1. New Vufind Overview
May 9, 2018

2. New VuFind Overview
Today’s Topics:   
Background, Current Status, and Future Plans for New VuFind 
Frequently Asked Questions 
New Features in New VuFind 
Differences between New VuFind, VuFind 0.6, and Classic WebVoyáge 
Introducing New VuFind at your Library 
New VuFind and I-Share Next  2

3. A Brief History of VuFind in I-Share
Background
A Brief History of VuFind in I-Share
2007 – CARLI begins work on experimental catalog software called VuFind
July 2008 – VuFind released to I-Share libraries as alternative interface for local catalogs
June 2010 – VuFind 0.6 becomes the only interface for the I-Share union catalog
– CARLI develops VuFind 0.6 for our consortium
June 2016 – VuFind 3.0 catalogs released for I-Share testing
June 2017 – VuFind catalogs released for I-Share in production
December 2017 – “New” VuFind (4.1.1) catalogs released for I-Share
BACKGROUND
In 2007, CARLI began working on an experimental open-source catalog interface called VuFind. The VU stands for Villanova University where the project began. The VuFind catalog was offered to I-Share libraries as an alternative to Voyager’s Classic WebVoyage in July 2008 and—for technical reasons–it became the only interface for the I-Share union catalog in June VuFind version 0.6 was originally designed for a single library, so CARLI staff continued working on it and developing it for our consortial needs for many years. At some point during that work, however, there was a disruption of the project at the host site, and in order to continue making improvements that were important for I-Share, CARLI’s VuFind 0.6 software had to branch off and get away from the main source code. The VuFind open source project was eventually reestablished and became a thriving international community, but by that time, CARLI’s VuFind 0.6 code for I-Share differed so drastically that we were no longer able to take advantage of software updates made by the community.
When it became apparent that CARLI needed to update the VuFind 0.6 catalog for the future, we quickly realized that we could not simply upgrade from VuFind 0.6 to the latest version of the software. Our customization of the older software was too great and it was incompatible with later versions. CARLI began a new project to implement the latest version of VuFind for I-Share libraries, and we realized that this time, we would need to stick close to the main branch of the software in order to take advantage of the now robust open source community that is actively developing the VuFind software.
The result was the VuFind 3.0 catalog, first released to I-Share libraries for testing and evaluation in June We have appreciated receiving comments and feedback from many of you about the system!
Then in June 2017, CARLI released an updated VuFind catalog for all local catalogs and the I-Share union catalog that was fully functional in the production environment, along with a test catalog for testing purposes.
And most recently, in December 2017, CARLI released the VuFind catalogs for I-Share. 3

4. New VuFind is in production!
Current status
New VuFind is in production! 
5 I-Share libraries have been using it since January 2018
8 I-Share libraries plan to implement in May/June 2018
10 I-Share libraries have been successfully configured for single sign-on 
CARLI’s New VuFind Known Issues List in GitHub
CARLI’s New VuFind Change Log
VuFind-Change-Log
CURRENT STATUS
That brings us up to the present day where New VuFind is in production!
We know of five I-Share libraries that have been using New VuFind with their users since January 2018:
Carl Sandburg College
Illinois Institute of Technology
Lincoln College
Saint Xavier University
Western Illinois University
At least eight I-Share libraries have let CARLI know that they are planning to implement in May or June 2018.
Ten I-Share libraries have already successfully implemented single sign-on in New VuFind with their local campus authentication systems. If you are curious, you can see which libraries are using single sign-on and which systems they are using on the New VuFind FAQ page available on the CARLI website.
CARLI staff are currently working on as many Issues, problems, and suggestions as we can and we are rolling out changes to the system as they are available. You can find our Known Issues list online under our GitHub project for New VuFind, and you can also find the Change Log of all improvements and bug fixes that we have made to the system since 2016 when the VuFind 3.0 catalogs were first released to I-Share libraries for evaluation. 4

