On August 4, 2026, the University Library successfully went live with the new open-source library system, FOLIO.

A Successful Start

In the presence of numerous University Library staff members and interested library users, FAU President Prof. Hornegger processed the first loans using the new system at the Main Library shortly after 8:00 a.m. In addition to guests from the Erlangen Regional Computing Center (RRZE), and Robert Scheuerl, Deputy Director of the Central Office of the Bavarian Library Network (BVB) and Head of the Application Support Division, was also in attendance. Afterward, those present celebrated the successful launch of FOLIO together.

This marks the end of the restrictions of the past few weeks, which were necessary as part of the software migration. As of today, the University Library is once again offering all its usual services, along with a number of improvements.

Important Improvements

Library users already noticed significant changes with the switch to the new “VuFind” catalog at the end of April. Since then, users have been able to conveniently log in to their library accounts using their IdM credentials, and even external library users now need only one password for the library’s various services (catalog, access to databases, and logging in at the internet workstations).

The most important changes introduced by FOLIO are summarized on a separate page. One notable change, for example, is that books borrowed from any of the four main locations (the Main Library and branch libraries) can be returned flexibly at any of those locations, regardless of where they were picked up. However, this policy does not apply to the departmental libraries.

Effective immediately, all payment transactions will be processed electronically via the ePayBayern platform (epay.bayern.de) or by bank transfer. In the interest of sustainability, both the first and second reminders, as well as the loan and return receipts, will be sent by email.

Open Source Philosophy

“FOLIO” (an acronym for “The Future Of Libraries Is Open”) is a modern system that manages all of the library’s central processes, such as media lending and acquisition, interlibrary loan, statistics, and metadata management.

Open-source software allows for greater independence from commercial vendors, more influence over software development, and control over the operation of the software and one’s own data. Last but not least, there are no license fees.

The increased use of open source is one of the cornerstones of FAU’s open science policy, so it stands to reason that the University Library is committed to this cause, as Prof. Hornegger emphasized.

Collaborative Development

The transition was the result of several months of intensive preparation—including two test migrations. Employees were familiarized with the new system through numerous internal training sessions.

The University Library is now the fourth university library in Bavaria to have switched to FOLIO. Our staff not only support the Bavarian migration project but are also actively involved in German-speaking working groups and within the international FOLIO community.

The University Library is thus part of a growing community of institutions that rely on open standards and collaboratively developed software solutions in the library sector.

⛶

⛶

⛶

⛶

⛶

⛶

⛶

⛶

To ensure that the building can be accessed comfortably and without barriers at all times, a new sliding door equipped with modern photoelectric sensor technology has been installed at the main entrance of the Juridicum. In the event of a power outage, the door opens fully automatically via a built-in rechargeable battery. It then functions as a reliable emergency exit, providing a clear path to the outside at all times.

The University Library has successfully transitioned to a new catalog. It features a modern design with a user-friendly interface and is optimized for use on smartphones and tablets. The system uses open-source software called VuFind®, which is developed by the library community.

The URL has changed and is now search.ub.fau.de—we recommend updating your bookmarks right away.

Search and you shall find.

As before, you can use either the simple or the advanced search when conducting your search. From now on, you no longer need to select a pickup location when starting your search, as this selection is only required when placing an order. This means you can begin your search immediately.

The previous three tabs for search results have been consolidated into two tabs: In “Books & More” and “Articles & More,” media from other academic libraries in Bavaria—including electronic media—are displayed alongside media from the University Library.

One password for everything in the future!

One major change concerns the library account and the login process:

• FAU members can now conveniently log in to the catalog using their IdM credentials via single sign-on. As before, this requires that the library function be enabled in IdM.
• External library users should please set a new password. To do so, use the Set/Forgot Password function, after which a URL will be sent to you. Passwords will be longer and therefore more secure in the future (at least 12 characters, including at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one digit, and one special character). The login credentials are valid for both the catalog and the internet workstations. Individuals without an email address can no longer use their library account.

Other important changes:

• Media availability is displayed right in the search results.
• Advanced filtering options are available. For example, you can easily set the publication years using a slider.
• You can add brief notes to individual titles in your list of interest. Unfortunately, it is not possible to import lists of interest from the old catalog. Titles must be added individually again.

Coffee Lectures

Training sessions in the form of half-hour online coffee lectures will begin immediately following the transition. During these sessions, we’ll provide a concise overview of all the new features and will be happy to answer your questions.

The cataloging and digitization of medieval manuscripts from the libraries of the Heilsbronn and Sankt Jobst monasteries, a project carried out over six years, was successfully completed by the University Library at the end of March 2026 as planned, with funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG). These collections represent the only two monastery libraries from the Franconian Margraviates of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Brandenburg-Bayreuth that have been preserved in near-complete form. The project encompassed a total of 531 medieval manuscripts from the Heilsbronn Monastery Library that were suitable for digitization, as well as 57 volumes from the former Franciscan monastery of Sankt Jobst near Bayreuth.

