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.
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1730 results found
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Add block information box on patron’s account landing page
Currently, when accessing a patron’s account through the “Manage Patron Services” tab, the patron’s account landing page does not show the block information (a pop-up does show up but with incomplete information, as recorded in a SF case). In order to access block information, one has to click on the patron’s name, and then navigate to the block tab.
The suggested idea would be that a box containing block information be added in the left-hand column of the patron’s account information, under the box containing loans, returns, requests and fines and fees information. Block types could be described with the…32 votes -
Manage Deleted Repository--ability to select and restore a group of records
Manage Deleted Repository is a helpful feature helps us restore records that were mistakenly deleted. However, it only allows us to restore records one at a time by clicking a "Restore" button next to each record. This is not workable when a large number of records need to be restored. We need functionality that will allow us to select and restore groups of records.
The Restoring Records Removed or Changed by Jobs functionality (https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/050Administration/070Managing_Jobs/020Manual_Jobs_on_Defined_Sets#Restoring_Records_Removed_or_Changed_by_Jobs) does not sufficiently address this need, as it can only restore repository content deleted by a job, not records deleted manually. Also, even in…
62 votes -
Request to Enhance the Purchase Requests API
We would like to request several enhancements to the Purchase Requests API.
First, when sending a purchase request API call from the library website to Alma, we would like the API to allow submission of the request date or request month and to return responses that reflect this information.
Second, the Purchase Requests API currently returns a maximum of 100 records. We request that these returned records be sorted in descending order by request date.
Finally, we would like the maximum number of records returned by the Purchase Requests API to be increased from 100 to 500.
10 votes -
Creation of Lending requests by DOI or PMID
It should be possible for ILL librarians to create Lending requests received by email from non-Alma Partners by entering a DOI or PMID using Alma Resolver Augmentation.
This would save the time involved of entering each field manually by copying and pasting.
The feature already exists in Borrowing but was not developed for Lending.35 votes -
separate work orders from patron requests
On the results from a physical titles search, each title shows the number of requests pending for that title. This number includes both patron physical item requests and internal work orders. In order to see what requests fall into which category, you have to click on the Requests link and wait for the information to load in the slider pane (this can take some time if the number of requests is large). Then you can filter by request/process type.
It would be useful for these two categories of requests to be separated from each other. For example, we circulate laptops…55 votes -
Allow Adjustments to Fines and Fees
Summary:
Currently, when staff members need to adjust a fine or fee (for example, to correct the replacement cost of a lost item), the process requires deleting the existing fee and creating a new one. This creates a significant issue: the newly created fee is not correctly linked to the associated item record.Problem Description:
When a patron reports a lost or overdue item and is unable to locate it, staff adjust the charge to reflect the actual replacement cost. However, because the system does not support direct modification of existing fees, staff must delete the original fee and manually…14 votes -
Add "linking information" in Community zone databases when they are not activated yet
Hello,
When I look in the Community Zone at an electronic Portfolio that has not been activated by us yet, I can click on "Linking Information" and test the link and control if it goes where we want it to go.Unfortunately, this is not possible yet, when we want to look at a zero title database. There, we actually can only test the link after we have activated it.
Therefore, I suggest adding the field "Linking information" on database level, too, for databases that are not activated yet; analogous to the field that exists on portfolio level.
Best,
Igor…36 votes -
Integration of Patron Age in Loan Rules
We propose that the patron's date of birth be taken into account in the loan rules of Alma's Fulfillment Units, alongside User group. This would allow the restriction of loan for certain documents to minors (under 14, under 16, etc.), ensuring compliance with access restrictions for sensitive content.
This feature would enhance loan management and ensure better compliance with library policies.111 votes -
Add and improve audit logging and system event tracking for changes to Alma configuration
Many institutions have needs and requirements to be able to track when Alma configurations change, and who changed them.
This is especially true because many Alma "administrator" roles combine complex librarian tasks with systems configuration abilities. For example, Catalog Administrator or General Systems Administrator is required to create new metadata import profiles - a task that catalogers need to do regularly. But, both roles also grant additional abilities to configure Alma behavior for resource management,
integrations and the like.Use cases include:
Monitoring changes as part of standard internal audit review. For example, an institution may identify that even though…
139 votes -
Invoice Line Price and Additional charges data made available in Analytics
There is a need in our Acquisition department, and in the Collection Strategies department, to better understand what we spend on tax and freight for individual funds. In past fiscal years we used separate funds dedicated to the freight and tax funds. In this new fiscal year and going forward all funds, as has been practiced with endowment funds, will have freight and tax encumbered and invoiced within the fund itself. This is to align with the campus's new financial system. In order to track freight and service charges per fund in any fiscal year going forward we need to…
13 votes -
Visibility of Patron Blocks in Alma
Not all patron blocks are visible under the "Blocks" tab in Alma, depending on the type of block and how it is generated. For example, the maximum cash limit block does not appear in the tab but can be seen as a pop-up notification when using the Manage Patron Services screen.