5. CARLI’s New VuFind Software Development
Future plans
CARLI’s New VuFind Software Development
•   Now in rapid development
Focused on the functional aspects of the system (i.e., consortial search, item status, requesting)  
•   Undertaking additional development work to enable/modify existing features and to introduce new features that are important to I-Share libraries
•   Making changes and looking for solutions to problems that are not software-specific to Voyager whenever possible
•   All development work is completed within the VuFind open source framework
FUTURE PLANS
With that in mind, we also want to inform you about our ongoing and future approach to software development:
At present, we are engaged in a period of rapid development in order to try to make as many improvements to the system as possible before your fall 2018 semesters begin. We will implement changes to production New VuFind during this time as soon as they are ready.
We focus first on improving the broad functional aspects of the system. This is not to say that we won’t make small changes to wording, layout, or look and feel. We will certainly fit those kinds of smaller changes in amongst the larger Issues as we have time.
CARLI staff are prioritizing development for our consortial environment--which is important because VuFind was not originally designed for use by a consortium--and on features that all of you in I-Share libraries have told us are important to your users.
Because the I-Share Next project may replace Voyager in future--we will hear more about I-Share Next the end of this webinar!—CARLI will always prefer and seek out changes and solutions that are not Voyager-specific.
And as I mentioned during the background slide a few moments ago, CARLI’s experience with the VuFind 0.6 software has influenced our approach to New VuFind software development. We are committed to keeping our development within the broader VuFind open source framework so that we can take advantage of all the work being done by other developers of VuFind, and never put ourselves in the position of not being able to upgrade to new versions. 5

6. Frequently asked questions
New VuFind FAQ:
URLs are different
Search boxes on web pages
Direct links to search results and individual records
Logging in to Your Account
Barcode and Last Name is default
Usernames/Passwords and favorites/tags do not transfer from 0.6
Single sign-on compatible with some campus systems using Shibboleth, SAML 2.0, Federations like InCommon or I-Trust.
Local LDAP systems are not compatible due to security concerns
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1
Next, we will discuss some of the frequently asked questions about New VuFind before we take a look at some specific new features that are available! More details on these items and much, much more information is available on the New VuFind FAQ page on the CARLI website.
URLs
The URLs for New VuFind are constructed differently from VuFind This will affect any pre-built search boxes that you may have embedded into your library webpages, and any direct links to searches or individual records on other websites or documentation.
Of special note is that the record ID numbers in the I-Share union catalog will not be the same as in VuFind 0.6, and they will not be persistent in New VuFind, so it is not recommended that you link directly to a record in the New VuFind I-Share union catalog. The Usernames and Passwords established in VuFind 0.6 cannot be transferred to New VuFind, and because favorites and tags are tied to those accounts in VuFind 0.6, they also cannot be transferred over.
CARLI’s New VuFind catalogs have been proven to work with a single Shibboleth Identity Provider (IdP), informally called “point-to-point,” a Shibboleth Federation such as InCommon or I-Trust, and some ADFS-based solutions. You can find the growing list of authentication systems used by I-Share libraries that have been successfully set up with New VuFind on the FAQ page.
It's theoretically possible for New VuFind single sign-on to work with any system that supports SAML If you are curious if your campus system will work, to start, we recommend sending the links to the technical details on the New VuFind FAQ page to the campus IT staff in charge of your campus authentication system. If they believe your system could connect, simply contact CARLI Support to get started with testing.
Many libraries have a local LDAP system in place for campus authentication, but single sign-on with a local LDAP is not a practical solution in our environment due to security concerns.
Logging in to Your Account
By default, in New VuFind users will log in with their Voyager Barcode and Last Name as found in the Voyager Patron Record, unless they are from one of the institutions for which we have successfully enabled single sign-on. In that case, users log in with their campus credentials. 6

7. Frequently asked questions
New Customization Options appear as they become available
Each library can customize its banner, colors, and some text
Additional customization options for single sign-on-enabled libraries
CARLI Custom Format Definitions
Logic improved in New VuFind
New formats added
Display as text labels instead of icons
Multiple formats display when appropriate for the record
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 2
Customization Options
In the initial set up of New VuFind last year, CARLI staff copied the banner, colors, and text from VuFind 0.6 into New VuFind. Libraries are encouraged to review what that looks like in New VuFind and submit a New VuFind customization form to make any changes that are needed.
You can submit the New Vufind customization form as many times as needed in the future if you’d like to make additional changes.
We are adding new customization options to the form as they become available, so check back on the form from time to time to see if there are new things available. We also add when these there are new customization options to the New VuFind Change Log.
There are also a couple of additional customizations available for I-Share libraries using single sign-on with New VuFind. When single sign-in is enabled in New VuFind for your library, CARLI staff will ask you to customize some text referring to the name of your campus credentials, and language for users that do not have campus credentials, if appropriate.
CARLI Custom Format Definitions
CARLI staff worked very diligently to transfer the custom logic established in VuFind 0.6 into New VuFind and have added a number of library-suggested improvements to the formats since then! You’ll find new formats for Braille, CD-ROM, and Large Print and updated definitions for some of the audio formats.
The Formats display as text labels instead of icons, and multiple formats will display when they are appropriate for the record instead of the system choosing only one to display as it did in VuFind 0.6.
These format definitions are also used in the faceting function when you choose to narrow your search results, and on the advanced search page. 7

