NYMCat Now on an Open Source Platform with New Features (Updated 10/26/16)

The new NYMCat interface. Click to enter.
The new NYMCat interface. Click to enter.

The library’s integrated library system (ILS) has migrated to a new open-source platform called Koha. That means we moved all of our user information and all of our item information over to new software and new remote servers over the summer. As of today we are saying goodbye to the old system and you will see a new Library Catalog (we’ll call it “NYMCat” still) and new circulation and processing functions. Most of this should be pretty seamless to you.

You may notice that it looks a little different. It’s got a more streamlined and modern appearance.

You might also see that is has some new features. These include:

  • The ability to place HOLDS – and have items routed from the Skyline Library to the Main Library.
  • The ability to make PURCHASE SUGGESTIONS directly in the system.
  • The ability to CUSTOMIZE NOTICES you would like to receive.
  • And more. Let us know if there is a feature you would like. Koha is a very user-positive system developed by librarians, not software developers. New feature requests are positively received.

SYSTEM LOGIN and REMOTE ACCESS AUTHENTICATION

To use these features, and to renew materials, etc. you need to log in to Koha. If you have an established account it is currently set as username: firstname_lastname/password: your library barcode. You are able to change this password to match your network login or whatever else you would like it to be. Unfortunately it will not change when you change your network (nymc.edu) account login.

UPDATED: To login to remote library resources, you will now also use either the firstname_lastname/barcode combination as above or your network credentials. You will no longer use barcode/lastname. 

Please report any issues using the “Contact Us” feature on all library and NYMCat pages.

I hope you join us in celebrating this positive (and as it happens, cost-saving, too!) system changeover.