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Clarivate Chosen to Revamp French National Academic Library System

In a significant move to enhance library services across France, Clarivate Plc has been selected by the Bibliographic Agency for Higher Education (Abes) to modernize the national academic library system through a multi-year agreement. This collaboration aims to streamline operations and improve resource sharing for higher education institutions throughout the country.

The Mission of Abes

Abes plays a crucial role in supporting French higher education and research institutions, providing them with a comprehensive documentation system that includes shared library data and various services. Operating the Sudoc system, a national catalog for both print and digital resources, Abes manages over 15 million bibliographic records across a network of about 3,000 libraries.

Recognizing the necessity for a more integrated approach, Clarivate will introduce a cloud-based platform that consolidates library services, resource sharing, and AI-enhanced discovery capabilities. This new system will replace outdated solutions currently utilized for managing the national union catalog and the interlibrary loan services relied upon by countless academic libraries throughout France.

The New Cloud-Based Solution

Clarivate's cutting-edge solutions, including Alma, Rapido, and Primo, will revolutionize how libraries manage their resources and help users access important materials. By integrating these tools into a single platform, Abes will facilitate a more efficient user experience while fostering greater accessibility to academic resources. Furthermore, this upgrade will align the national library system with international standards through the adoption of a linked-data model.

Insights from Clarivate Leadership

Bar Veinstein, President of Academia and Government at Clarivate, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting its transformative potential. He noted, "We are pleased to partner with Abes to develop a scalable, interoperable national library platform that meets the evolving needs of France's higher education and research community. Through this partnership, we will support the Agency's strategic priorities to advance library services, information accessibility and resource sharing, including unlocking the potential of AI-powered discovery for users. This will empower learning, discovery and research for years to come."

Value and Impact on Higher Education

The decision to adopt Clarivate's software suite stemmed from a pragmatic assessment of the current landscape in document computing. In light of economic constraints, this choice not only guarantees exceptional value for money for the agency but also allows significant improvements in service quality while maintaining cost-effectiveness. This strategic approach aligns with the expectations of efficiency and accountability in the public sector.

Moreover, the agreement complements existing Clarivate support provided to over 70 academic institutions in France utilizing Alma and Primo solutions at institutional and regional levels. This dedication to enhancing academic infrastructure reflects Clarivate's commitment to fostering educational excellence.

As higher education continues to evolve, ensuring that libraries remain at the forefront of research support is essential. By modernizing the national academic library system, Clarivate and Abes are setting a new standard in resource accessibility that will benefit students, researchers, and educators alike.

For additional details about the solutions offered by Clarivate, interested parties can visit the product pages for Alma, Primo, and Rapido. This collaborative effort stands as a testament to the importance of innovation in advancing educational resources and underscores the pivotal role that libraries play in the academic community.

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