8. New vufind features and differences8

9. Differences - New VuFind and VuFind 0.6
New VuFind Features
Selected New Features
Call number searching
Journal Title searching
Customized SFX buttons (if a subscriber)
More libraries set up for single sign on
“Hide e-resources I don’t have access to…”
Differences - New VuFind and VuFind 0.6
  Patron login procedure  
  Requesting steps
  Mobile responsiveness
  Item format displays
  Brief Demo
More details available: 9

10. Introducing new vufind At Your Library
New VuFind is already available and running for each I-Share library, alongside VuFind 0.6 and Voyager’s WebVoyage “Classic” catalog. Even if your library has not been formally promoting New VuFind, library staff and other patrons may already be using it to search and place requests.
When your library is ready to begin formally presenting New VuFind to your patrons, there is some setup and configuration that your library will want to do in preparation.
Introducing new vufind At Your Library 10

11. Preparing to Switch to New VuFind
Libraries may present the New VuFind to their users either alongside the current VuFind 0.6 interface, or, instead of the VuFind 0.6 interface.
Your library's VuFind 0.6 catalog will continue to exist at its current URL even after you rollout the New VuFind.
Library users will continue to be able to use VuFind 0.6 if they have bookmarks or links to it.
Consult the New VuFind FAQ: share/opac/new-vufind-faq
If my library would like to switch to using New VuFind as our primary discovery interface for our users, what do we need to do?
Since New VuFind is currently running concurrently with VuFind 0.6, your library has flexibility with your roll-out options and timeline. Links that connect to VuFind 0.6 continue to work, so any bookmarks that your patrons have saved, or permalinks that are in course management systems or library webpages or guides will still connect through.
The preparation steps that I’ll discuss on the next two slides are outlined on the New VuFind FAQ webpage. The specific section you’ll refer to in that guide is named: “If my library would like to switch to using New VuFind as our primary discovery interface for our users, what do we need to do?”
The implementation FAQ is divided into two sections: the first with initial preparation steps, and the second for the rolling out phase to present New VuFind to your users. On the FAQ webpage, you’ll find more details for each step of preparation, and further links to additional documentation. 11

