IPSWICH, Mass. — August 2, 2021 — Durban University of Technology (DUT) is the first library in South Africa to adopt the FOLIO Library Services Platform (LSP). The implementation was conducted and executed by local service partner Universal Knowledge Software (UKS) and EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO). EBSCO will continue to offer infrastructure, integration and hosting services for the university with EBSCO FOLIO.
DUT’s Information Systems and Resources Library Manager, Sagren Moodley, says that FOLIO will provide opportunities for the library to build smart digital capacities. “The DUT Library is honored to be the first university library in Africa to join the FOLIO community in implementing a truly modern, open-source library services platform. FOLIO will integrate with other library systems, including DUT’s learning management system.”
DUT will leverage the FOLIO LSP for the management of users and circulation operations, as well as cataloging activities. The Library has integrated FOLIO with EBSCO Discovery Service™ (EDS) advancing the search experience for researchers and students and enabling them to easily locate materials digitally or within the library.
EBSCO’s Manager of FOLIO Consulting Services, Anya Arnold, says EBSCO has been working closely with UKS and DUT to create a more efficient library workflow. “DUT will benefit greatly from the customization offered by the FOLIO LSP. FOLIO was developed by libraries for libraries, offering core functionality found in traditional library systems while allowing libraries to meet their ever-changing needs.”
Universal Knowledge Software’s CEO, Neesha Ramsumar, says that UKS hopes to continue helping libraries in Africa to implement solutions that improve their workflows. “The FOLIO implementation at DUT has taken away the adage, ‘all libraries are the same,’ taking this highly flexible and cutting-edge open source software and tailoring it to suit the library’s needs. Adaptability is key to any library's success. As the first library to implement FOLIO in Africa, DUT is on their way to being Africa's pioneer."
About EBSCO Information Services
EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is the preeminent provider of online research content and search technologies serving academic, school and public libraries; healthcare and medical institutions; corporations; and government agencies around the world. From research, acquisition management, subscription services and discovery to clinical decision support and patient care, learning, and research and development, EBSCO provides institutions with access to content and resources to serve the information and workflow needs of their users and organizations. EBSCO Information Services is a division of EBSCO Industries, Inc., a family owned company since 1944. For more information, visit the EBSCO website at: www.ebsco.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Kathleen McEvoy
Vice President of Communications
kmcevoy@ebsco.com
978-414-0443
