Library Service Platform Migration

About the Project

As a member of the OhioLINK library consortium, Archer Library and Ashland Theological Seminary Library will be upgrading our library system software to Ex Libris's Alma and Primo VE, scheduled to go live on June 18, 2025. The new system will replace the existing Library Catalog, OhioLINK/SearchOhio Catalogs, and OneSearch. All Libraries in OhioLINK are migrating to the new system.

What Does This Mean?

• New websites will replace the existing Library Catalog, OhioLINK/SearchOhio Catalogs, and OneSearch sites. The library collections will remain the same, but the interface used to search them will look different.
• There will be temporary interruptions to borrowing and requesting, purchase of new library materials, and updates to the library catalog.
• Links to items and searches in the Ashland Library Catalog and the OhioLINK/SearchOhio Catalogs will need to be updated.

Visit our Library Services Platform Migration site for additional information about this project, including a project timeline, information for instructors, and a preview of the new Library catalog.

Update: Library Catalog

Library Catalog Available

Security issues have been resolved and access to Archer Library's catalog has been restored. Thank you for your patience.  If you have problems accessing the catalog, or your library account, please feel free to contact the library:

• Library Circulation:  419-289-5400
• Email: library@ashland.edu
• Ask a Librarian Chat:  Library website

Library Catalog • Additional Information

Using the OhioLINK Classic Catalog

Here are a few tips for successfully using the Advanced Search option OhioLINK Classic catalog to conduct a search for Archer Library Resources. After choosing OhioLINK Classic Catalog, select Advanced search, located directly below the keyword search bar.

Enter your search term and LIMIT the search by LOCATION to Ashland University. It is one of the top entries in the location drop-down menu. Submit your search.

Search results will then be limited to items in Archer Library's collection.  If we do not have the item, remove the location limit and return to the main OL catalog. As always, you are able to request items from OhioLINK. 

If you need help renewing a book, please contact the circulation desk at 419-289-5400. They will be able to check your record and renew titles as needed.

We appreciate your continued patience as we work to resolve this problem.

Notice • Library Catalog

Archer Library's catalog is currently unavailable. We are working to restore access and appreciate you patience. 

Catalog Options

It is possible to access catalog resources using the OhioLINK Catalog, OhioLINK Classic Catalog, or OneSearch on the library website. 

For example: Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone

Review the list of library holdings, OhioLINK libraries owning the resource will display their availability. If Archer Library has the resource, it will display in the list as Ashland U (see below). If you need to request a title we do not have, select the green request button and follow the steps detailed.

Library Catalog Unavailable [Resolved]

The library catalog is currently unavailable. AU Library holdings can still be viewed using the OneSearch searchbox and limiting your search to "AU Library Catalog". If you need to request materials or have an account question, please call 419-289-5400.

[Update- The library catalog has been restored and all functions should be available. Please email library@ashland.edu if you have any issues.]

Update: Library Systems & Catalog

The AU Library catalog is once again operational and all systems are normal. Thanks for your patience.

AU Library System Down

AU Library's system/catalog is down at this time. What does this mean for our patrons? 

Patron Accounts - If you are trying to renew books online, the system will not allow you to login. You can either wait until the system is back online or contact the Circulation Desk @ 419.289.5400. 

Catalog  - We are unable to look up items in the AU Library Catalog, both On-Campus and Off-Campus. To search for a book, use the OhioLINK catalog. Select the Advance Search option and set the location to [Ashland U (ASH)]. This will search for items owned by the AU Library. If you need any assistance, contact the Reference Desk (until 7:00 PM) @ 419.289.5402. Items are available for checkout.

Our Databases and OneSearch are all working properly at this time. 

If you come across any other issues or need ANY assistance, please feel free to contact us at the above numbers.

We apologize for any inconvenience and we will give updates when available.

Update: Resources Available

All online library resources are once again available. If you experience any problems with access to our catalog or databases, please contact the library at ext 5400 or email us: library@ashland.edu.

Thanks for your patience during IT's planned outage and network maintenance.

Library Resources Down as IT makes major change to network

As of late Thursday most library resources are inaccessible as IT makes a major change to the campus network.  We have been given no estimate of how long it will take to resolve the problems.

