The University of Coimbra, one of the world's oldest universities and a premier public research institution in Portugal, has chosen Alma and Primo to modernize and unify its library systems.

Founded in Lisbon in 1290 and permanently established in Coimbra in 1537, the University of Coimbra is renowned for its academic excellence and cultural heritage. As the university looked to the future, it became clear that a modern, cloud-based system was essential to supporting its diverse community of students, faculty, and researchers. By adopting Alma and Primo, the university is taking an important step toward enhancing access to resources, streamlining library operations, and fostering collaboration across its eight autonomous faculties. This decision reflects the university's ongoing commitment to innovation and academic excellence.

The adoption of Alma and Primo represents a significant milestone for the university, particularly given its unique organizational structure. With eight autonomous faculties—each with its own governance and operational independence—planning the transition to a single, integrated system is a complex endeavor. The Ex Libris team will work in close collaboration with the university to ensure a smooth and successful implementation.

"Our decision to adopt Alma and Primo marks an important step forward for the University of Coimbra's library services. We look forward to working with the Ex Libris team to bring these systems to life, providing our faculty, students, and researchers with seamless access to resources, improved discovery tools, and a modern infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of our academic community."

— Manuel Portela, Library Director, University of Coimbra

By joining the growing community of forward-thinking Alma and Primo institutions worldwide, the University of Coimbra strengthens its commitment to innovation in teaching and research. Ex Libris and Clarivate are proud to partner with this historic institution in shaping the future of academic excellence in Portugal.

Learn more about how the Alma Library Services Platform and Primo Discovery Services can elevate your library.