Summer 2026 Library Systems Updates

KU Libraries – the Lawrence and Edwards campuses along with the Wheat Law Library and KU Medical Center – migrated to a new library services platform on June 10. The biggest change for users is that Quick Search, the libraries’ search engine, is now on a new platform.

We continue to work with the vendor to improve functionality and the user experience. Examples of recent updates, enhancements, and fixes include:

• Updated Search Filter labels for increased clarity. Removed distracting filters.
• Added shortcuts to frequently searched for databases and journals at the top of search results.
• Switched to a new default search mode to better support "known item" searching.
• Refined search results to reduce the appearance of "false positive" resources without full-text access. (Ongoing)
• Improved linking to full-text resources. (Ongoing)

What’s changed?  

Quick Search has moved to a new platform

Quick Search (i.e. search engine) has had a makeover with a new search experience called 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 Library (Classic) Catalog has retired

The Library Catalog link on the home page now goes to a scoped Quick Search window that searches for physical items like books, music scores, and other physical media as well as a selection of ebooks and ejournal titles. 

My Account

University of Kansas users will need to create a MyEBSCO account to see search history, place requests, view current checkouts, and request online renewals. KU users, sign in to MyEBSCO with a KU Online ID & password using the Single Sign-on (SSO).

Community Borrowers who are not affiliated with KU will not be able to log in to the Quick Search/EDS. Instead, Community Borrowers can use Locate to view current checkouts, request items, and request online renewals. Borrowers will use their 8-digit library card number and a six-digit PIN to log in to Locate. It’s important to know that Locate is not a direct replacement for the classic catalog:  

• Locate focuses on print and physical collections  
• Locate includes very 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

Overdue and Processing charges have been eliminated. To encourage timely returns and 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 you still need items that have been marked Lost, bring the Lost item 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.

Proxy Borrowing

Proxy Borrowing will be available again beginning October 21st 2026, following Fall Break. Faculty, staff, and graduate students may designate up to three proxy borrowers who can check out library materials on their behalf and pick up items placed on hold for them.  

With the new library services platform, proxy borrowers can no longer sign in to My Account to place requests or renew materials.  Instead, the account holder must place requests and renew borrowed items. 

Proxy Borrower cards from the legacy system are no longer valid. To designate a proxy borrower and receive new proxy cards, users may:  

• submit a request online,  
• visit Watson Library to fill out a paper application, or  
• download, print, and mail an application

Library Account staff will consider requests to create proxy borrowers for patrons who are not normally eligible for the service but have unusual circumstances or a documented need for accommodation. Please contact libraryaccount@ku.edu to request assistance. 

What’s staying the same? 

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

You will still be able to:  

• Request to have items retrieved from the shelf and put on the hold shelf
• Request items through interlibrary loan (ILL) 
• Request to have material scanned and delivered electronically
• Access course reserves 
• Renew items online  
• Pay charges online (if applicable)
• Place requests for KU Libraries to purchase materials
• Request an item that is checked out (i.e. recall an item) - unavailable currently; working with the vendor

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Still have questions? Need to report an error?

For general library research questions and help with Quick Search, chat with us at Ask a Librarian.

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