LTS Newsletter: June 2025

Library Technology Services, Harvard Library

Welcome to Library Technology Service’s occasional newsletter for anyone interested in Harvard Library IT.

HOLLIS for Archival Discovery gets an interface makeover

LTS is excited to share the news of a major refresh of HOLLIS for Archival Discovery with the upcoming beta release of a new interface for users. This upgrade brings a modern interface for end users searching for archival materials, enhanced accessibility, and improved alignment with Harvard Library’s other applications, offering seamless navigation and clearer, more uniform language throughout. Users can now experience embedded digital images within finding aids, navigation that maintains archival context, and simplified discovery of digital materials. Behind the scenes, the new HOLLIS for Archival Discovery employs an improved data pipeline and rigorous EAD XML validation, with support resources and guides readily available.

The public beta instance for this new interface launches June 30. During beta, users are encouraged to explore collections and digital images while providing feedback, though item requesting remains on the current platform until full launch. This work is made possible by the Reimagining Discovery initiative, a joint multi-year effort between LTS and the Library to transform access to Harvard’s unparalleled collections.

Reimagining Discovery: Metadata Hub requirements gathering

As part of the Reimagining Discovery project, a team is scoping and gathering requirements for a metadata hub. The goal is to solicit input to have a fuller view of metadata ingest and delivery services needed to provide a foundation for Harvard Library’s long-term digital infrastructure.

If you'd like to assist, please help us to identify:

Members of Harvard Library staff whom you recommend we include in stakeholder interviews. During these interviews, participants will have the opportunity to discuss in greater depth their perspectives on facilitating the ingest, normalization, and distribution of metadata for Harvard collections to support cross-collection and cross-platform discovery. You are welcome to identify yourself.
Users of the LibraryCloud API. Users could be Harvard Library staff, staff at other cultural heritage institutions, disciplinary researchers, or someone else. They could be Harvard affiliates or non-affiliates.

Please contact Miriam Leigh (miriam_leigh@harvard.edu) and Chelcie Rowell (chelcie_rowell@harvard.edu) with suggestions or questions. Thank you for your time and collaboration.

New Alma Feature: Custom thumbnails in HOLLIS using Alma-D

Library staff can now use Alma-D to add custom thumbnails to public HOLLIS record displays. Alma-D is an existing feature that allows images taken with your phone or other device to be uploaded into Alma. Now these images can be used as part of displays in HOLLIS.

Examples of how you may wish to use this feature (not an exhaustive list):

Display cover art for an item in special collections

Display book bindings or endpapers

Show pictures of tech lending objects.

More information is available in the Alma Staff Documentation wiki.

ArchivesSpace hosting moving to Lyrasis

Harvard Library has partnered with Lyrasis to host its instance of ArchivesSpace, the software managing the data available through HOLLIS for Archival Discovery. Once our instance of ArchivesSpace is migrated to Lyrasis, they will provide server infrastructure, IT services, system upgrades, and support for major issues. This transition is expected to significantly improve the stability and reliability of ArchivesSpace, as Lyrasis brings extensive experience and resources tailored to Harvard's large-scale needs.

As part of the migration, Lyrasis will upgrade ArchivesSpace to version 4.1.0. This update will deliver vital code library updates for enhanced security, stability, and a new bulk update feature for archival object data. Day-to-day application use will remain otherwise unchanged and existing URLs will still work. The Service Manager, Alex Duryee, will continue to triage issues and escalate them to Lyrasis, and the Discovery portfolio team will step away from providing support. The migration will take place later this summer, with updated support and help resources available for staff.

HarvardKey: Transition from Duo to Okta

In May, as part of Harvard University’s HarvardKey security change, LTS staff, along with all other HUIT staff, started using Okta instead of Duo for dual factor authentication when going to HarvardKey protected resources. Okta allows people to authenticate using methods like a device specific PIN or fingerprint rather than the HarvardKey password. After the initial setup steps outlined in the HUIT Getting Started with Okta page, many staff members found the new method easier to use.

Over the next year, all Harvard University staff will be asked to switch to Okta according to the schedule listed on the HUIT Transition to Okta page.

Staff news: Carlolyn Caizzi leaving for University of California Berkeley

Carolyn Caizzi has accepted the position of AUL for Digital Initiatives and IT at University of California Berkeley and will be leaving LTS and Harvard on June 16th.

For the past year, Carolyn has been successfully using her project management skills and her knowledge of AI implementation to lead the Reimagining Discovery team in the creation of Collections Explorer. During this time, Carolyn has been a fantastic resource not only for LTS, but for all of her colleagues lucky enough to engage with her. Carolyn is currently working closely with LTS project manager Angela Kilsdonk, who will be taking over the management of the Reimagining Discovery project as it moves into its next phase of development.

Congratulations to Carolyn on her new position and we wish her the best in this next step in her career!

(More) Staff news: Summer interns at LTS

LTS has been fortunate to be able to host two library science graduate students as interns this summer.

Elaine Kong (she/her) is a second-year PhD student in Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Computing and Information. One area she’s interested in is designing AI-powered systems that are culturally and linguistically sensitive. This summer, Elaine will be working on the HD project by synthesizing HD codebase reports and collecting HD functional requirements into an RFI document with a scorecard. It’s going to be incredibly valuable work that will help us when we’re ready to move forward with inventory management system decisions.

Shelby Jacob is an MSLIS student at Simmons University, expecting to graduate in May 2026. She also holds a BA in Asian Cultures and Languages and International Relations and Global Studies. She is particularly interested in improving access to information, as well as in linked data. Shelby will be part of the DRS Futures team for the summer to help support the training and documentation portion of the project, as well as the upcoming migration from DRS2 to DRS3. We are fortunate to have her on board during this important phase of the project.