VANCOUVER, B.C. — August 17, 2026 — UBC Library, with support from UBC Information Technology (UBC IT), has launched a major project to upgrade the library management and discovery systems to the modern, integrated cloud-based platforms, Alma and Primo. The project will provide a more stable, supported and future-ready foundation for how library resources are managed, discovered and delivered across both UBC campuses.
As the second largest academic research library in Canada, UBC Library manages a complex and growing environment that includes more than 4.3 million e-books, 5.7 million physical items, 351,000 e-journals, 3,500 databases and a broad network of service points and scholarly resources. The library’s current library management system will no longer be supported or maintained by its vendor after 2027, and upgrading now helps UBC Library transition to an environment that offers a better library user experience.
“Academic libraries today must support a wide range of resource formats, collections and user needs,” says Julie Mitchell, University Librarian pro tem. “This upgrade project represents an important investment in the future of UBC Library. By modernizing a core part of our infrastructure, it will strengthen how we manage and provide access to print, electronic and digital resources, improving the user experience for students, faculty, staff and other researchers to discover and connect with the library’s collections and resources.”
Alma is a modern library software system, developed by Clarivate, that can manage the library’s many diverse resources through a single platform, creating clear workflows for library employees and a more unified experience for users. Its companion search and discovery service, Primo, integrates seamlessly with Alma to provide an intuitive user interface to search through the library’s catalogue and find resources. Alma will replace the library’s current management system, Voyager, while Primo will replace the library’s legacy search and discovery systems, the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) and Summon.
The new platforms will also strengthen the systems that operate behind the scenes, bringing together core functions such as acquisitions, cataloguing, circulation and electronic resource management to streamline workflows, improve integrations and reduce reliance on manual workarounds or aging system connections.
UBC Library will follow a phased rollout using established university procedures for large-scale technology projects, with an anticipated go-live date of summer 2027. Each phase will include steps for consultation, planning and testing. Throughout the project, the library will share timely updates, guidance and support resources with the UBC community. Most library services will continue as usual during the transition. Some services may experience temporary changes as we prepare for the move to Alma and Primo. Where changes to timelines, workflows or service availability are necessary, the library will communicate them clearly in advance.
Collaboration will remain central throughout the project. UBC Library welcomes all feedback from users across both UBC campuses on our project page.
More information about the project, including key milestones, updates, training and support resources for faculty, researchers, student and staff and other library patrons will be shared at https://about.library.ubc.ca/news/library-management-platform
