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Rapid ILL: ALMA Created lending request. To have .PDF Preview viewer also in 'Download Electronic Resource'

In ALMA there are two different ways to upload a .PDF file to a Rapid ILL created lending request. The 'Ship item digitally' (Document Delivery) way allows upload and also content preview of the actual .PDF file. The other way is via 'Download Electronic Resource' which is better because citation information also appears. But the 'Download Electronic Resource' way does not have a content preview of the .PDF file. The idea proposed is to add the same .PDF file preview window, within the 'Download Electronic Resource' option. This will improve accuracy and efficiency in our workflow.

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M_Patel shared this idea  ·   ·  Admin →
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  • Lisa Dame commented  · 

    Currently, there is a discrepancy in the user interface and functionality when fulfilling lending requests via digital supply, depending on the chosen action.

    When fulfillment staff select "Ship Item Digitally" (typically used when digitizing physical items), the interface provides a built-in document preview window. This functionality is highly beneficial, as it allows the lender to verify that the scan is complete, legible, and that no pages are cut off prior to transmitting the file to the borrower. However, when staff select "Download Electronic Resource" (used for fulfilling requests directly from our electronic collections), the file attachment screen is significantly limited. The current interface only allows staff to attach the file, view the file name, and remove it. There is no preview option available.

    We request that Ex Libris port the document preview pane currently present in the "Ship Item Digitally" workflow over to the "Download Electronic Resource" window.

    Value / Impact for Libraries:
    --Quality Assurance: Allows fulfillment staff to visually verify they have captured the correct PDF and that it downloaded properly from the native vendor platform before sending it to the borrowing institution.
    --Workflow Parity: Standardizes the digital fulfillment experience for library staff across different resource types (physical vs. electronic).
    --Efficiency: Drastically reduces the number of "Resupply" requests from borrowers due to incorrect or corrupted files, improving turnaround times and saving staff effort on both sides of the transaction.

  • Lisa Dame commented  · 

    Fully agree with this enhancement request. Download electronic resource, which has a much more streamlined workflow for downloading and supplying files for RapidILL, does not have a file preview window -- only the option to remove a file. Having this feature added would allow fulfillment staff to visually verify they have uploaded the correct PDF before sending it to the borrowing institution, standardize the digital fulfillment experience for library staff across different resource types (physical vs. electronic), and help reduce the number of "Resupply" requests from borrowers due to incorrect or corrupted files, improving turnaround times and saving staff effort on both sides of the transaction.

Alma: Resource Sharing

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