New Library Services Platform coming soon in Summer 2025

Article date:  Spring 2025

Library Services Platform Migration
What you need to know!

In June 2025, the Georgia Southern University Libraries, along with the GIL GaLiLeO academic library consortium, will transition to a new library services platform (LSP). The LSP is the suite of software that libraries use to acquire, manage and lend resources — as well as allowing users to search for, find, and access those resources. Following the transition, users can expect enhancements to the libraries’ catalog searching, access and delivery of electronic resources, and streamlined borrowing from other GIL GaLiLeO Member Libraries.
On this page, we’ve outlined what you can expect from the transition from the current LSP to the new platform,  including important timelines and contacts.

For any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your library liaison. More information is also available from GIL GaLiLeO.

What are the benefits of the new LSP?

GIL GaLiLeO’s library services platform upgrade and new software will position libraries to: support 21st century teaching, learning, and research; streamline day-to-day operations; and enhance stability and security. The cloud-based structure also will enable GIL GaLiLeO to provide more direct support for member libraries in such areas as systems and e-resources. This will provide many benefits to library services for faculty and students, as well as efficiencies to our library operations. Here are some of the features you can look forward to:

• Enhanced user experience with a more modern and intuitive interface to find print and electronic articles, books, and other kinds of library materials
• Better access and management of digital library resources, now a growing portion of our library’s collection
• More responsive interface with mobile devices.
• Closer collaboration between GIL GaLiLeO member libraries, streamlining borrowing and lending
• Cloud-based software updates regularly and automatically, reducing the burden on campus IT systems experts
• Read the press release from GIL GaLiLeO.

What is changing?

While the search interface will visibly look different, most changes are happening behind the scenes. Once the transition is completed, your experience will be more streamlined, making it easier to connect to resources. The Georgia Southern University Libraries will provide training and assistance to help you navigate the new system.

What stays the same?

Library liaisons and service desk staff will continue to help you navigate library resources and services, find a specific item or information, develop search strategies, and support your research and teaching. Find the library liaison for your discipline.

Interlibrary Loan services will still be available for most of the migration timeline. However, there may be a temporary pause, potentially in June. We will provide updates as soon as specific dates are available.

The collection itself is not changing. You will still have access to the same books and electronic resources as before.  Users will just have new ways to search across electronic and print collections.

What do I need to do?

Please be aware of the key dates and plan accordingly for your purchasing and borrowing needs from the Georgia Southern University Libraries in preparation for the Spring and Summer semesters. Some library services will be temporarily paused during Spring 2025 to implement an enhanced searching and borrowing experience.

Note that links to GIL-Find will become inactive after the migration. To ensure continued access to resources, we recommend updating your GIL-Find links now by linking directly to the resources themselves. Instructions for linking to the Libraries’ supported resources can be found on the Linking to Library Resources guide. If you need any assistance with updating your links, please reach out to your library liaison.

Check this page for updates.

How do I get help?

For any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your library liaison. More information is also available from GIL GaLiLeO.  

Project Timeline / Key Dates

As a result of this upgrade, some library services will be temporarily paused during Spring 2025. Please note the following estimated timeline and plan accordingly for your purchasing and borrowing needs from the Georgia Southern University Libraries in preparation for the Spring and Summer semesters.

April 1, 2025: New Order Freeze

No new requests for print materials will be processed, including ordering new books or other physical resources after April 30th. We encourage you to consider any teaching materials you may need for the Spring and Summer as early as possible. If you are in need of materials, please reach out to your liaison librarian to find solutions to your needs.

The campus community can continue to access resources through GIL GaLiLeO and Interlibrary Loan, as well as all Georgia Southern University Library catalog items.

May 23, 2025 (tentative): eResource Request Deadline

Continue to request eResources (eBooks, eJournals, streaming video, electronic databases). During the spring, there will be delays in processing these requests as we pause purchasing eResources on February 28. We expect to resume purchasing eResources in August 2025, on the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

June 15, 2025:  GIL Express Borrowing Pause

Requesting, borrowing, and lending through GIL Express will be suspended on June 15. It is strongly encouraged to plan ahead and consider any materials you may need for the Summer and Fall Semesters in advance of this deadline. GIL GaLiLeO services are expected to resume, with streamlined borrowing, in July 2025.

July 9 - July 15 (tentative): On-site check out limited - TBD

During this time, software for book and equipment checkout will be unavailable.  The Libraries anticipate continuing to checkout books, but may suspend checkout of laptops and other technology items.

July 16: The Georgia Southern University Libraries Go-Live in the new Library Services Platform

 

While the dates and information listed above are confirmed, they are estimations. Details may change and may require adjustments. The Georgia Southern University Libraries will continue to communicate updates on the library's website and in The MidWeek Memo. We appreciate your patience and understanding as all of the campus libraries work to improve our services for a better user experience.