Primo VE NDE UI for I-Share

Revised: February 10, 2025

This page is a work in progress and will be updated as new information becomes available. Please check back regularly and send any questions to . 

Background

Ex Libris has been developing the Next Discovery Experience for Primo, called NDE. This new interface will replace the Primo VE Views that all I-Share libraries currently use. 

The NDE has four components:

  • "A new, sleek, intuitive user interface" (UI) with improved functionality and accessibility
  • More integration of Linked Open Data to "reveal connections" between topics - some aspects are available now in Primo VE and will continue into the NDE UI
  • AI-based Research Assistant to help users with search queries – this is available now in Primo VE and will continue into the NDE UI
  • A new user engagement analytics tool for libraries called Mixpanel coming with the NDE UI to help libraries "track and optimize the discovery experience" that will replace the existing Oracle-based Analytics for Primo; it is a similar interface to Google Analytics.

Timing

With the November 2025 software release, the NDE UI is available to all customers for testing and planning; however, please note that the NDE UI does not yet have all consortial functionality included in it. Ex Libris continues to add missing consortial features, and CARLI will thoroughly test them to be sure everything works as expected for I-Share. I-Share libraries should not go live with NDE UI until CARLI has announced that our testing is complete and that we have confirmed all necessary functionality for I-Share is present.

I-Share libraries can tentatively plan to go live with NDE UI after July 1, 2026, though CARLI staff feel that summer 2027 may be a better target date.

I-Share libraries should plan to migrate to NDE UI no later than January 2028 because Ex Libris has indicated that they will no longer support other versions of Primo as of that date.

CARLI Primo NDE UI resources and documentation

  • CARLI is currently testing consortial functionality and has identified one critical issue with the NDE UI so far: the Automatic Item Availability checking function on the consortial I-Share Request Form is NOT currently automatic. We have reported this to Ex Libris but have not heard when this feature will be fixed. This feature is important for many I-Share libraries to prevent users from placing requests in Primo VE for items that do not exist or that are not available to them. Without this feature, user requests may initially be successful in Primo VE but then immediately canceled by Alma, making for a frustrating user experience.
  • More information coming in early 2026!

Ex Libris Primo NDE UI documentation

Primo VE NDE Administration Certification Program - I-Share library staff who administer Primo VE are strongly encouraged to become a Certified Primo VE NDE Administrator. 

Next Discovery Experience User Interface

Overview of the NDE Interface and Configuration

NDE UI Customization - Best Practices

Available Features, Functionality and Release Plan for NDE UI