Frequently Asked Questions
What does this mean for students, staff, faculty, and other library users?
- Library users now have a new tool for discovering articles, books, media, and more in one search.
- There is a single, intuitive search interface for print and electronic resources.
- Users can quickly find resources at Winthrop University, as well as those available at 54 other South Carolina academic libraries.
What can I expect during the migration period?
- Library users will begin using the new OneSearch discovery interface to find articles, books, media, and more in a single, intuitive interface!
- PASCAL Delivers service will will resume as an integrated part of the new platform.
- If there were any errors during data migration, we will spend the summer cleaning up those problems. Such problems may include broken links in the catalog and missing or incomplete e-resources. Please be patient as we clean up data during this migration period.
Will I still have access to the current Dacus Library Online Catalog?
- No. After June 30, 2020, the Dacus Library Online Catalog will be retired.
What are some of the improvements I can look forward to?
- The shared system includes a single, intuitive search interface for print and digital resources. Moreover, a powerful and customizable search interface will allow Winthrop University students and faculty to quickly find resources on our campus, as well as those available through the PASCAL community.
- Transfer students, faculty working and studying at multiple institutions, and distance education learners who access resources from more than one institution will no longer encounter a different search interface at each institution. We believe that will translate into less frustration and better, more faithful research experiences.
How was this decision made?
- The decision to move to a shared library system was made collaboratively by South Carolina academic libraries through the Partnership Among South Carolina Academic Libraries (PASCAL), a consortium that includes 56 South Carolina colleges and universities. With the help of an expert consultant, PASCAL members evaluated the available systems on the market and developed a governance structure for managing the implementation and operation of the system. PASCAL members and staff then wrote a detailed request for proposals, outlining the features and functionality required for a statewide library services platform. Review of bids submitted in response to this RFP was governed by the South Carolina procurement code. Documents related to the award may be viewed on the Division of Procurement Services website.
Why are we moving from multiple to stand-alone systems to a shared system?
- The primary goal of this statewide systems upgrade is to enrich the research experience of students while assisting faculty and staff in their scholarly and professional pursuits. South Carolina's academic libraries have a long tradition of collaboration that efficiently increased student and faculty access to information resources. Over the years, PASCAL has provided access to thousands of journals and ebooks, and through PASCAL Delivers, millions of print books in member libraries. The new shared system represents an important step in collaboration. It will improve our efficiencies through shared services and cloud-based opportunities; allow institutions to better manage print and digital collections; and increase our analytic capabilities. A shared platform provides the greatest opportunity and flexibility for sharing resources and services that will support students, faculty, and staff at all our member institutions.
How is this new system different?
- This new shared system will operate in a cloud computing environment, with the various pieces needed to manage 21st century library operations developed interconnectedly. Because it is managed "in the cloud," many libraries will no longer need to maintain servers and manage systems as they currently do. Services that libraries purchased separately, for example link resolvers, discovery layers, serials management, and authority control, are now all part of this new system. The architecture is designed to better incorporate, manage discover, and access electronic resources. Resource sharing among our institutions is critical, as is a "next generation" public interface that allows library users to discover and access the complex universe of available resources. Having one system will improve the research experience for our users and allow staff to create value added services.
How is the cost shared?
- Funding for the shared system also represents an important collaborative step: Lottery funds supplied by the General Assembly have funded the startup and implementation of the system, while member library fees will provide for its upkeep. Overall, the system will increase statewide access to resources, while saving costs over individual implementations.
