Alexandria Library To Introduce New Online Catalog System, Service Disruptions Expected

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria Library is upgrading its online catalog system, but it will come with a few disruptions along the way.

The new library system by Innovative Clarivate will launch on Aug. 19. According to Alexandria Library, "it will provide an upgraded user experience for patrons and staff and make it easier to discover the Library's collection of books, audiobooks, DVDs and more."

According to the library system, the new online catalog will provide a unified title display to show all available print, digital and audio formats of materials in one place. Patrons will also have series information to see if a title is part of a series, personalized recommendations, and saved searches to track access past results and find new titles by a favorite author or topic. Information for children's books will also be improved with details like Lexile measures, Accelerated Reader scores and recommended age and grade levels.

The process involves moving hundreds of thousands of records to the new system. To prepare for the transition to the new system, all Alexandria Library locations will be closed on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Other disruptions will occur leading up to the new catalog system's implementation on Aug. 19. Starting on July 18, library patrons will not be able to place holds on materials until after the transition is complete on Aug. 19.

From Aug. 7 to 18, there will be no online system to check in returned materials. Any returned materials during this time will be checked in when the new system goes live on Aug. 19. Materials can still be checked out during this time. The online catalog will not be updated to reflect which materials are available, checked out or on hold.

The library will also not add any new periodical issues or books to the collection from July 18 to Aug. 18. New library card applications will not be accepted from Aug. 7 to 18.

Existing library patrons with accounts in good standing can continue to access digital resources and check out physical materials. The library will continue to make PMaterials on Libby, patron computers and printing available.