Alma
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We would love to be able to respond to every idea that is submitted, but this is not feasible. We are, however, committed to responding to the most popular ideas—those that have received the most points.
For more information please review our FAQ and guidelines. Thank you.
66 results found
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Enable API Access to the Community Zone Updates Task List
Currently, the Community Zone Updates Task List is accessible only through the Alma user interface. While this provides essential functionality for monitoring and acting on updates, it limits the potential for automation and integration with other tools in the library ecosystem. Many institutions use external systems such as workflow automation tools, electronic resource management platforms, and reporting systems that could benefit from direct access to the Community Zone Updates Task List data via API.
16 votes -
Alma APIs Multilingual Code-tables
We’d like to request an enhancement to the Alma API that would allow PUT and POST requests to include translation updates. Currently, only GET requests support the lang parameter for retrieving localized data, while updates ignore these descriptions. Enabling translation updates via API would streamline content management across languages, making it easier to keep localized information current and consistent.
Updating code tables for around 80 patron-facing letters in three different languages via the web UI is extremely time-consuming and inefficient. Allowing translation updates through the API would greatly improve this process, making Alma more effective for multilingual institutions.
We’d also…
15 votes -
Add a configuration option to make Alma send e-mails in plain text only
It should be well known among responsibly acting software vendors that HTML e-mails pose a serious risk for IT security. Anyone who sends HTML e-mails (even such containing a plain text layer) tempts recipients unaware of this risk to do take potentially risky actions in their e-mail client. We as a library should be able to opt-out from tempting our users to do potentially risky things so please add a configuration option to make Alma send plain text only messages.
19 votes -
Add API support for licenses with type Negotiation
We are trying to update the license terms on our licenses in the Network Zone. However, when trying to update a license with type Negotiation, the API returns an error:
"errorCode": "69002",
"errorMessage": "Updating negotiations by API is currently not supported",
"trackingId": "E01-0703094132-MPLRX-AWAE786493119"Please add support for updating Negotiation licenses through the API.
37 votes -
Google books
Integration with Google books is needed similar to that with Google scholar.
1 vote -
Allow loans/requests APIs to override blocks and limits
When using the Alma UI staff are able to override user blocks and loan/request limits when loaning an item or creating a request. With the API this is not possible. It would be helpful if the APIs had a parameter to perform a staff override in the same manner. This would allow automated loans and requests to work in scenarios where staff would have overridden the block/limit, and where it is desirable that the loan/request always succeeds.
3 votes -
Acquisitions API - Interested in user – add other identifiers in addition to Primary ID
Currently Alma allows multiple identifiers to identify ALMA Users, however the Acquisitions API (Interested In users) mapping only allows “primary_ID”.
We’d like any other identifiers used in Alma also be allowed in the mapping (e.g. Email Type). If this is added on the API parameter, staff can use the less sensitive info instead on vendor site.
Noting that adding other identifiers in the Interested_User api parameters - is only doing what EOD acquisition workflow/mapping can already do.
It is cumbersome for staff having need to search the requester’s primary id to be able to use this feature.
Ref #06652820 –…
29 votes -
Add MARC namespace to Alma OAI feed
In our Alma OAI feed, tags lack the marc namespace prefix, where the same prefixes are present in our current Voyager OAI. That is:
Alma OAI: <controlfield tag="005">20231016143437.0</controlfield>
Voyager OAI: <marc:controlfield tag="005">20231016143437.0</controlfield>Can we add the namespace prefix?
1 vote -
Mail Handling Integration - In September 2025 Microsoft Exchange Online to retire Basic auth for Client Submission (SMTP AUTH)
Are there plans for supporting more modern authentication methods (e.g., oauth2)?
I imagine that there are quite a few customers that use Microsoft Exchange (office365) as a relay and will be affected by the retirement of basic auth for Client submission. What, if any, are your plans for handling this?
Thank you
Related article:
4 votes -
Allow updating Controlled Vocabulary (Form) code tables for Alma Digital via API
Currently these tables (with codes beginning "FormCV.vocabulary") can be read via API, but attempting to update them throws a "Requested table is hidden" error. It would be useful to update these code tables automatically from upstream data, rather than requiring staff to import a spreadsheet periodically.
3 votes -
Expand API access to all record fields across all record types
Libraries frequently use API access to Alma records to complete a variety of tasks, provide services, and support special projects. Currently, the types of records and fields that are accessible via APIs are limited. For example, in bibliographic records, the 024 (UPC) field data is inaccessible via the API. Please Expand API access to all record fields across all record types.
