The University Libraries is migrating to a new software system underlying their online catalog. The migration will be completed by December 2013. As part of this, the existing software will be taken down and with it will go MNCAT Classic. There will be an overlapping period of service in advance of the switchover. Continue reading for full info.
In advance of this switchover, we will have an overlapping period of the new system - Primo Central service (i.e., single search for UMN catalog, articles, and other items) - running with MNCAT Classic. In December with the final switchover, MNCAT Classic will disappear.
As you may have noticed, we have inserted a prominent message on the MNCAT Classic interface that simply states:
Alert: MNCAT Classic to be retired in December 2013
The message also includes a link to an FAQ. The Libraries are encouraging users to share thoughts about what features of MNCAT Classic are important to them. We will have a sandbox version of the new MNCAT available sometime this summer. Users who submit their email address will be invited to take an early look as soon as the sandbox version is available. The Libraries are truly interested in getting the involvement of 'power users' to help them with final changes and decisions to be made prior to the switchover and launch. If you are a power user of either the new MNCAT or the traditional MNCAT Classic, this is an important opportunity that you may wish to consider.
We do not yet have an exact date for the full launch of the new Primo Central. This date will be determined by the implementation group, as they work through all the decisions and configurations that must be made prior to launch.
Check out the FAQ above and, even though this is happening over the Summer months, you may wish to get actively involved to help us get this new system not only up-and-running, but tweaked to meet your needs!
-Nancy K. Herther; Librarian for American Studies, Anthropology, Asian American Studies & Sociology; 612-624-2020