It would be extremely helpful if all blocks were displayed in the "Blocks" - tab, making it easier for staff to get a complete overview of a patron’s status and blocks.
17 votes -
Better information design for pop-ups in the New Circ UI
When managing return items in Alma: information in the pop-up on subsequent steps in the process is difficult to read due to a small typeface. Also, not all information is relevant or, strictly speaking, correct (e.g. "item is not on loan" even when there is an active request).
We would like to see a larger font in general, or, if this is not feasible, at least the requester's name in bold typeface. This would add a much needed visual cue for staff processing returns.
The bullet point about the item not being on loan could be supressed as it offers…
58 votes -
Overdue Fine in different periods
After changing the "Overdue Fine" parameter, the entire fee is recalculated with the new value.
According to the law, the fee should be counted up to the change with the old value and after the change with the new value.
E.g. until 2024-12-31 parameter=0.2, then parameter=0.4
This is especially important in public libraries.120 votes -
Add ability to sort by due date
In certain circumstances, such as when working with renewals or overdue books, we are looking specifically for books with certain due dates. However, currently the system does not allow us to sort sets by due date, and this can make the requests we need to work on hard to find. Adding the ability to sort by due date will save staff time and frustration.
4 votes -
Ability to create Alma Analytics Objects from Primo VE Network Reports Folder
The institutions of the consortia working in the Network use the same analytics reports. In the case of Alma Analytics, it is possible to add new Alma Analytics objects from the Alma Analytics Network Folder. However, there is no possibility to add new Primo Analytics objects from the Primo Analytics Network Folder. Please implement such a possibility, as it is very important for consortia, especially those with consortium IT support centers.
101 votes -
Monthly Limit Feature for Patron Purchase Requests
We propose adding a feature that enables libraries to set a monthly limit on the number of purchase requests each patron can make. If a patron exceeds this limit, the system should automatically decline their request and display a message explaining the reason, such as: "Each patron is limited to submitting N purchase requests per month.
Thanks!
154 votes -
ensure that when 'po_line_description_update_upon_bib_change' enabled, subfield A does not get overwritten by subfield L in 022
Sharing description from our Cataloger, CH:
We believe the following describes a defect.
Support indicates it is an enhancement request and suggests we propose on Idea Exchange.
Background:
1) We turned on the ‘polinedescriptionupdateuponbibchange’ enhancement in the sandbox.
2) The enhancement overwrote the $$l instead of pulling in the $$a from 022 – this behavior describes a defect
None of the following 3 options allow us to properly use the ‘polinedescriptionupdateuponbibchange’ enhancement:
1. Ideally, we want to enable the ‘polinedescriptionupdateuponbibchange’ function to…10 votes -
Simplify item scanning when processing is complete
Operators would benefit from not having to choose a Work Order Type and Status when the treatment is complete. It is not always easy to find out which cataloguing or repair operation has been carried out on an item. And above all, it's not useful if Done =“No” is selected.
Couldn't you put this last line at the beginning of the form, and open the Work Order Type and Status boxes only if "Yes" has been ticked, rather than the other way round?
Thank you and thank you for supporting this modest proposal.
Nicolas
88 votes -
Block when overdue: add a "days per overdue days" unit of measurement option
Hello everyone,
when defining user loan blocks, there are several options available to be used as "units of measurement" in order to calculate the loan block period: we are in doubt about which option fits best for us, as we want to set up this option in the most convenient way for our patrons.
There are lots of options, both "discrete" and "cumulative" (we have chosen "cumulative), but in our opinion, we think that the most appropriate ones are "days per overdue days" and "open days per open overdue days", although they both have their pros and cons: the first…57 votes -
Add/remove public notes for electronic collection notes in bulk
If there are known access issues with one specific provider, it would be useful to add / remove a note to all electronic collections, which an institution may have for this provider / interface at once. At present, we have to edit all collections for providers individually if we want to add the same public note for all.
15 votes
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