Library Access Wednesday 6/3

The library will remain closed through Wednesday, June 3rd, and will return to regular summer hours on Thursday.  Online library resources will be inaccessible part of Wednesday as the changeover to the new electical system is made.  If you have problems or questions, please write to us at library@ashland.edu.

Library Closed but Online Services Restored

The library will be closed through Wednesday because of electrical system work, but online library services have been restored. You should be able to request or renew OhioLINK items or get to databases. If you continue to have access problems, please write to library@ashland.edu

Library Systems: Server Down

AU Library's circulation system (server) is currently down.  The library catalog is not available, OL requests will not be processed through our system, and it is not possible to view your record and renew items.

It is possible to pick up OL requests, course reserves, and check out general items.  For help with renewals and circulation, please call the main desk at ext 5400.

The OhioLINK catalog remains available; to locate AU library items, use OL catalog advanced search and limit search result location (1) to Ashland University (2).

We hope to have the problem rectified soon, updates will be posted throughout the day.

Library Catalog Problem Corrected

Off-campus access to the library catalog has been restored, along with everything that depends on it, including the ability to place OhioLINK requests and get off-campus access to OhioLINK's Electronic Journal Center.  If you have any difficulty getting access to any library resources, close your browser and ty again, and if problems continue contact us at library@ashland.edu or text us at 419-768-6106.

Library Catalog Down

We are experiencing difficulty with off-campus access to the Library Catalog and with ordering OhioLINK materials from either on- or off-campus.  We will post a message here when the problems have been resolved.

Library Website Gets a New Look

The Ashland University Library website has been redesigned around a new way of searching library resources called "OneSearch."  OneSearch allows you to search the AU Library Catalog, the OhioLINK Central Catalog, and most of our databases from a single search line on the library main page.

Over the upcoming weeks we will use this blog to highlight various aspects of OneSearch and the new website.  In the meantime, let us know your thoughts or questions.  You can write to us at library@ashland.edu, call us at 419-289-5402, or text us at 419-768-6106.

Take some time to explore OneSearch and see what you think.

Library Hours: Campus Power Outage 6/13

Due to the main campus power outage scheduled for Thursday, June 13th:

• AU Library will close at 5:00 pm 

Library servers located on main campus will be off-line during the scheduled power outage. Users will not be able to:

• Access library databases
• Use the library catalog
• View and renew their library account
• Request OhioLINK books
• Authenticate for database use via OhioLINK

We anticipate servers being online beginning at 8:00 am on Friday, June 14th.

Update: Upgrade Complete

The AU Library systems upgrade is now complete! The library catalog, circulation, my library account,OhioLINK borrowing, and patron authentication are fully functional. If you experience any problems, please contact the circulation desk at ext. 5400.

Thank you for your patience during this transition to Sierra systems platform.

Update: Library Catalog live

The library systems update is partially complete; basic AU Library catalog search and options to view (not renew) my library account are available. OhioLINK requests are not yet fully functional. We anticipate all areas working within the next few hours.

Update: Library Systems Upgrade

At 11 am today (11/15) AU Library systems will be down for a scheduled upgrade.

We anticipate this outage lasting through the afternoon. During this time there will be no online circulation functions, patron authentication or OhioLINK borrowing available.

• Off line circulation will be in place; pick-up and check out books as usual.
• Please use the OhioLINK catalog to locate books and other resources.
• Library account information will be processed after the upgrade is complete.
• Contact the AU Library circulation desk if you have questions at x5400. 

Updates will be posted here, on the AU Library Facebook page and via the IRC Twitter feed. Thank you in advance for your patience during this time.

Library System Upgrade

Beginning at 11 am on Thursday (11/15) AU Library systems will be down for a scheduled upgrade. We anticipate this outage lasting through the afternoon. During this time there will be no online circulation functions, patron authentication or OhioLINK borrowing available.

• Off line circulation will be in place; pick-up and check out books as usual.
• Please use the OhioLINK catalog to locate books and other resources.
• Library account information will be processed after the upgrade is complete.
• Contact the AU Library circulation desk if you have questions at x5400. 

Updates will be posted here, on the AU Library Facebook page and via the IRC Twitter feed. Thank you in advance for your patience during this time.