Handle Identifier support in Alma
Alma provides limited support for permanent URLs through Handle.net (CNRI). We propose that Ex Libris provide the same level of support for Handle URLs in Alma Digital as they do with Esploro customers.
The only documentation for producing Handle URLs in Alma is this blog entry on the Developer Network site:
https://developers.exlibrisgroup.com/blog/generating-a-handle-persistent-identifier-in-alma/
According to the article, an institution must install their own local Handle server to create and register Handle urls. Alma does not communicate with the handle server directly via its API. Instead, institutions that use Handle have to set up a FTP/SFTP site to receive the Handle URLs Alma creates and then send this file to the Handle server to write and register the ULRs with the Handle registry. In theory this process can be automated, but because the configuration in Alma does not allow an institution to specify the HS_ADMIN command, the institution has to manually modify the export file generated by Alma before sending the file to the Handle server for registration.
Ex Libris recently started to host a handle server for Esploro customers and offered a publishing profile that streamlines the Handle ID generation and registration. Esploro users no longer have to maintain their own Handle server, and there is no need to modify an export file and then send to the handle server. This is a welcomed feature, but it only works in Esploro. This feature is not available for digital records in Alma.
We would like to see this function and workflow available for digital records in Alma. We have opened a SF case (#00923457), and was advised to submit a Idea Exchange request, so here we are.
Hi,
Functionality has been added, to allow registration of Handle PIDs in an Ex Libris hosted handle server. See further details - https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/Digital_Resource_Management/020Configuring_Digital_Resource_Management/Configuring_Persistent_Handle_Identifiers_for_Digital_Resources
Thank you,
Daniel
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Brian Meuse commented
We recently moved all our digital collections from DSpace to Esploro and ALMA-D. We moved our handle server from a local hosted one to ExLibris. As such, we are currently unable to publish any new handles for any new ALMA-D items. We would love to see this functionality added!