LTS Newsletter: August 2024

Library Technology Services, Harvard Library

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

DRS Vendor Selection

Harvard Library is delighted to announce the selection of LIBNOVA LIBSAFE as the new generation Digital Repository Service (DRS) solution, following an extensive competitive request for proposals process. This advanced system will be pivotal in achieving Harvard’s digital preservation goals, offering enhanced security, scalability, and usability. Over the coming months, the DRS Futures team will be reaching out to stakeholders to communicate the broad implementation timeline, discuss reimagined content ingestion workflows, and host an open meeting to introduce LIBSAFE and address initial questions. Regular updates on the repository implementation will be shared through bi-monthly DRS Users Community of Practice meetings, email communications, and open office hours. This transition will be supported with comprehensive resources, including detailed guides and training sessions. Active stakeholder participation is essential, and we encourage engagement in upcoming change management activities for a seamless and collaborative transition. For further details, please visit the full announcement on the Harvard Library Staff Portal: DRS Futures Project Update: HL Selects Vendor for DRS Revitalization. A more extensive implementation timeline will be shared during the open meeting in the Fall 2024.

New Workflow in Development for Scanning by Google

With work on the Google and HathiTrust Discovery and Data Maintenance project largely complete, focus has shifted to the final portions of the project, redesigning and implementing workflow for largescale digitization projects with partners. LTS and Access Services are testing a new workflow for sending books to Google for scanning and updating information in Alma. This workflow will automate many of the steps that were manual in the past, removing much of the overhead associated with book scanning projects. Once in Google and Alma, metadata will also flow to HathiTrust. More information about the project can be found on the LTS wiki.

New Leganto User Interface

On July 18, we launched a new user interface (UI) for Harvard Library’s online course reserves system, Leganto. This online course reserves software tool integrates with learning management systems like Canvas, allowing instructors and library staff to efficiently manage and share course materials. Through Leganto, instructors can submit reserve requests, and students gain streamlined access to required readings and resources, simplifying the distribution of academic materials. The implementation of the new UI was the result of a concerted and collaborative effort. Library Reserves processors carefully evaluated the new interface within the Alma Sandbox environment, focusing on key aspects such as usability, performance, and design.

Meanwhile, LTS assisted in testing and synthesizing user feedback, which was communicated back to ExLibris for further refinement. To ensure a smooth transition, Reserves staff engaged with various stakeholder groups, delivering both formal and informal training sessions on the updated interface. Finally, the ad hoc working group was instrumental in identifying necessary updates to user documentation and devising a comprehensive post-migration plan to address training needs, guide users to helpful resources, and facilitate bug reporting.

Project Delivery Forum

Each month project managers from around HUIT gather in person and on Zoom for the Project Delivery Forum (PDF), delivered by HUIT’s Project Management Office (PMO). In August’s session, Grace Dunbar, LTS’ Manager for Project and Portfolio Management, delivered a brief retrospective on her first year at Harvard and the implementation of Portfolio Teams in LTS. The second half of the session was a lively and informative panel Q&A with seasoned Project Managers. You can watch the recorded PDF Zoom meeting. You are also welcome to join the Harvard Slack channel #huit_project_delivery for project management information and PDF meeting reminders.

Staff News

Staff opening: Digital Library Data Engineer