Academic libraries, especially those in large, research-focused institutions such as private universities, independent colleges, and multi-campus higher education providers play a vital role in higher education. They support the research, learning, and teaching needs of students, academics, and staff, with a focus on resources that align with the institutional curriculum and research priorities. In large-scale academic libraries, this often involves managing millions of records, users, and resources across multiple campuses – making an efficient library management system essential.
Key Characteristics of Large Academic Libraries
Large academic libraries are defined by:
- Extensive, specialised collections tailored to the institution’s teaching and research focus, including journals, periodicals, electronic resources, and other resources that are relevant to the subjects and disciplines taught and studied.
- Advanced research-driven services, such as access to discovery platforms and interlibrary loans.
- High-supportive facilities, offering a wide range of study spaces, collaboration areas, and access to technology.
To effectively manage their vast collections and provide access to resources, large academic libraries rely on sophisticated Library Management Systems (LMS) like Libero 6. An LMS acts as the digital backbone of the library. It automates core functions such as cataloguing, acquisitions, circulation, and analytics. It also facilitates engagement with students, researchers, and faculty.
In large-scale academic environments, particularly within universities, an LMS must go well beyond basic functionality – offering scalability, automation, integration, and comprehensive support for both digital and physical resources.
A modern LMS enables academic libraries to operate with greater efficiency, expand their service offerings, and reinforce their value as a central resource within the institution.
Libero 6 offers a comprehensive, integrated platform that helps academic libraries fulfil their core mission of supporting the teaching, learning, and research needs of the academic community.
Designed to streamline library operations, it improves engagement with students, academics, and staff. It addresses common challenges such as inefficiencies, limited resources, and the growing demand for digital access. It is well-suited for large academic libraries requiring scalability, system integration, and robust performance.
1. Libero 6 is for Academic Library Staff
Academic library staff often deal with time-consuming manual workflows, complex acquisitions, and pressure to deliver more with limited resources. In large academic libraries, these challenges are magnified by the scale and complexity of operations. Libero 6 LMS replaces manual processes with automated, efficient workflows, freeing up valuable time for more specialised and student-centric tasks by offering:
- Automated Circulation: Routine tasks like check-ins/outs, managing holds, and calculating overdue fines are automated, reducing errors and saving time.
- Cataloguing and Acquisitions: A Libero 6 LMS facilitates efficient cataloguing by providing tools for creating and managing bibliographic records. The acquisitions module provides all the functionality academic library staff need to efficiently manage an order. The acquisitions functionality includes budgets, suppliers, orders, invoices, and MARC/supplier orders. With full integration into the Cataloguing, Serials and Circulation modules, library staff can centralise acquisitions processes at scale.
- Harvesting the Academic Landscape: Easily import MARC21 records from libraries and databases around the world with Z39.50 and SRU cataloguing support. Use OAI-PMH functionality for seamless integration and harvesting with external service providers.
- Inventory Management: Automated tracking of stock levels, including new acquisitions, missing items, and weeding processes, provides real-time insights into the collection’s status. This simplifies audits and ensures the physical collection is well-maintained. As Libero 6 is a web-based solution, you can easily manage resources across large campuses using a standard web browser.
- Interlibrary Loans (ILL): The Libero 6 ILL module enhances your academic library’s resource-sharing capabilities by enabling collaboration with other libraries and allowing members to request materials from external collections. This functionality provides access to items of temporary interest, rare or urgently needed materials, or resources that are too costly to purchase.
- Student Management: Connect with students via multiple channels to notify them about new titles and events on their preferred device. Easily update student information as they enrol, swap, and complete their courses.
Chemnitz University Library has been using Libero for almost 20 years and is very satisfied with the system and the service. Libero is flexible, user-friendly, and adaptable. In addition, a detailed eye to eye technical discussion with the tech savvy Libero team is possible. Chemnitz University Library
2. Libero 6 is for Students
Students expect seamless access to resources, flexible borrowing options, and personalised experiences, all while navigating complex academic demands. In large academic institutions, serving thousands of students efficiently requires a system built to scale. Libero 6 LMS enhances the student experience by offering:
- Resource Discovery and Access: The Libero 6 search and recommendation features ensure that students can discover relevant resources. Libero 6 Discovery makes it easier than ever for students to find the items and resources they are looking for. Using facets and filters, students can broaden searches in unexpected ways revealing items they will never have found using keywords alone.
- 24/7 Digital Access: With the Libero Library App, students can access and connect digitally with the library. The app gives students 24/7 access to their accounts, digital resources, and important updates – all from their mobile devices.
- Reading Lists: Students can access course-specific reading lists across print, electronic, and digital holdings, built and managed by academic staff to provide focused, accessible content.
- Resource Recommendations: Libero 6 will notify students about any new titles or documents as they are added to the system, ensuring that no new publication goes unnoticed. Email notifications include a direct link to each new resource and students can update their preferences for notifications whenever their interests change.
3. Libero 6 is for Academics
Academics require specialised access to resources for research and teaching and expect to contribute to collection development while navigating time constraints and institutional systems. For large academic libraries, this means providing fast, reliable access to high-value content and supporting faculty-led engagement. Libero 6 supports these needs by providing:
- Resource Discovery: Academics can quickly locate specialised journals, research databases, theses, and dissertations, crucial for in-depth scholarly work.
- InterLibrary Loans Service: Helps connects academics and researchers with a broader network of scholarly resources, so that they can request materials from other institutions if not available locally.
- Customised Purchase Requests: Academics can easily suggest new titles for purchase, contributing directly to the development of a collection that meets the evolving needs of their disciplines.
Conclusion
A modern Libero 6 LMS supports large academic libraries with tailored solutions that automates operations, streamlines access, and improves engagement across all user groups. By enhancing operational efficiency, expanding access to resources, and supporting academic excellence, Libero 6 ensures that the library remains a dynamic, responsive, and integral part of the academic community.
With 35% of Libero customers being academic institutions and a proven track record in the academic library sector, Libero 6 is already supporting some of the largest and most high-volume libraries in the field – managing over 4.5 million bibliographic records, 10 million items (including 2.2 million digital resources), and serving up to 70,000 users, with annual loans exceeding 1.3 million items.
Interested in discovering more about how Libero can elevate the library experience for your academic library? Get in touch with our team of experts to book a personalised demo.