University of Virginia Library Discovery Layer Recommendation

Abstract

In August of 2018, the University of Virginia Library's Virgo 4 Project Team recommended Blacklight 7 for comprehensive discovery of UVA Library holdings via a sustainable technology stack.

Virgo 3, built on Blacklight/Rails 3, is outdated and unable to progress further. For the Library's discovery layer, a modern architecture is needed to better interface with our users.

UVA stakeholder requirements emphasize an interface to the Library's collections that meets the needs of both novice and advanced users; facilitates both intentional and serendipitous discovery; is accessible to all users on a variety of devices; promotes seamless access to materials; and incorporates the most requested features of Virgo Classic.

The Library's Senior Leadership Team endorsed the recommendation for Blacklight 7 on August 15, 2018.

As of Fall 2018, evaluation and recommendation phases are complete. Feature prioritization and initial sprint planning are under way. Project milestones will coincide with Alderman renovation milestones, production service launch coordinated with materials moving out of Alderman in Summer 2019.