Add ability to load split coverage dates with portfolio loader & export split coverage dates from Alma using standard export methods
This feature would add the ability to load and export split coverage date ranges for Alma portfolios. Currently, the portfolio loader only allows uploading continuous coverage date ranges. However, in some cases, a journal has split coverage dates. For example, we might have access to a journal from:
1980-1995
1997-present
Currently, there is no way to upload this using the portfolio loader; the portfolio loader will only load one of the date ranges. This means we must do extra manual work to enter these date ranges in the portfolio editor.
Also, the standard portfolio export features in Alma, in cases where a portfolio has split coverage dates, only export the first range. In the above example (coverage from 1980-1995 and then 1997- present), export options (such as "extended export") only export the first range (1980-1995). This creates confusion when performing exports, as the export sheet does not contain accurate date range information. The only way to export split coverage from Alma is to use Analytics.
These improved import and export capabilities should be added for all uploadable date fields and all exportable date fields, including both the current coverage dates that display in Primo and the perpetual access date fields only visible in Alma.
When using the Extended Export function the exported file now supports the export of portfolios with multi-coverage (in addition to the existing support for single-coverage).
For more information please see Alma November Release Notes
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Mathias Kratzer commented
For Autoload processes this already works because they are based on the extra agreements for KBART *holding* files defined in the NISO Recommended Practice "RP-26-2019, KBART Automation:
Automated Retrieval of Customer Electronic Holdings" (cf. https://groups.niso.org/apps/group_public/download.php/21896/NISO_RP-26-2019_KBART_Automation.pdf section 2.3.1, in particular).
As Tracey pointed out it is very common for libraries to have subscriptions that do not sum up to a continuous coverage for a given title. And even if it was less common for publishers to provide non-continuous coverage for a given title IMHO it seems odd that KBART obviously assumes that this never happens.
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AN - UNSW commented
This will definitely help with uploading of KBART files from other vendors
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Tracey Reeves commented
I believe this is important functionality, especially if you are going to do any overlap analysis or comparison with print holdings. Unfortunately there are only selected vendors allowing autoload of holdings so the portfolio loader needs to be able to account for split coverages as well. When you cancel package subscriptions and have separately purchased backfiles, having gaps in coverage is quite common.
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Andrea Imre commented
Autload processes use KBART files and split coverage dates are created for dozens of portfolios in our Elsevier ScienceDirect Journals Complete collection. Hopefully ExL can build on that process and allow librarians to add split coverage dates using the portfolio loader.