Primo: The New Search System at Denison Libraries

Faculty Migration Questions 

What should I do with the items I have currently checked out?

• Denison items: No action is needed. These loans will automatically transfer to the new system.

• OhioLINK and non-Denison CONSORT items (Kenyon, Wooster, Ohio Wesleyan): These items must be returned by their due dates. Some loan periods may be shortened to accommodate the transition. If you want to continue using these materials, you can request them again in Primo after June 27.

What is happening to CONSORT?

The CONSORT catalog will be retired during this transition. Rather than requiring a separate search platform, items held by Kenyon, Wooster, and Ohio Wesleyan will be requestable in Primo via an OhioLINK search. CONSORT member libraries and our colleagues at Oberlin College will continue to collaborate on many levels and in many ways as the Ohio Five unites around shared materials, digital initiatives, professional development, procurement, purchasing power, and the future of libraries. 

Will my loan periods change in Primo?

• Denison Materials: Loan periods for Denison-owned materials will remain the same, including 1-year checkouts on books.

• OhioLINK Materials: OhioLINK books will now check out for 6 weeks instead of 3, giving you more time with your materials. Loan periods for other items will stay the same, and most items will still be eligible for up to 6 renewals.

• CONSORT Materials: Books requested from Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan, and Wooster will no longer be eligible for the 1-year checkout period. Instead, they will follow the 6-week OhioLINK loan policy outlined above.

Will my borrowing limits change in Primo?

Borrowing limits will not change in the new system. However, books from Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan, and Wooster will now follow OhioLINK’s 6-week loan period instead of the previous 1-year checkout.

Will Course Reserves be changing?

Primo will continue to provide access to Course Reserves with similar functionality. The process for placing items on reserve will remain unchanged.

Will I be able to request Denison materials in Primo?

Requesting items from Denison will not be available for Denison patrons. Primo will show you all the information you need to find a Denison item in our building. If you'd like to set up a proxy, you can find the form here.

What if I have library links in my Canvas courses, syllabi, bookmarks or personal pages?

After June 27, 2025, links to the old library platforms (Summon, CONSORT, and OhioLINK) will no longer work. You will need to update these links to point to the new Primo system.

No changes needed if:

• Your link directs to the Denison Libraries Homepage (denison.edu/library)

• Your link goes to LibGuides or the A-Z Databases list (https://libguides.denison.edu/)

• Your link connects to a specific database, collection, or platform (e.g., jstor.org)

Changes are required if:

• Your link points to the homepage of Summon, CONSORT, or OhioLINK. These should be replaced with the Primo homepage link (to be provided).

• Your link goes to a specific record or search result in Summon, CONSORT, or OhioLINK. These will need to be updated with a Primo permalink after re-searching the resource in Primo.

If you’re unsure whether a link needs to be updated, contact us, and we can review it with you.

How can I learn more about Primo?

Training sessions and learning materials will be available in late summer and early fall 2025. Your liaison librarian is also available to help you get started. If you’d like a sneak peek of Primo before the official launch, reach out to libprimo-group@denison.edu.

How will my students learn how to use Primo?

Learning opportunities for students will be available in Fall 2025. A great way to get started is to schedule an instruction session with your subject liaison.