12. Preparing to Switch to New VuFind
Before you present New VuFind to your patrons:
Let CARLI know.
Submit a New VuFind customization form.
Review the differences in features and functionality.
Review your library’s Voyager System Administration Circulation matrix entries; make updates.
Update or add new links to the New VuFind catalog.
Test connections between chat widgets, stack maps, finding tools, etc.
Work with any third-party catalog interface vendors to make adjustments to their system to link back to New VuFind.
This slide shows a summary of the preparation steps involved in deciding to present New VuFind to your patrons.
As you’re working through these steps at your library, please don’t hesitate to send any questions or comments to CARLI support.
You’ll notice that contacting CARLI support is also one of our first steps-- where we ask you to please send an to let us know that you’re beginning your preparation steps so that we can support you through the process. Please let us know whether you already have a specific date range when you’d like to roll New VuFind out to your patrons, or whether you’re doing the preparation because you know that patrons may still encounter New VuFind even though you’re not actively promoting it.
Second, you will want to submit that New VuFind customization form. As Jessica mentioned, we’ve copied over some of the look and feel from your library’s VuFind 0.6 catalog, but, since the two versions of VuFind are different, there are different customization options for each.
Third, your library staff will want to review the documentation we have available outlining the differences between the two versions of the catalog. This step will be one of the more time consuming tasks, but, I think it is one of the most important. As Jessica mentioned, even though New VuFind is related to our VuFind 0.6, some aspects of the catalog are fundamentally different; being aware of those differences helps to manage your own expectations and those of patrons.
Please read through the full "New VuFind Overview and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)“ and the differences webpage. You’ll also want to be familiar with the change log of completed work and the known issues list.
Staff should make a point to re-read this documentation periodically. Since New VuFind, is, and will be, actively developed, updates, enhancements, and changes to functionality will be common as we move forward.
The next step in this list is to review your library’s Voyager System Administration Circulation settings as used by New VuFind and make updates as needed. I don’t want to go into this in too much detail during this webinar because SysAdmin can be a topic unto itself, but, when you review the Differences webpage, you’ll read about how New VuFind currently uses some Voyager settings in a different way than VuFind 0.6 and WebVoyage. Your library will likely want to make some SysAdmin updates so that patrons have a consistent experience, no matter which version of the catalog you’re searching in.
I’ll insert a reminder here as well that since New VuFind is actively being developed, it is possible that there will be changes to how New VuFind interacts with those Voyager settings. If there are significant changes affecting functionality in the future, CARLI staff will notify libraries and assist with edits.
For the fifth step- many libraries need to work with their campus webmaster or marketing department to adjust content on their webpages. You may need to build some time into your schedule for those departments to edit links to the library catalog on your library’s webpage or institutional webpages. You may need to update handouts or instruction materials, or revise lesson plans and example searches used in your library’s instruction sessions. In addition to updating your library’s own webpages or search guides you’ll also need to coordinate with campus faculty and staff to update links within the course management system or syllabi.
As another preparation step, for any third party software or services, spend time testing connections to make sure they’ll work with New VuFind before switching over. Those may include chat widgets, stack maps, etc. and any alternative discovery layers or third-party catalog interfaces- examples such as Summon, EDS, or WorldCat Discovery.
As you work through the process of rolling out New VuFind at your library, please let CARLI support know if there are other preparation steps we should include in our FAQ to assist other libraries. We appreciate hearing first hand experience from you! 12

13. Preparing to Switch to New VuFind
Rolling out New VuFind:
Publicize the changes and what they mean for your users.
Update your SFX target to the New VuFind catalog
Optional: Submit a VuFind 0.6 customization form to direct users to New VuFind.
After your preparation is complete and you’re ready to roll out New VuFind to your patrons, you will want to publicize the changes and what they will mean for your users.
On your “go live” with New VuFind date, you’ll switch the links and/or search boxes on your library’s homepage, if you use SFX or other link resolvers you’ll update the target to search the New VuFind catalog, and if you use another discovery interface, you’ll switch it over to connect through to New VuFind as appropriate.
Throughout all these steps, remember that you can contact CARLI support with any comments or questions.
I’ll now hand the microphone over to Kris Hammerstrand, to discuss New VuFind and I-Share Next. 13

14. New Vufind and I-share Next14

15. Selecting a replacement for Voyager
We have been using Voyager since 2002.
CARLI is actively working to select a replacement for Voyager.
We are referring to it “I-Share Next” simply to distinguish it from the Voyager version of I-Share.
The selection process is governed by State procurement policies that require confidentiality.
We expect to have the product selected in 2018.
Current best guess is that may be switching to I-Share Next in summer 2020. 15

16. New vufind will be the default public interface to I-Share Next
New VuFind will be CARLI’s default public catalog interface for I-Share Next.
Current VuFind, version 0.6,  is Voyager-specific and will not work with any system other than Voyager, and will be turned off when we turn off Voyager.
WebVoyáge is part of Voyager, it will also be turned off when we turn off Voyager. 16

17. Libraries that use a third-Party discovery service
Libraries that use a different discovery product, e.g., Summon, EBSCO Discovery Service, or WorldCat Discovery should still be able to use these with I-Share Next.
You will need to work with CARLI and these products’ vendors to set up connections to I-Share Next.
We will be able to provide more details to these libraries once the I-Share Next product selection is final.
Not really related to New VuFind, but some of you may use other discovery services and be curious about how they will work with I-Share Next. 17

18. To Recap about vufind and I-Share Next
You may use VuFind 0.6 and WebVoyáge up to the time when we “go live” on I-Share Next (ISN).
Neither VuFind 0.6 nor WebVoyáge will work with ISN
New VuFind will work with I-Share Next.
You will need to move to New VuFind before or at the time I-Share Next goes live.
Best current guess is that I-Share libraries may be live on I-Share Next in summer 2020.
As the selection process is still underway, implementation dates are a best guess 18

19. Please contact CARLI Office Support with any comments or questions
Please contact CARLI Office Support with any comments or questions. 19