The Heilsbronn Monastery Library holds a total collection of 594 manuscripts. This collection consists of 413 Latin parchment manuscripts, 168 Latin paper manuscripts, and 13 German manuscripts, five of which are written on parchment and eight on paper. Nine of these volumes were created after 1500; they were therefore classified as non-medieval according to the project definition and were not included in the project. The 57 medieval manuscripts from the former Franciscan monastery of Sankt Jobst were also cataloged and digitized; of these, three are on parchment and 54 are on paper.

The formal cataloging of the holdings was carried out in the Bavarian Union Catalog. In terms of content, the manuscripts cover a broad spectrum: they include patristic literature, philosophical works, treatises on scholasticism, and numerous sermons, many of which are by Bernard of Clairvaux. Furthermore, the collection includes works on homiletics, manuscripts on canon and secular law, ancient classics, writings on grammar and history, as well as legends of the saints, biographies, and treatises on medicine and the natural sciences.

The digitized items are available in our digital collections:

In addition, they can be searched worldwide on the “Handschriftenportal” (Manuscript Portal).

In early August, the University Library will introduce a new library management system. Following the launch of the new website (end of March) and the new catalog (end of April), this will be the third major relaunch in a short period of time.

On August 4, 2026, the University Library will switch to the new open-source library system FOLIO, which is being gradually introduced by all university libraries in Bavaria. “FOLIO” (an acronym for “The Future Of Libraries Is Open”) will manage all central library processes, such as media lending and acquisition, interlibrary loans, statistics, and metadata management. It is a next-generation system that stands for modularity, openness, transparency, and collaborative development, and is supported nationally and internationally by the library community. This move ensures that the University Library is well-positioned for the future.

As part of the system migration, various organizational and technical factors must be taken into account, which may result in temporary service disruptions. Most of these changes will take place behind the scenes for library users, so the disruptions should be kept to a minimum.

All important information is summarized on a dedicated page and updated there on an ongoing basis:

We will provide timely advance notice of any unavoidable service disruptions through all available channels.

Following the website relaunch at the end of March, the University Library will switch to a new catalog just one month later, at the end of April.

We’ll be using open-source software called VuFind. The catalog will feature a more user-friendly interface, making it even easier to search for and find literature (see work-in-progress screenshot). The website is optimized for use on smartphones and tablets.

For FAU members, login will be via IdM credentials in the future, so no separate password will be required for the catalog. Passwords for external library users will become longer and thus more secure.

The transition will be accompanied by training sessions, which are scheduled to begin in May.

More information will follow at the end of April after the successful relaunch.

The University Library Erlangen-Nürnberg is the first library to receive the Open Library Badge 2025. This is an award for libraries that embrace the concept of openness. It is aimed equally at public and academic libraries and rewards their commitment to greater openness in society and academia. The quality seal has been awarded in 2016 and 2020, and now in the latest 2025 edition. The initiative is organized by a working group of the same name within the German Library Association.

The University Library scored well in all seven thematic areas and was particularly impressive in the areas of Open Access, Open Data, and Open Source, where it met all criteria in each case. Other thematic areas include “Participation and Citizen Science,” “Inclusion and Social Responsibility,” “Open Educational Resources,” and “Open Government and Open Research Information.” Evidence for the individual criteria can be viewed transparently on the website. A brief press release regarding the inaugural awarding of the 2025 quality seal is also available there.

The University Library will discontinue the acquisition of e-books via the ProQuest Ebook Central e-book platform as of April 1, 2026. In this context, the range of e-books available on this platform will be limited. If you have set up a user account on the https://ebookcentral.proquest.com website, titles you have used in the past may also be affected. We therefore recommend that you export the information stored in your notebooks, bookmarks, and bookshelves by the end of March.

However, titles that have been permanently purchased via this platform can still be accessed via the university library catalog after April 1 and used with all service functions.

We support students, researchers and the general public by training them in the handling, evaluation and use of data. Information literacy is the key skill for the future.

Find out more about our training courses: https://ub.fau.de/en/studying/advice-and-training/library-courses/

The University Library is taking part in the nationwide WEITER WISSEN campaign. We want to show how important academic libraries are for our society as well as what our libraries can do and what they do for us.

By participating in the Germany-wide Springer Nature Transformative Agreement, the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität is offering its members and those of the University Hospital read-only access to all Nature journals from now until the end of 2028.

In addition, corresponding authors of participating institutions can publish their research articles free of charge in Nature and in the 38 hybrid Nature-branded research journals under a CC-BY license up to a maximum article limit set for the consortium. Here you can find further information (with a link to an overview of the journals included).

From 2025, FAU authors can also benefit from a 15% discount on publication fees for MDPI journals. Unfortunately, the Emerald Publishing Agreement will not be continued due to unfavorable contractual conditions.