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The Future of Libraries is Open: We're switching to a new open source library system!

Important dates for switch to the new library system

Current changes: From December 1st, it will no longer be possible to order media via interlibrary loan through our system.
However, interlibrary loans that have already been ordered can still be picked up, and returns will still be accepted.

The Bamberg State Library is available as an alternative option for ordering interlibrary loans.

Future dates:

  • We will not be able to process acquisition suggestions for printed media after December 8.

? The university library will be closed from December 24, 2025, through to January 1, 2026. 

? Branch Library 4 will be open from January 2 to 5, 2026, without delivery service.

? All branch libraries will be closed on January 6, 2026.

? Orders and reservations can still be placed until January 12, 2026.

? Ordered or reserved items can be picked up and borrowed until January 22, 2026.

? No loans will be possible from January 23 to February 2, 2026!
Searching the catalogue, access to digital media, returns, and use of the collections will still be accessible. 

? Our new open-source library management system FOLIO will launch on February 3, 2026!

 

We are facing exciting and challenging tasks: Our library management system SISIS-SunRise has been in use for over thirty years and is no longer being developed by the manufacturer. After thorough preliminary investigations and for strategic reasons, the university and college libraries in the Bavarian Library Network have decided to switch to the open source library system FOLIO.

After the THWS library successfully switched to FOLIO in 2024, the TU Munich library and Regensburg University Library followed suit in 2025. We will switch to FOLIO at Bamberg University Library at the beginning of 2026.

Preparations for the switch to our future open source library management system have already begun in 2024. We will use FOLIO to manage all library processes - the licensing and acquisition of digital and printed literature, the provision of digital and analogue books and media, the financing of open access and much more. 

Internally, the changeover is a major and labor-intensive process for us that affects all areas of the University Library. Therefore, there may be temporary restrictions to our library services during the winter semester 2025/26. We will of course announce these in good time and keep them as short as possible for you.

We hope for your understanding, for which we would like to thank you in advance.

Aktueller Stand:

As part of our ongoing preparations for the system change, we have to restrict our interlibrary loan services for a limited period:

From December 1st, ordering media via interlibrary loan through our system will not longer be possible. 
However, interlibrary loans that have already been ordered can still be picked up, and returns will be accepted.

 

As an alternative option for interlibrary loans, you can always use the Bamberg State Library:

If you register with the Bamberg State Library's library system, you can place interlibrary loan orders via their catalog and borrow items there.

You can register during opening hours from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with your ID card (or passport with registration certificate).

Address: Domplatz 8, 96049 Bamberg, https://www.staatsbibliothek-bamberg.de/

 

Here is an overview of the next important dates:

- Christmas closure from December 24, 2025, through January 1, 2026;

  Branch Library 4 will be open from January 2-5, 2026, without delivery service;

  All branch libraries will be closed on January 6, 2026.

- Orders and reservations can still be placed until January 12, 2026

- Pickup and  borrowing are still possible until January 22, 2026.

- NO BORROWING from January 23 to February 2, 2026!

 Searching the catalog and accessing e-media will still be possible,

 use of the collections will only be possible on site,

 and returns will be accepted.

- Launch of our new open-source library system FOLIO on February 3, 2026!

The Bamberg Catalogue switched to a new interface since August 19, 2025! We are excited to offer you a new catalogue portal where you can search for literature and other media even more conveniently and intuitively. In particular, you will find the holdings of the Bamberg State Library (and other Bavarian libraries) in a joint search results overview.

Students and university members can now log in to the Bamberg Catalogue with their BA number and do not need to remember their own library password. Non-university users will receive a new password when they first use the new catalog by clicking on “Forgot password.”

Further information about the new catalogue portal can be found on the help page and in our short tutorial. 

 

We are working behind the scenes on the preparations for the switch without you noticing much of it yet. 

We are delighted to welcome the German-speaking FOLIO community to the Practical Days in Bamberg from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1.

The focus of this year's event is on practical applications - from new developments, individual solutions and workarounds to best practices and lessons learned. With exciting presentations, clear demonstrations of new functionalities and interesting discussions, the Practice Days are aimed at experienced users and those who want to become one.

 

Links

The FOLIO-Project

Digitalverbund Bayern (site only in German)

Website of the German FOLIO User Community (site only in German)

VuFind