Upcoming Changes to NEOS Borrowing

Since 1995, the King’s University Library has been a member of the NEOS Consortium.  This included a shared catalogue and patron accounts allowing the easy exchange of library resources. However, due to evolving technology, this arrangement was no longer sustainable. To stay current with technological advancements and better serve our patrons, The King’s University Library has now implemented WMS Discovery, as our new Library Service Platform (LSP), which has:

• Improved access to The King’s University Library materials
• Expanded the discoverability of and access to our library electronic collections
• Presents print and electronic formats in a user-friendly manner
• Explores new ways of sharing resources and collaborating in the future

NEOS libraries continues to share physical items with each other, just differently. All NEOS member's users can go to any NEOS library and register their library card and get an account at that library. Any holds, borrowing and returning is done directly with that library. For King's students and faculty this means that you get to go to NEOS libraries, create your own account, and no longer need to go through King's library.

There will be additional changes as we move through the LSP implementation. The most immediate is the departure of several NEOS libraries from the shared catalogue, MacEwan and Olds being the latest NEOS libraries to do so.  An updated list can be found below.

When a NEOS library leaves our shared catalogue:

• Any holds placed on items from these libraries will be cancelled.
• Checked out items from these libraries will not be renewable and will need to be returned by the due date. If returned late you may be asked to return them to the owning library.
• NEOS libraries that have left the shared catalogue and are located within Edmonton will still allow their items to be borrowed by patrons outside of their library.  However, you will need to go to the library in person and create an account with that library.  Your King’s ID card and another piece of photo ID will be required. 
• Books borrowed from these libraries will need to be returned to them, not to King’s; 
• If you wish to access items from NEOS libraries outside of Edmonton, please request them through our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service. 

Below, we will post the dates of when libraries will leave the shared catalogue as they become available. Here are dates we currently know about:

• May 1, 2025: King's Library: complete (all users) circulation blocked
• May 1, 2025: Keyano College leaves the shared catalogue
• May 1, 2025: University of Alberta libraries will freeze holds and circulation
• May 2, 2025: RDP leaves the shared catalogue
• May 2, 2025: Vanguard: circulation blocked for King's users
• May 9, 2025: King's Library: Circulation on new LSP will go LIVE
• May 16 - June 15, 2025: Vanguard College Library will be closed
• May 19, 2025: NWP will leave the shared catalogue
• May 22, 2025: Burman will leave the shared catalogue
• May 26, 2025: Vanguard will leave the shared catalogue

No longer in the shared system: 

Keyano College Library 
MacEwan University Library
Norquest College Library
Northern Lakes College Library
Olds College
Red Deer Polytechnic Library
Sopychyshyn Family Library, Newman College
The King's University Library

If you have any questions or concerns about the items you have borrowed or access to those collections, please send us an email to library@kingsu.ca.