The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage has approved the National Library’s list of institutions in which the world's most cutting edge library system ALMA will be implemented. One of them is the Library of Wrocław University of Science and Technology, with the best qualifying score in the country.

Our library entered the “National Reading Development Programme 2.0 for 2021-2025” competition, announced by the National Library in December, in which the prize is implementation and maintenance of the ALMA system. According to the ranking list published, we rank first on the list of institutions qualified to receive the software.

The implementation will cover 16 large public libraries and those included in the Nationwide Library Network and 124 public libraries from the Świętokrzyskie, Łódzkie, and Lubelskie voivodships.

A system fit for the 21st century

The ALMA system is modern, free of charge, cloud-based software. Its combined catalogues allow libraries to develop new forms of activity while comprehensively providing users with information on library collections developed in line with uniform principles. As a result of this characteristic, there is no need to install the system locally, maintain server facilities, or purchase licences. It will be operated via a web browser, and libraries will have access to regular software updates.

– The software will make it possible for us to perform our tasks to the highest world standard – says Jędrzej Leśniewski, Director of the Library of Wrocław University of Science and Technology. – It’s currently one of the most advanced library and resource management systems of its kind in the world. Not only does it operate in the cloud, but it’s based on processes rather than document type. What’s more, it allows for unified management of resources – no matter if it’s about traditional materials, ones that were originally electronic, or already digitised ones – adds Jędrzej Leśniewski.

Institutions that use ALMA daily include the University of Cambridge, Harvard University, Boston College, and Princeton University Library, and in Poland – the National Library and the Jagiellonian Library in Cracow.

– It’s noteworthy that Wrocław Tech’s library resources will be catalogued together with the National Library – says Jędrzej Leśniewski. – This means that our collection will be visible from the common catalogue of the National Library and other Polish libraries that belong to the National Library Network.

Our university will also receive free access to the PRIMO search engine as part of the package. Wrocław Tech will see the implementation of both systems in late 2022 and early 2023.

All costs of connecting and maintaining the system will be borne by the National Library.