System Migration - Lessons learned from a migration implemented in under 12 months

Abstract

In 2010, the Emory Library system migrated to ExLibris' Aleph v 20. The migration was completed and the new ILS launched in under one calendar year (almost half the time usually allotted for such a project) and also took place in mid-semester. Changing from one ILS to another presents a wide array of challenges, especially for Access Services staff. Emory had been using Unicorn for nearly 16 years and much of the library workflow had become fused with the software used to perform this work. In order to begin much of the planning with Ex Libris for the migration, library staff had to try to separate the task from the tool. This provided Access Services staff with opportunities to reevaluate and reimagine how the library delivered services and interacted with its patrons. This presentation will cover what we learned and things we wish we'd known (what succeeded and what we missed), the importance of timing and timelines, vendor selection, the role of staff stress and overload to the success of this type of project and what's next.