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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80 results found
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Override and reset the maximum renewal date
We would like to be able to override and reset the maximum renewal date when renewing loans that has gone over the initial maximum renewal period.
The override option that we have today, only overrides the renewal blockage and not the maximum renewal period. When the new due date arrives, the "maximun renewal date" is still expired and the renewal has to be handled by a librarian.
As it is now, we have to return and reloan the material for the patron, a manual prosess that takes time and opens up for errors.
213 votes -
Enable bulk due date changes based on a set of items listed by barcode
We've had occasions where it would have been useful to be able to create a set of items, for example, in Alma Analytics. Then to take that set of items, e.g. a CSV or Excel file listing the barcodes, and then to update the due dates of all those items, to a new fixed value.
This is similar to the current Bulk Due Date Change functionality, but with the addition of uploading a list of items to change.
Regards,
Ciaran
The University of Manchester Library
181 votes -
Add a tab "re-loan" to Patron Services to return and re-loan items in one step
An additional tab (e.g. "re-loan" or "Wiederausleihe" in German) would be a valuable improvement to the Patron Services page.
The goal of this tab is the returning and re-loaning of an item to the patron in one step, with a pop-up warning if there are requests present in the request queue.
The option of a re-loan tab would be a big help in cases where large amounts of items are reloaned to the same person when the items reach the maximum amount of renewals. The additional tab would make the process easier, less error-prone and especially faster.174 votes -
Allow individual process types for detailed borrowing rules.
It would be helpful to enable the individual process types to configure detailed borrowing rules. We have created several process types for items, such as "Searching," "Cataloging," and "Request on Hold." However, in the fulfillment unit rule parameters, these process types are grouped with the system-generated "Acquisition Technical Services" under the "In Process" category. Consequently, we cannot select them individually as parameters, which prevents the library from setting detailed borrowing rules for specific process types.
133 votes -
Overdue notifications to be sent also on days after closed days
We noticed that if closed days are configured, and a closed day is between the due date of a loan and the planned day on which the first reminder should be sent, the job does not generate a notification on that day but waits until the next one.
This leads to misunderstanding on the patrons side, because the grace period is not always identical and can vary depending on possible closed days.
We described the issue in case nr. 05301818 (old SF nr.: 00953477) and were told that this is the expected behaviour. The Product manager decided that when there's…131 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 -
Make Alma able to deactivate the security of the RFID tags when lending items from other IZs
In a network circulation context, Alma cannot currently disable the security of the RFID tag when lending the document from another institution zone (hold shel request on items of other IZs). We would like Alma to be able to deactivate the security of items of other IZs. Currently the deactivation must be done "manually" in a third party software.
108 votes -
Patron services – Renew all loans
When the number of loans is more than 50, they are displayed on several pages.
When we want to renew all the loans, or to modify their due date, we can’t do it all at once, but page by page.
We would like to be able to select ALL the loans, no matter how many they are, to work them on bulk.104 votes -
Short Loan Reminder - overdue notice doesn't display due time
The Short Loan Reminder uses the Full Overdue and Lost Loan Notification letter for the overdue reminder (sent x minutes after due time). This letter does not display the due time of loans however, and is not configurable.
88 votes -
Ability for fulfillment staff to renew patron loans from other institutions under network activity in Alma
Our consortium would like circulation desk staff to have the ability within Alma to renew items on loan from other institutions from under a user's network activity tab (renew all and renew selected, though renew all being more helpful if both are not possible).
Currently, only the user has access to a renewal option via their Primo VE My Library Card.
76 votes -
Send overdue notifications only on library's open days
Since we would prefer to avoid to send overdue and lost loan notifications to our patrons on Sundays and holidays, it would be great to have a further option for when to automatically run the “overdue and lost loan job”, that is, to run it only “on the library’s open days”, based on the opening hours set in the “Calendar management”.
74 votes -
Fulfillment Overrides without separate login
When an override by a manager is needed at a circulation workstation, there should be a way for the manager to override either remotely or at the workstation without the operator logging out.
69 votes -
Change default value in pop-up message for shipped items in the scan in interface
This warning message was added in July 2020 release to prevent accidentally completing a lending request:
https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Release_Notes/2020/Alma_2020_Release_Notes
With the introduction of Rapido, we noticed this warning message popping up a lot more often, and since the default value is on "Confirm", many requests are cancelled accidentally by double-scanning. We would like to suggest that this message be set by default to "Cancel" rather than "Confirm" or being able to configure the preselected default value.
The mapping table is under: IZ Configuration > Fulfillment > Physical Fulfillment > Scan In Messages Configuration > line 3 Complete lending request.68 votes -
option to "Send Return Receipt" from "Return items"
When I'm returning books from the drop box, using "Return Items", I would really appreciate the option to "Send Return Receipt" in cases where the patron has accrued fines. It makes sense from a customer service standpoint - rather than the fine eventually going to billing (and adding the billing fee) without ever letting the patron know that they owe a fine. This is similar to the last idea posted, but subtly different, so I thought I'd go ahead and suggest this.
Thanks, Marian60 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 -
Option to set return time to 15 minutes before closing
We issue equipment such as laptops to students. These must be returned before the library closes.
In the current TOUs it is only possible to set the due time to closing time. However, we really need to check all equipment is back, and therefore would like to set the due time to 15 mins (or 30mins) before closing.We would also do this for short loans, as these require being returned before the library shuts. Otherwise the student will receive fines.
Changing the closing time of the library would be too confusing for everyone
51 votes -
"Fulfilment Configuration Utility"- include specific loan date for closed days
When setting up the Closed Library Due Date Management for short loan items, it would be useful to be able to test it in the Fulfilment Configuration Utility by specifying the loan date and time rather than the only option being 'if the item was borrowed now'.
For example, in order to test the rule for our 24 hour loans when taking the weekend closed days into consideration, this can only be done on a Friday, which can mean having to wait 5 days to test the parameter.
If it were possible to select Friday 08:00 as the loan date…
50 votes -
NOT erasing Return Items page every time we leave it
Every time we leave the Return Items page, it erases the list of returned books. This is disastrous for us, so we would like to keep the list of all books returned during the day (or since logging in until logging out).
If someone benefits from erasing the list, just give us a choice whether we want it erased or not.Now let me explain why it is crucial for our work:
We work in quite small public library where Patrons can move around freely and pick books from the shelves on their own. Often they return books first and…39 votes -
Extra column in "Return items" with "Fine per patron"
We would like to have an extra column in return items, a column for fine per patron. Because at every return we immediately want to see if the patron has a fine in general, not for the returned item. We would like to see this in Return items and not via "Manage patron services / Returns". Is this possible or something similar?
37 votes -
Bulk Change Due Dates for All libraries of institution
Add the ALL LIBRARIES option to avoid having to do one after the other
36 votes
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