftware erfolgreich eingeführt

The Future of Libraries is Open: New library software successfully launched

On Tuesday, 3 February, we successfully launched the new FOLIO library management system.
This modern open-source system now controls several key library processes, including the licensing and acquisition of digital and printed literature, all borrowing and returning processes, and the financing of open access publications. FOLIO — the acronym stands for 'The Future of Libraries is Open' — is an open-source system that has undergone intensive national and international development in recent years.
As part of the software migration, various restrictions on our library services have been necessary in recent weeks. We would therefore like to thank you for your patience. As of today, the University Library is once again offering all its usual services, along with a few improvements.

What this means for you:

• Automatic renewal: Borrowed media will now be renewed automatically. You no longer need to renew items yourself via your library account. If renewal is not possible because an item has already been reserved, you will be notified by email as usual.
• Simplification of borrowing conditions: We have standardised our borrowing conditions further. As before, you can view all loan periods in your account in the Bamberg catalogue.
• Change in call numbers: The slash has been removed from our call numbers. For example, 31/MB 2568 WZ 13115 now becomes 31 MB 2568 WZ 13115. There will be no changes to book arrangements in branch libraries.
• New reservation slips: We are using less paper and have redesigned our reservation slips for clarity.
• Improved data protection: We do not store data that is irrelevant to library operations, such as information about gender.

Improved internal processes

In addition to these visible changes, the new library system enables us to optimise our internal processes. These improvements are particularly significant in the area of e-media, as the previous programme, which was over 30 years old, was unable to handle this effectively. With a collection of 1.3 million e-books, 67,500 e-journals, and 1,300 databases, having efficient e-media processes is of great importance to the university library. The new system also simplifies interaction with the university's budget system, enabling us to streamline processes such as billing open access publication costs.

Open source development

The joint development of open source library software represents a paradigm shift for us. Since 2024, we have been collaborating with the central office of the Bavarian Library Network, other libraries, and the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre on FOLIO, and we have participated in regional and national working groups to coordinate our efforts. Rather than making local adaptations, we are developing FOLIO in such a way that changes benefit all libraries. For example, this will facilitate the connection of self-checkout machines and the migration of supplier data from the previous system.

In the coming years, FOLIO will be introduced across the board at university libraries in Bavaria. By adopting this new system, Bamberg University Library is joining a growing community of institutions that rely on open standards and collaboratively developed software solutions in librarianship.