Library Management System
We are happy to announce that our new library search is now live and ready for use.
For help and advice, or if you'd like to give us feedback, please contact us via library@st-andrews.ac.uk Alternatively, you can speak to colleagues at the Main Library help desk.
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After many months of hard work by our project team, we are very happy to say that our new library search system is now live and ready for use. This replaces our previous systems, including Encore and Classic catalogue, all of which were decommissioned by the developers.
The previous Library Management System, including library search, had been in se at St Andrews for over eight years, was classed as ‘end of life’ by its developers, and no longer met accessibility standards.
Our goal was to replace our old system with a world-leading Library Management System, with an integrated reading lists platform, which would make it easier for our users to discover and access the digital and print materials we have been collecting for over 600 years. We believe our new system does just that.
We would like to say a huge thank you to our project board, and to all colleagues across Libraries & Museums, as well as the many colleagues and students from across the University for their help and patience in helping make this project a success.
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Library search, locate your book, bookmarking for reading lists
Library search
As before, you can search across all of our collections in the box on the library homepage, or directly via the new search page. You can also use the Advanced search to build more precise enquiries.
We recommend signing in to your account – this allows you to view your record, items you have on loan, and to access saved records and previous searches.
For more a more in-depth look at how the new search works, with search tips, ‘how to’ videos, accessibility information and more, visit our guide.
Locate your book
As part of the update, we’ve been able to bring back the ‘locate’ feature. This means that, once you’ve found your required item in library search, you can click the ‘locate’ button to view a map of where the book can be found.
This feature is still being updated so is something of a work in progress, and we welcome any feedback from our users.
Bookmarking for reading lists
While we will be updating our reading list system soon (see ‘what’s next’ below), we took the decision to wait until the new system was in place, ensuring a smooth transition. As such, reading lists can be used and updated as before. There is some new information about bookmarking items for reading lists available in our guide.
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Reading lists, help and training, updates and feedback
Reading lists
In summer 2025 we’ll launch our new, integrated reading list platform. This will replace Talis, our current reading list software. We have taken the decision to roll out this change later in the year to make sure that everything goes smoothly with the implementation of the new system, and ensure that all users (Libraries & Museums staff included) have had time to familiarise themselves with the new systems and properly prepare for the next stage.
We’ll have more information about this part of the project soon, but the new integrated system will make it easier to edit reading lists and request additional materials for teaching, as well as providing improved accessibility functionality.
In the short term, no action is required. Reading lists will continue to be available while the work is undertaken – this includes editing and creation of new lists – and all current links have been updated.
More information about reading lists is available for staff and students.
Help and training
We’ve worked with the developers to make the new system as intuitive as possible, but we understand that you may have questions. As mentioned above, we do have a guide available on the website, but if you have any queries, or would like to request some training, please do get in touch and we’ll help however we can.
Updates and feedback
New features and updates will become available on a rolling basis. As such, we are very keen to hear from our users with any feedback about their experiences - all suggestions or queries are helpful to us as we continue to make improvements to the new search. Please email us at library@st-andrews.ac.uk
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Links to useful information
New search page - you can search from here, or the library homepage. Also includes some useful information about the system.
Library search guide – contains tabs for general info, search tips, how to videos, your account, and accessibility.
Library Management System – contains general information about the system update, including what has changed, and what’s next.
