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 10. A freeze on new Retrieve from Shelf requests will begin May 22 and last until June 10. Purchase requests submitted after May 22 will be processed once the system is back up in June.
UPDATE on June 3, 2026: KU Libraries had intended for the migration to be complete on Friday, June 5, but an issue was identified today on the vendor's end that requires an extension of the migration to Wednesday, June 10, to ensure the accuracy of the catalog records.
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 10 – The new Quick Search (i.e. search engine) and user accounts will go live. See below for more information.
Some services will be unavailable or limited during the transition, from May 23 - June 10. See the FAQ below for specific dates and guidance for accessing KU Libraries resources during the migration.
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
Only Lost/Damaged Item Charges will be billed, but it will happen sooner
For many years, KU Libraries had day by day overdue charges for certain items, such as InterLibrary Loan (ILL), Course Reserves, and technology checkouts such as laptops and headphones. With the move to the new platform, Overdue and Processing charges have been eliminated. Instead, to encourage timely returns and/or renewals, the length of time an item can be Overdue before it is marked Lost (and a user is blocked from placing new requests or checking out items) will be shorter.
Updated timeframes:
Items that check out for more than 2 weeks will be marked Lost when 14 days overdue, instead of 30 days overdue.
Items that check out for 4-hours to 2 weeks, including laptops, will be marked Lost when 7 days overdue, rather than 10 days overdue.
Tips for managing this change:
There will no longer be Processing Fees charged for Lost items.
If a Lost item is returned in good condition, the Lost Item Replacement Charges will be removed.
Once all Lost items have been returned or paid for, the user's library account will be unblocked.
If a user is not finished with an item that has been marked Lost: Bring any Lost items to the KU Libraries service desk where they were checked out. If all Lost items are present and in good condition, and no other users have requested the item - such as a Recall request - then the items can be checked in by library staff, the Lost status removed, and the items checked back out.
Please contact libraryaccount@ku.edu with any questions about your KU Libraries account, or lawcirc@ku.edu if affiliated with the KU Law School.
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
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Loans for physical books and account information 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, including viewing checkouts, requesting renewals, and viewing library charges (if applicable).
Renewing or issuing new Community Borrower Cards will be paused on May 26 and will resume on June 10.
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
- Get at Spencer request link
My Account and Catalog record information may be viewed but will not be interactive after May 26.
Information will be out of date for recently checked out and returned items. Item Status/Availability information will not be updated in library records after May 26 until June 10.
Renewing or issuing new Community Borrower Cards will be paused on May 26 and will resume on June 10.
System Update News
April 2026 | Prepare for coming changes to KU libraries systems
February 2026 | Work on new platform continues ahead of June launch
June 2025 | KU Libraries select FOLIO as new library services platform
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.