Library Search is a new library services platform. The new system will replace the current Library Catalog, APPsearch, and our current management system for library circulation, acquisitions, and cataloging.
App State timeline:
- System Configuration/Implementation: Ongoing
- Library Search goes live on July 16, 2025
Benefits of transitioning to Library Search include:
- The ability to view and request items from Western Carolina University, University of North Carolina-Asheville, and North Carolina A&T University Libraries in July, along with other participating universities in the UNC System as the project is implemented statewide.
- A streamlined interface for searching print and online resources, requesting items, and managing your library account all in one place.
Coming soon in the Spring of 2026:
- Seamless walk-in borrowing privileges at other participating libraries.
- Easy requesting of articles and books from beyond UNC System collections using the Central Discovery Index, a built-in index of over 5 billion scholarly citations.
- A new mobile app for easy account access and research.
- More flexibility for faculty for creating reading lists of library resources.
Implementing Library Search is a two-year collaborative project designed to offer the same library platform across twelve or more institutions in the UNC System. The scheduled participating institutions include:
- July 2025:
- Western Carolina University
- UNC Asheville
- NC A&T University
- Spring 2026:
- UNC Pembroke
- UNC School of the Arts
- UNC Charlotte
- NC Central University
- Fall 2026:
- NC State University
- UNC Wilmington
- Winston Salem State University
- Fayetteville State University
Utilizing a new shared platform will transform the way our patrons and library users can discover and access resources in a massive statewide shared collection.
Sharing a network with our partners in the UNC System will benefit us by allowing the opportunity to negotiate pricing as a group, will streamline our resource sharing, and will allow us to manage our resources in a cooperative manner.
If you have questions about the new library systems or the implementation process, please go to our FAQ page or don’t hesitate to contact us. For more information:
- Borrowing and account access: Jason Stamper
- Instruction and course impacts: Contact your liaison
- General inquiries: Ben Shirley and Amy Love