Summer 2026 Library Systems, Catalog, and Quick Search Updates

KU libraries – including the Lawrence and Edwards campuses, Wheat Law Library, and KU Medical Center – are migrating to a new library services platform this summer. The biggest change for users is the libraries’ search engine – Quick Search – which moves to a new platform on June 5. A freeze on new Retrieve from Shelf requests will begin May 22. Purchase requests submitted after May 22 will be processed once the system is back up in June.

User Action Timeline

May 22 – Last day to place new Retrieve from Shelf requests before the switch.

May 26 – Save your data in your My Account before the switch. Your Bookbag in the classic catalog and My Favorites in Quick Search WILL NOT transfer to the new system. For instructions, go to Instructions for Exporting Bookbag, Instructions for Exporting My Favorites, or contact Paul Thomas, one of your KU librarians, for help.

June 5 – The new Quick Search (i.e. search engine) and user accounts will go live. See below for more information.

What’s changing?

Quick Search is moving to a new platform

Our current Quick Search (i.e. search engine) will get a makeover with a new search experience, EDS (EBSCO Discovery Service). For most users and most tasks, Quick Search is the only system you’ll need. You can still search for:

- Articles and databases 
- Books and ebooks 
- Media and other electronic resources 
- Digital images
- Music scores

The Classic Catalog is retiring

You will still be able to search for physical items like books, music scores, and more through a separate system called Locate.

It’s important to know that Locate is not a direct replacement for the classic catalog (catalog.lib.ku.edu): 

Locate focuses on print and physical collections

Locate includes limited electronic resources

Articles, ebooks, and most online materials will be found in Quick Search, not Locate

What’s staying the same?

Even though the systems are changing, your core library services are not. 

You will still be able to: 

Request an item that is checked out (i.e. recall an item)

Request items through interlibrary loan (ILL)

Renew items online

Access course reserves

Pay charges online (if applicable)

Request to have items retrieved from the shelf and put on hold

Request to have material scanned and delivered electronically

Place requests for KU Libraries to purchase materials

Some services will be unavailable or limited during the transition. Updates and confirmed dates will be posted on this page and other locations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Loans for physical books and account information such as fines or fees will be transferred to the new system. 

If you are using My Account services in Quick Search to save searches or item records, see "What should I do with My Favorites in Quick Search?" If you are using My Account and the Bookbag in the classic catalog, see "What should I do with my Bookbag from the current catalog?"

Saved lists from the current systems, such as the Bookbag in the Voyager classic catalog, will not transfer. 

Before the migration, you will need to download, or export saved items from the classic catalog. View the Instructions for Exporting Bookbag page for a step-by-step guide to saving your information. For one-on-one help with exporting this data into a citation manager contact Paul Thomas, KU Libraries citation manager expert.

Saved lists from the current systems, such as My Favorites, including Saved Items, Saved Searches, and Search History will not transfer.

Before the migration download or export saved items from Quick Search My Account. View the Instructions for Exporting My Favorites page for a step-by-step guide to saving your information. For one-on-one help with exporting this data into a citation manager, contact Paul Thomas, KU Libraries citation manager expert.

Yes. Community borrowers will use Locate for “My Account” services. 

Faculty, staff, and students can manage most needs through Quick Search.

Quick Search
The KU Libraries website (lib.ku.edu)
Library Catalog
E-Journals
Databases
Ask KU Libraries to buy this book
Request Articles, Books, More (WebRetrieve to request items and articles)

Online Renewals
Online or In-Person Payments
Retrieve from Shelf requests
Recalls
TripSaver & Home Delivery
Annex Requests (via Retrieve from Shelf)
Get at Spencer request link

My Account and Catalog record information may be viewed but will not be interactive.

Information will be out of date for recently checked out and returned items. Item Status/Availability information will not be updated in library records until June 5.

System Update News

April 2026 | Prepare for coming changes to KU libraries systems

Quick Search and the Library Catalog are moving to a new platform in June. Export your saved items (Bookbag, Favorites) now. See Library System Updates for details.

February 2026 | Work on new platform continues ahead of June launch

KU Libraries is preparing to go live this summer with a new library services platform (LSP), FOLIO, and a suite of integrated products to empower essential backend capabilities and user-facing upgrades. The new open‑source system will enhance functionality for instructors and students, increase efficiencies in essential libraries services, unify systems across the Lawrence campus, Wheat Law Library, and KU Medical Center, and better support library user needs.

June 2025 | KU Libraries select FOLIO as new library services platform

The University of Kansas Libraries signed an agreement to implement FOLIO, hosted and supported by EBSCO Information Services, as its new library services platform (LSP). With this transition, KU Libraries are embracing a flexible, open-source solution that supports academic research, discovery and innovation across the university’s programs and services.

Still have questions?

For further questions or to troubleshoot specific issues that may arise during the transition, please reach out to KU Libraries' System Update team at libwebhelp@ku.edu.