Next Week: Library Services Freeze

Next week:  Library Services Freeze
May 23 - June 20, 2025

We are excited to announce that as a member of the OhioLINK consortium Archer Library will be upgrading its library services platform to Ex Libris Alma/Primo in the summer of 2025.

Our campus can expect an improved user experience with a more intuitive interface to find print and electronic articles, books and other kinds of library materials. As we get closer to “go live,” you will see more information about the new system and changes. Training will be available to help you through the transition.

In preparation for these beneficial enhanced library services, all OhioLINK libraries will pause requesting, lending and borrowing, beginning on May 23, 2025. OhioLINK library transactions will resume June 20, 2025, in conjunction with the release of our new library services platform. All Archer Library-owned and Ashland Theological Seminary Library-owned items will continue to circulate as normal.

Learn more on our Library Services Platform Guide.

Questions? email us at: library@ashland.edu.

Reminder • New Library Services Platform

About the Project

As a member of the OhioLINK library consortium, Archer Library and Ashland Theological Seminary Library will be upgrading our library system software to Ex Libris's Alma and Primo VE, scheduled to go live on June 18, 2025. The new system will replace the existing Library Catalog, OhioLINK/SearchOhio Catalogs, and OneSearch. All Libraries in OhioLINK are migrating to the new system.

What Does This Mean?

• New websites will replace the existing Library Catalog, OhioLINK/SearchOhio Catalogs, and OneSearch sites. The library collections will remain the same, but the interface used to search them will look different.
• There will be temporary interruptions to borrowing and requesting, purchase of new library materials, and updates to the library catalog.
• Links to items and searches in the Ashland Library Catalog and the OhioLINK/SearchOhio Catalogs will need to be updated.

Visit our Library Services Platform Migration site for additional information about this project, including a project timeline, information for instructors, and a preview of the new Library catalog.

New Library Services Platform

About the Project

As a member of the OhioLINK library consortium, Archer Library and Ashland Theological Seminary Library will be upgrading our library system software to Ex Libris's Alma and Primo VE, scheduled to go live on June 18, 2025. The new system will replace the existing Library Catalog, OhioLINK/SearchOhio Catalogs, and OneSearch. All Libraries in OhioLINK are migrating to the new system.

What Does This Mean?

• New websites will replace the existing Library Catalog, OhioLINK/SearchOhio Catalogs, and OneSearch sites. The library collections will remain the same, but the interface used to search them will look different.
• There will be temporary interruptions to borrowing and requesting, purchase of new library materials, and updates to the library catalog.
• Links to items and searches in the Ashland Library Catalog and the OhioLINK/SearchOhio Catalogs will need to be updated.

Visit our Library Services Platform Migration site for additional information about this project, including a project timeline, information for instructors, and a preview of the new Library catalog.

News • Library Databases

Archer Library Database Access 

Archer Library is excited to announce that access to online library collections, such as databases, eBooks, articles, and journals, will utilize Microsoft SSO (single sign on) for off-campus authentication. We are also changing our proxy server host to provide secure access to these resources. These changes will take place on Tuesday, December 17th. 

What does this mean? 

If you have library databases, journals, eBooks, or article links bookmarked for personal use, or added to courses on Blackboard, they will need to be updated with the new proxy URL. We recommend using Archer Library's A-Z Database List as a starting point to access resources and update permalinks that require authentication. 

• If you have questions, our Course Content • Can I Use this? guide will be updated to address these changes and reflect use of library resources in your online course. 
• In-person help at the start of the spring term will be available on Thursday, January 2 and Friday, January 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the active learning lab, Archer Library main floor. If you have questions, stop in for help.

Student IT Help Desk

Student IT Help Desk Hours 

Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. 

Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Saturday: Noon - 4 p.m. 

Information Technology Help Desk 

As part of our services designed to assist students, the IT Help Desk offers the following: 

• Password Reset and Login Assistance: help in regaining access to accounts and resolution of login-related issues. 
• Virus Scan and Performance Optimization for Student-Owned Computers: assistance in scanning for viruses and optimizing the performance of personal computers. 
• Connecting Devices to Ashland University Wi-Fi: guidance through the process of connecting Wi-Fi enabled devices to the university's Wi-Fi network for internet access. 
• Blackboard Support: support and troubleshooting for any difficulties related to the Blackboard learning platform. 
• Student Printer Connections: assistance in connecting devices to university printers to print essential academic materials. 
• Support for Ashland University-Owned Computers: Support and resolution of technical issues with university-owned computers.

New Interlibrary Loan Login

Book & Article Requests

Interlibrary loan book and article request forms have been successfully migrated to Microsoft login and authentication.  The forms have not changed, only access has been updated. 

ILL Article Request

Articles requested through interlibrary loan are e-mailed directly to the requester. 

ILL Book Request

Books requested through interlibrary loan are delivered to the main campus Library's Circulation Desk. An email will be sent when items are ready to be picked up.

Learn more about interlibrary loan services on the Archer Library website. If you have questions about interlibrary loan, contact them via email at ill@ashland.edu.

Post originally published on the Archer Library News Blog • 5/17/23.

Interlibrary Loan • Forms Offline

Book & Article Requests

We are in the process of changing over Archer Library and Ashland Theological Seminary Library's Interlibrary Loan article and book request forms from Google to Microsoft authentication. Forms are currently displaying error messages and/or redirecting users back to the library website.

Interlibrary loan remains available; please send full citation information for articles and book requests to the Interlibrary Loan email:  ill@ashland.edu. Be sure to send the requests using your Ashland University email account.

We apologize for the inconvenience and will post updates as soon they become available.

Post originally published on the Archer Library News Blog • 5/15/23.

