UCSB Library Search and Melvyl Retiring July 27
UC Library Search will vastly improve the user experience of faculty, students, and researchers worldwide who need to access collections across the University of California system. This new discovery tool will replace Melvyl and UCSB Library Search on July 27, 2021.
The interface of UC Library Search will be familiar to those who have used UCSB Library Search, yet with enhanced functions. For example, you will no longer have to navigate to the separate Melvyl system in order to locate materials owned by other UC Libraries. Instead, you will use UC Library Search to search both our local library holdings as well as holdings available across the entire UC Library system.
Melvyl, the discovery platform for the UC libraries, debuted in 1981 and revolutionized the UC Library system by allowing researchers to find books at other UC campuses through computer terminals on their own campuses. Melvyl relied on a complex patchwork system that connected multiple catalogs and databases in order to coordinate the sharing of collection materials across campuses. However, the technical resources of these systems became unsustainable over time, posing a risk to the Melvyl system. UC libraries started working toward a better solution.
Rather than using Melvyl, which links separate catalogs from different institutions, all University of California libraries will now share one unified discovery tool. UC Library Search will maximize the value of the UC collections by making resources much easier to find and borrow thanks to its improved interlibrary resource sharing tools and simplified user interface.
As Melvyl approaches retirement, let's celebrate the 40 years of service it has given to UC Library users and welcome UC Library Search - the discovery tool of our future.
See more information about UC Library Search and send us your questions or comments about UC Library Search.
