LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network has signed an agreement to implement Alma and Primo VE from Clarivate, modernizing Louisiana’s academic library infrastructure to better support student and faculty access to academic resources.
Established in 1992 by the Louisiana Board of Regents, LOUIS is a consortium of 47 academic libraries united to provide cost-effective information resources, services and technology that advance teaching, learning and research across the state.
The transition to Alma and Primo VE will consolidate LOUIS member libraries’ separate systems into a unified, cloud-based platform. The move is expected to deliver estimated annual cost savings of more than $100,000, or approximately 15% of current costs, with potential additional savings of up to $430,000 per year through platform consolidation.
This modern infrastructure will enhance how students discover and access research materials while providing improved tools for library staff to manage collections and support users more efficiently. Implementation costs will be covered centrally through LOUIS, ensuring that individual campuses will not incur additional technology expenses as part of the modernization.
“As called for in our strategic plan, LOUIS meets member needs by providing statewide access to critical technologies, resources and information for all students and faculty,” said Emily Frank, Interim Associate Commissioner and Executive Director for LOUIS. “The transition to Alma enables academic libraries and enhances how users discover and access collections. This investment in innovative digital technology infrastructure will positively impact higher education institutions across Louisiana.”
The transition follows the completion of a comprehensive three-year technology assessment conducted by a working group of 17 library faculty and staff representing both public and private two-year and four-year institutions across the state. By approaching the transition as a consortium, LOUIS is able to leverage shared expertise while implementing a scalable platform designed to support long-term sustainability.
“Consortia play a critical role in expanding equitable access to academic resources while driving operational efficiency,” said Yoel Goldenberg, Senior Vice President, Product Management at Clarivate. “By adopting Alma and Primo VE as a shared platform, LOUIS is strengthening collaboration across its member libraries and delivering a modern discovery and management experience that benefits students, faculty and library staff statewide.”
The agreement represents a significant step forward for Louisiana’s higher education community, demonstrating how a unified library services platform can improve user experience, streamline operations and create meaningful cost savings at scale.