3 votes -
Add API support for read/update/add/delete contact e-mails in Organization units: library, Institution Zone
Use case: Library / IZ contact e-mails are used in many workflows as the e-mail sender for letters generated in Alma. In our network (31 IZs), we are running a consortia mail server. As part of the configuration, we moved the library and IZ contact e-mails to our consortia domain. For example, library@abc.ch is now library-abc@swisscovery.net. This means changing the configuration of each library contact e-mail in the IZ to a different e-mail address and adding a description.
Initially, we made these changes manually. However, as e-mails can change, we have to maintain these changes. In addition, these e-mails…2 votes -
Improve access to Developer Network by consortial staff
Currently the Developer Network requires unique email addresses for accounts, even across different institutions. This prevents our central office staff from having one developer network account, with their real email address, to use across our consortium.
Instead, they're forced to create multiple accounts, with bogus email addresses or no email addresses at all, in order to have access to multiple institutions Developer Network accounts. And, as we understand it, bogus or missing email addresses mean that the Multi Factor Authentication can not be used.
We believe a single account for an individual, tied to a single real email address, should…
4 votes -
Enhancing Alma with ERP System Integration for Streamlined Operations
Alma is a robust library management system, but its potential could be further maximized by integrating ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system functionalities. By incorporating ERP features, Alma could streamline financial management, procurement, and resource allocation across library operations. This integration would not only improve efficiency but also provide a unified platform for managing budgets, tracking expenditures, and optimizing resource allocation. Additionally, an ERP system could enhance reporting capabilities, offering deeper insights into library data that could inform strategic decision-making. This approach would position Alma as a more comprehensive tool, catering to the evolving needs of modern libraries.
ERP recommendation: https://www.impactfirst.co/id/erp/software-erp
1 vote -
Mail Handling via Graph API by Microsoft
I am writing to highlight the technical advantages of using Microsoft Graph API over SMTP for our email services:
Unified Endpoint:
Graph API provides a single endpoint for accessing a wide range of Microsoft 365 services, streamlining integration and reducing complexity.Enhanced Security:
Utilizes OAuth 2.0 for authentication, offering stronger security measures compared to SMTP's basic authentication.Rich Data Access:
Access to not just emails, but also metadata, user profiles, and more, enabling comprehensive application development.Real-time Capabilities:
Supports webhooks and delta queries for real-time data updates, ensuring immediate synchronization.Simplified Development:
Consistent API with extensive documentation and SDKs, reducing…
1 vote -
Optimizing Library Operations Through Alma API Integration
Hello everyone,
I am seeking expert guidance on effectively harnessing Alma’s API capabilities to elevate our library’s operational efficiency. As we strive to streamline processes and strengthen system integration, including mulesoft API integration. I am eager to learn from the collective wisdom of this community.
I am particularly interested in insights on:
Best Practices: Proven methods for seamlessly integrating Alma APIs with external systems to ensure optimal data flow and mitigate potential challenges.
Overcoming Obstacles: Common hurdles encountered during Alma API integration and successful strategies for resolution.
Performance Enhancement: Techniques and tools for optimizing Alma API performance, especially when…3 votes -
Add ability to customize the data exported by Bursar integration profile using System = Other
When creating an integration profile of type Bursar which uses a ‘System’ setting of ‘Other’ there should be more granular control over what data is included in the export.
If a ‘System’ setting of ‘Other’ is selected, then a 'Data' tab should be made available which will allow you to select via checkbox what fines/fees and user data is included in the exported file. The data available should at minimum include, but not necessarily be limited to, what is accessible via API.
15 votes -
Add export start/effective date to Bursar integration profile configuration settings
When creating a new Bursar integration profile, we want to be able to limit the transactions being exported to only those generated after a specific date. This is in addition to ‘Time before export (days)’ setting. We've never used an integration profile to export fines/fees to be transferred to our bursar office and have instead used the API. We're now stuck in a situation where we can't switch to using an integration profile because without a start/effective date there's no way to prevent the exported files from creating double billing of transactions that have already been transferred to our bursar…
15 votes -
Improve Shelf Report functionality and responsiveness
Alma’s “Shelf Report” tool is a cumbersome, involved “inventory” process that requires users to populate a spreadsheet with barcode values, feed it to Alma, and then track down and manually identify any items that come back as an error (without Alma providing a timely or clear explanation for where a problem item might have been found if it was detected, or not detected). We’re aware of Dean Lingley’s API for “shelf inventory” and the WRLC “AlmaInventory” tool that attempt to cover some of these gaps, but neither of these replicate the same mass-scan-immediate-feedback-fix-it-and-move-on utility (without involving spreadsheets, macros, etc.) that…
61 votes -
Retrieve associated collections by MMS ID
In the Alma API there should be an end point to input an mms id number and return all collection ids associated with that ID number.
This functionality already exists for e-collections (GET /almaws/v1/bibs/{mms_id}/e-collections) but no such functionality exists for regular collections.
2 votes
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