Discovery UMS: Powering the Library Experience with Smart Digital Management

In the age of digital knowledge, a university library is more than a place — it’s an intelligent ecosystem that connects people to information seamlessly.

At Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), that ecosystem is powered by Discovery UMS, a modern and integrated Library Management System (LMS) that enhances access to books, journals, and digital resources for students, researchers, and staff alike.

With Discovery UMS, the UMS Library delivers faster, smarter, and more connected services — transforming how knowledge is managed and discovered.

What is Discovery UMS?

Discovery UMS is an integrated system that manages the entire operation of the UMS Library — from cataloguing and acquisitions to circulation, reports, and analytics.

It serves as the digital backbone for UMS’s library services, ensuring that information is organized, searchable, and accessible anywhere, anytime. Access Discovery UMS: https://discovery.ums.edu.my

Main Modules of Discovery UMS

1. Cataloguing

At the heart of library management lies precise cataloguing. Record and manage all library materials — books, journals, media, and digital collections. Use standardized metadata for efficient organization and discovery. Keep records up to date and easily searchable by staff and users.

2. Circulation

Manage everything related to borrowing and returning materials seamlessly. Track checkouts, renewals, and reservations in real time. Automate due dates, overdue notices, and return alerts. Allow users to view and manage their loan status through personal library accounts.

3. Acquisitions

Handle procurement and budgeting workflows with accuracy. Manage purchase requests, supplier information, and invoices. Track and monitor library budget allocations and expenditures. Ensure every new material is properly recorded and accounted for.

4. Serials

Simplify the management of journals and magazines. Automate subscription tracking and renewal schedules.mMaintain detailed records of serial issues and holdings. Support both printed and electronic serials.

5. OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue)

Empower users to search and explore library resources on their own. Public access for students, lecturers, and external users. Search across books, journals, and multimedia materials quickly. Access anywhere via the Discovery UMS portal.

6. Reports

Generate meaningful insights to improve library services. Produce statistical reports on borrowing, user activity, and resource usage. Analyze popular titles, usage trends, and inventory turnover. Support data-driven decision-making for collection development.

Additional Functions

Discovery UMS enhances the library experience with intelligent automation: User access control for staff, students, and public users. Automated reminders for overdue materials. RFID integration for faster and more accurate item circulation. Real-time data synchronization for system-wide consistency. These functions make the system not only efficient but also future-ready.

Why Discovery UMS Stands Out

Cost-Effective & Scalable – Designed for long-term sustainability with flexible implementation. Customizable & User-Friendly – Tailored to fit the workflows and service model of the UMS Library. Continuous Improvement – Regular system updates and enhancements to meet the needs of students and staff. UMS Library continues to evolve with technology — ensuring every visitor experiences a smoother, faster, and smarter journey of discovery.

Challenges & Considerations

Implementing a large-scale digital library system comes with its own challenges. Requires consistent technical support and maintenance. Data migration from older systems must be handled carefully to ensure accuracy. With its strong digital infrastructure and skilled team, UMS Library continues to overcome these challenges and deliver reliable, secure access to knowledge for everyone.

Empowering Learning, Research, and Access. Discovery UMS is more than a management system — it’s the gateway to UMS’s collective knowledge.

It supports learning, teaching, and research by connecting people to resources efficiently and intelligently. Explore Discovery UMS today at https://discovery.ums.edu.my