Levy Library Blog - Levy Library Guides at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Stay informed with updates, training, and tips on the Blackboard Ultra transition—updated regularly through the 2025–2026 academic year.

APRIL 25, 2025

Navigating the Transition to Blackboard Ultra Video Available

The Fall 2025 Blackboard Courses transition work continues! Watch the transition workshop recording focused on what you need to know at vimeo.com/1078676280/d87e7ad62a?share=copy

We will do another round of workshops before the Spring 2026 semester for those of you who teach in the Spring to get accustomed to the Ultra interface.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact the Levy Library Educational Technology Team at https://libguides.mssm.edu/educationaltechnology/connectwithEdTech or email edtech@mssm.edu

APRIL 15, 2025

Upcoming Training Dates and a Sneak Peek of the New Experience

The Fall 2025 Blackboard Courses transition work has begun! Watch the pre-transition workshop recording focused on what you need to know at vimeo.com/1074030966/bb7445584b?share=copy

The next training is Navigating the Transition to Blackboard Ultra on Monday, April 21, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm. Please register at libcal.mssm.edu/event/14258733 even if you aren’t able to attend so you receive the recording. [recorded video now available]

Here’s a sneak preview of the improved navigation menus in Ultra for instructors and students:

Screenshots of original Blackboard navigation menu and the new layout for instructor and students

MARCH 12, 2025

Blackboard Ultra is Coming Fall 2025: What You Need to Know

Our online learning management system Blackboard enables learning anytime, anywhere. We are excited to upgrade to the Blackboard Ultra platform starting with the Fall 2025 courses. This blog will provide project updates for the entire 2025-2026 academic year.

Getting to Know Ultra

Ultra provides several benefits:

Improved course interface and navigation
Mobile-friendly experience
New features like course-specific Content Search
Streamlined workflow for learner submissions
Potential for future integration with Blackboard AI Design Assistant and other scholarly tools

We will share more on these Ultra aspects as they go live.

Making the Transition

Upgrading to Ultra is a team effort among instructors and coordinators, enrollment management, Academic Systems, the Library's Educational Technology team, and Blackboard's experts.

We welcome you to participate in real-time training, review videos and guides, or connect with us for specific support. These courses will be recorded and links will be shared here.

To get ready for the transition, please attend Preparing your Course for the Blackboard Learning Management System Transition to Ultra on Thursday, March 20th, 2025, Noon-1:30 PM.
Many fall courses will be transitioned between April 1-30. The follow-up course, Navigating the Transition to Blackboard Ultra, Monday April 21st, 2025, Noon – 1:30, will help you once your courses have transitioned to Blackboard Ultra.

There will be additional trainings for those whose fall courses are transitioned later this summer, and for spring courses that will transition in the fall. We will link them here when they are scheduled.

Stay in Touch

We look forward to introducing you to Blackboard Ultra through updates to this blog and a variety of communications. We would be happy to speak with your group about the Ultra transition, please contact us at edtech@mssm.edu.

Kris Alpi, Associate Dean of Libraries & Information Sciences

Recent Posts

Celebrating our Graduate and Professional Students: Partners in Discovery and Impact

Happy Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week Month! At the Levy Library, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the dedication, resilience, and passion you bring to your work each day. Whether you’re diving into research, tackling complex coursework, or contributing to groundbreaking discoveries, your efforts inspire us all. As your library team, we're here to be your equitable partner every step of the way—whether you need access to essential resources, research support, a quiet study space, or just a helpful hand. Here's how we can help you thrive throughout your academic journey: 1. Your Partner in Scholarly Research Need help with your research? Whether it’s refining your research question, conducting a literature review, navigating complex databases or managing your citations, our Education & Research Services team offers personalized consultations to help you develop research strategies that save time and get results. Don’t forget to explore the Scholarly Publishing and Visualization Hub, our new portal for support in reference management, the publishing and promotion process, metrics, and visualizations—an invaluable resource for taking your scholarly research and work to the next level. 2. Powerful Tools and Resources Access our robust collection of scholarly tools and materials including literature databases like PubMed, point of care tools like UpToDate, e-books, scholarly articles, and reference management tools like EndNote and Zotero to streamline your workflow. Not sure if we have access to something? Contact our Ask a Librarian service, and we will be more than happy to help you find what you need. 3. Workshops and Classes Our Library Classes & Workshops are designed to build your confidence and skills, whether you’re just starting your research or diving deep into data management. We offer a wide range of workshops including introductions to EndNote and Zotero, conducting literature reviews, publishing, and artificial intelligence. 4. Study Spaces That Work for You We know that both focus and downtime are essential to your success. That’s why the Levy Library offers a range of study environments—from quiet zones to collaborative workspaces and tech-equipped rooms—so you can choose what works best for you. Need a more private spot? Our reservable rooms are perfect for virtual meetings, interviews, or solo study sessions. And don’t forget to check out your brand-new Levy Library Student Commons, a dedicated space just for graduate and medical students—designed with your needs in mind. 5. Tech Support and Equipment Loans Need a charger, stand, or laptop? We’ve got you covered. Our equipment loan service helps you stay connected and productive, especially when you’re moving between classes, labs, and work. Simply walk to our User Services desk and borrow away! 6. Support for Your Well-being We know success goes beyond academics. Whether you need a quiet space to focus, a friendly face, or just a moment to recharge, we’re here for you. Our spaces, resources, services, and team are always ready to support you—not just during Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week Month, but every day of the year. From all of us at the Levy Library—thank you for your incredible work, your curiosity, and your commitment to making a difference. We see you, we appreciate you, and we’re always here for you. Happy Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week Month! ...

