In the fast-advancing landscape of technology and user expectations, anticipating the future of library software is not just an aspiration but a necessity. That’s why Ex Libris, a part of Clarivate, is embarking on a transformative journey toward a new user experience (UX) for our Primo discovery solution. This update is rooted in our commitment to continuous development, responsiveness to user feedback, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies.
Why the Change?
Several factors have propelled Primo library discovery service towards this paradigm shift. Alongside the technological advancements that have provided the foundation for a more robust and efficient system, the decision to overhaul the user interface (UI) is driven by a sincere desire to enhance user experience and flows, aligning with the valuable insights gained from customer and user feedback on the current system.
The updated interface is designed to be more intuitive and visually appealing for our future users, facilitating seamless navigation through vast amounts of information. Modern, future-looking design principles, coupled with user feedback, aim to optimize the discovery process, ensuring the users of tomorrow can effortlessly find relevant content. Accessibility improvements further underscore our commitment to inclusivity, making the platform accessible to a broader audience.
What is Currently in Progress?
The Primo product team is actively engaging with the newly formed Primo UX Focus Group comprised of community members from distinguished institutions contributing greatly from their knowledge, expertise and insightful considerations. This collaboration involves ongoing discussions on various UX elements, ensuring the new design aligns with diverse user needs. There is also the central discovery index and the library discovery platform.
Customization solutions for the new UI are being scrutinized through collaboration with a group of customers. The design stage for existing components is underway, with initial development focusing on essential components like the search bar, brief results page, and full display page.
The Road Ahead
The timeline for this ambitious project outlines a meticulous plan. Initial pages for testing are set to be released in late 2024, marking the beginning of a comprehensive evaluation process. By mid-2025, institutions will have the opportunity to go live with the new Primo VE UI, ushering in a new era of discovery.
Rollout Strategy
We are taking a user-centric approach by allowing institutions to test and customize the new UI according to their timelines. This phased rollout strategy ensures that institutions can seamlessly transition to the enhanced Primo VE Discovery at their own pace, maximizing user satisfaction and system integration.
The journey towards a new UX for Primo Discovery is not just a technological upgrade but a commitment to providing an enriched and accessible discovery experience for the users of tomorrow, for years to come. As libraries prepare for the future, Primo stands as a beacon of innovation, user-centric design and forward thinking.
For more information on this, check out our article Primo Next Discovery Experience User Interface on the Knowledge Center.