AU Library Active Learning Lab

Ashland University Library’s faculty and staff are excited to announce that construction work has begun on a new active learning lab/classroom! The Bernice Fauber Baker Active Learning Laboratory will have its home on the main floor of the library, with a design and technological features representing an innovative departure from the long rows of desks and desktop computers of the previous library classroom.

AU Library Active Learning Lab:  June 30, 2020

The construction project is funded by a donation from the Bernice Fauber Baker Library Endowment, with a matching gift from the Bob and Jan Archer Challenge Grant. The active learning equipment and furnishings are supported by a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), awarded by the State Library of Ohio.

- Scott Savage, AU Library Director

Today! Survey Kick-Off Event

Today's the day! 

Join us for our survey kick-off event from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, on the library main floor. Refreshments will be served, and all attendees will have a chance to win a kick-off event prize.  See you there!

AU Library Survey

LibQUAL Survey
Today Ashland University students, faculty, and staff will receive an email containing information about and a link to our library service quality - or LibQUAL - survey. As we plan for Ashland University Library’s future, it is important that we understand perceptions and expectations of our campus community.

Your opinion counts! 
Take the survey and enter for chance to win 1 of 31 available prizes. Scan the code, go online, and let your voice be heard.  Already working online?  Use the survey link @ http://bit.ly/AU-LIBQUAL19 for access.

The AU Library Podcast

We're Podcasting!

Join us for conversations inside and outside AU Library stacks as we discuss topics of interest to the Ashland University community.

The Ashland University Library Podcast is hosted on Anchor.fm and available for your listening pleasure on seven podcast platforms: Anchor, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and Radio Public.


Visit the Ashland University Library Podcast library guide for more information about where to find our podcast on Anchor, how a podcast fits with the library's strategic plan, general podcasting resources, and a form to suggest episode topics. You can even listen to new episode on our library guide!

AU Library Databases: Off Campus

We are excited to announce AU Library database authentication is now the same password as Blackboard, WebAdvisor, and AU Gmail. When accessing our databases from off campus, use your AU network username and password to login. Yes! One less password to remember.

If you experience problems with off campus access, please contact the library at ext 5402 or via email library@ashland.edu.

Library Update: Main Floor

The outside of AU Library is not the only place where work was done to improve the building this summer. Early this week, a month long comprehensive main floor reorganization project was completed.

We now have a spacious, bright work area on the library main floor with comfortable seating, cafe tables, and group tables.

Where is this located? Enter AU Library through the main doors and turn right; you will see our computer and print stations, copy machines, and the faculty publication display. The area adjacent is our new work / study/ lounge area. We have great green views of Founders Hall and the sunlight pouring into the library is simply amazing.

Print Journals:
Recent issues of print journal collection are located on the east side of the main floor (facing Founders).  Print journal stacks have been moved to the sixth floor.

Library 6th floor:
Student work areas remain on available on the 6th floor. Study areas are located on the north side of the building (facing College Avenue).

Ohio & Government Documents:
AU Library is a Federal Depository for government documents. Our Ohio and Government docs have been moved to the west side of the main floor, adjacent to the reference collection.

Welcome back to AU Library!

Library Window Display

A sure sign of back-to-school? Great new main entrance display windows created by Ashland University Library and the Center for Academic Support.

What's New? Instant Answers

It's time for finals ... and we know you're crazy busy.

Here's a quick new way to get extended hours and phone information from AU Library and the Instructional Resource Center. Instant Answers provides opportunity for you to text* specific key words and have automatic answers sent directly to your phone, tablet, or other mobile device.

Choose from the following sets of key words:

• extended hours - receive the library extended hours schedule
• library phone - receive the library main and reference phone numbers
• IRC hours - receive IRC finals week & summer hours schedule
• IRC phone - receive the IRC phone number

Stay tuned. We will be adding more options during the summer months.

*Key words are not case sensitive. Standard messaging rates may apply for each text.

Library email notices

If you currently are not receiving email notices from the library such as courtesy notices and hold/pickup notices, please check your email spam folder. Be sure to mark any messages from the library as “not spam” so that emails from that address will not be classified as spam.

Remember, the My Library Account link on the web site provides options to view and renew books online and check status of requests. Questions?  Stop at the circulation desk, AU Library main floor, for additional information.

* This post was originally published on the AU Library News Blog 10/1/14

Library & IRC Closed: 1/6/14

Ashland University Library and the Instructional Resource Center (IRC) will be closed Monday, January 6th.

As reported on the University web site and campus alerts, classes are cancelled and offices closed on Monday (1/6).

"University & Seminary Closed Monday; Classes Canceled for Monday & Tuesday - All AU campuses closed Monday due to weather conditions and all AU classes are canceled for Monday & Tuesday of this week. Essential staff only will report to work on Monday."

Information regarding hours for Tuesday, January 7th, will be posted as it becomes available.

Library Server: Updates

Library servers are currently off-line for updates.  In addition to the catalog and online renewal, access to library databases - authentication - from off campus is unavailable during this process.

Thank you for your patience. We hope to be back online and fully operational soon.

* Originally published on the AU Library News Blog.

Library Catalog & Server Updates

Beginning at 1:00 pm on Friday, October 5th, Library servers will be offline for updating. As a result, the AU Library catalog, renewing books with my library account, and online circulation will be unavailable. We recommend using the OhioLINK catalog during this time.

Updates will be posted here, on the AU Library Facebook page, and the IRC Twitter account. Thank you for your patience during this update.

* Originally posted on the AU Library News & Information Blog.

Text a librarian

Text service is now available from AU Library.  You can text a reference librarian at 419-768-6106. If a reference librarian is not available (they'll BRB), a response will be sent whenever the next reference librarian is on duty.