Levy Library Launches Scholarly Publishing And Visualization Hub During National Library Week

In celebration of National Library Week (April 6–12), we’re excited to introduce a new reason to be drawn to the library: the launch of the Scholarly Publishing and Visualization Hub — bringing together services and resources that inspire and empower Mount Sinai researchers, clinicians, and students to create and share new knowledge. At a time when libraries continue to spark imagination, foster connection, and help users connect the dots across ideas, disciplines, and discoveries, the Scholarly Publishing and Visualization Hub (SPV Hub) introduces ways to connect students, faculty, and staff with tools and services that enable innovation and the dissemination of Mount Sinai’s scholarly activity within and beyond our community. Whether you're exploring the work of fellow Mount Sinai researchers, seeking collaborators, or developing your own project, Library support at every stage is easy to identify on the SPV Hub. Discover research happening across the institution, connect with potential partners, and bring your ideas to life with expert guidance on visualizations, scholarly research and writing, and reference management. As part of our commitment to equity in access and innovation, the SPV Hub showcases partnerships by which we offer digital platforms such as the Levy Library Press and the Icahn School of Medicine Scholars Portal, and expert guidance to help you share your work, explore open access options, and select journals to reach your intended audiences. To help amplify your impact, we offer support with author profiles, visibility tools, and research metrics. The SPV Hub also serves as a online portal to come together with colleagues through events and workshops that foster community and shared learning. As we mark 50 years of fueling discovery and scholarship at the Levy Library, the launch of this SPV Hub stands as a powerful reflection of that legacy while staying true to our long-standing commitment to be your equitable and inclusive partner in learning. We invite you to explore the Scholarly Publishing and Visualization Hub — a virtual space designed to inspire and support every stage of your scholarly journey — and connect with the Library team with your ideas and questions. For more information and to get started, please visit the Scholarly Publishing and Visualization webpage at: libguides.mssm.edu/spv-hub ...

Publish in BMJ Open Quality at no cost to Mount Sinai Authors

The Levy Library is happy to announce that Mount Sinai's subscription to resources from BMJ offers new benefits for our community. For publishing:Mount Sinai corresponding authors can publish for no-cost in BMJ Open Quality for their articles accepted between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2028.BMJ Open Quality accepts original research, local, national, and international quality improvement projects, value-based healthcare initiatives, and educational improvement work.To submit an article to BMJ Open Quality:Visit BMJ Open Quality's author page to review submission guidelines.Submit your article via the BMJ Open Quality Submission Portal.Enter the Icahn School of Medicine's institution discount code to confirm your affiliation and waive publishing fees.We are continuing our agreement for no-cost traditional publishing in BMJ Case Reports. For journal and database access:We now have full text access to all BMJ Journals and our BMJ Best Practice tool now includes the Comorbidities Manager (learn more on the BMJ website) ...

Levy Library Hours Update: Early Opening and Closure on Saturday, March 29 - plan ahead!

Please be advised that due to a planned electrical shutdown and maintenance in the Annenberg Building, the Levy Library will have adjusted hours on Saturday, March 29, 2025.Adjusted Levy Library HoursTo accommodate building-wide electrical maintenance, Levy Library will have adjusted hours and access over the weekend. Please note that we will be opening earlier than usual on Saturday:Saturday, March 29: Open from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (early opening and early closure)Sunday, March 30: Reopening at 12:00 pm, with normal operating hours resumingAccess Restrictions During our ClosureThe following areas will be fully closed during the shutdown: Levy Library, 11th FloorLevy Library Student CommonsLevy Library, 10th Floor Classrooms and Individual Study RoomPlease be advised that Mount Sinai ID card access to the 10th and 11th floors will be disabled from Saturday at 4:30 pm through Sunday morning until noon.Plan AheadWe encourage all users to secure alternate locations for study, research, or work during this time.If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at library@mssm.edu.Thank you for your cooperation and understanding....

Blackboard Online Courses Upgrade to Ultra Platform 2025-2026