Alma
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1748 results found
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When doing "Scan In Items" for "Pick From Shelf" request, say that if a patron has an overdue, say that he has an overdue and cancel reques
When doing "Scan In Items" for "Pick From Shelf" request, say that if a patron has an overdue, say that he has an overdue and cancel request
1 vote -
Enhance Support for Non-University Libraries
Issue: Alma is heavily focused on academic libraries and electronic resources, making it less suitable for cultural institutions or libraries managing physical, archival, or unique materials.
Improvement:
Develop specialized modules for archival and special collections, including better support for preservation treatments, valuation, and non-MARC metadata (e.g., Dublin Core).
Create configurable workflows for physical resource management that are less acquisition-centric, addressing the needs of state or special libraries.
Expand Community Zone metadata to include more diverse formats and sources relevant to non-academic libraries.
RapidILL Synergy: Extend RapidILL’s support for non-traditional resources (e.g., datasets, 3D objects) to align with Alma’s expanded metadata capabilities, enabling seamless sharing of diverse materials.
Impact: Broadens Alma’s appeal to cultural and special libraries, addressing criticisms about its university-centric focus.
Escape Road CityIssue: Alma is heavily focused on academic libraries and electronic resources, making it less suitable for cultural institutions or libraries managing physical, archival, or unique materials.
Improvement:
Develop specialized modules for archival and special collections, including better support for preservation treatments, valuation, and non-MARC metadata (e.g., Dublin Core).
Create configurable workflows for physical resource management that are less acquisition-centric, addressing the needs of state or special libraries.
Expand Community Zone metadata to include more diverse formats and sources relevant to non-academic libraries.
RapidILL Synergy: Extend RapidILL’s support for non-traditional resources (e.g., datasets, 3D objects) to align with Alma’s expanded metadata…1 vote -
Support Storage Location ID in SRU and Barcode API Queries
Hi,
Currently, Alma's BIB SRU interface does not support querying by Storage Location ID. This limits our ability to perform targeted searches for items based on their physical storage location, which is a critical need for institutions managing remote or offsite collections.
We propose the following enhancements to improve Alma's interoperability and search capabilities:
Extend the BIB SRU “q” parameter to support querying by Storage Location ID.
Introduce an ITEM-level SRU endpoint, similar to the existing BIB SRU, that would support more granular item-level searches including by Storage Location ID.
Alternatively or additionally, add Storage Location ID as a searchable field in the existing Alma API that supports querying by barcode.
Example Usage:
Libraries with multiple storage locations, including remote or automated facilities, need an efficient and standardized way to locate and manage items based on their storage location. Having Storage Location ID available in SRU and APIs would allow seamless integration with external inventory systems and automation workflows.
Impact:
Streamlines item management in large and complex storage environments.
Enables better automation of inventory and retrieval tasks.
Facilitates integration with third-party systems through standards-compliant interfaces.
We appreciate your consideration and look forward to seeing this functionality included in a future Alma release.
Thank you,
Shaul Greenstein
NLI-LibraryHi,
Currently, Alma's BIB SRU interface does not support querying by Storage Location ID. This limits our ability to perform targeted searches for items based on their physical storage location, which is a critical need for institutions managing remote or offsite collections.
We propose the following enhancements to improve Alma's interoperability and search capabilities:
Extend the BIB SRU “q” parameter to support querying by Storage Location ID.
Introduce an ITEM-level SRU endpoint, similar to the existing BIB SRU, that would support more granular item-level searches including by Storage Location ID.
Alternatively or additionally, add Storage Location ID as a searchable…
1 vote -
Export electronic portfolios to one file regardless of electronic collection
Per the documentation at the link below, when using the Export Electronic Portfolios job, "each collection is written to a separate file ... even if you select the One File option". We would like the option to export to one file regardless of collection. This would support better integration between Alma and other systems by allowing libraries to more easily provide complete data on electronic holdings.
It is possible to use publishing profiles to publish electronic holdings in the form of MARC or XML, but these formats are not as easily processed by 3rd party vendors. It is also possible to transform MARC or XML to a tabular (TXT, CSV, KBART etc) format (or even concatenate the output of the many files output by the job currently), but this does not work well if the goal is an automated ongoing integration.
Per the documentation at the link below, when using the Export Electronic Portfolios job, "each collection is written to a separate file ... even if you select the One File option". We would like the option to export to one file regardless of collection. This would support better integration between Alma and other systems by allowing libraries to more easily provide complete data on electronic holdings.
It is possible to use publishing profiles to publish electronic holdings in the form of MARC or XML, but these formats are not as easily processed by 3rd party vendors. It is also possible…
10 votes -
Primo Discovery facet limit
In the discovery Primo, it would be helpful if the "discoveryfacetlimit" could be configured to allow more than 50 results. We are a library system of 175 libraries, and the Library Filter sometimes doesn't display all of them due to this limit.
2 votes -
Allow sort configuration in Primo (VE and NDE) brief results view and Collections View
Currently as far as is known, search results and collections items can only be sorted by year. Multiple records with the same year creation date cannot be further sorted.
See https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Primo/Product_Documentation/Primo/Technical_Guide/010The_PNX_Record/080The_Sort_Section"[The Sort section] is not applicable to Primo VE environments. Only the Display, Facets, and Search sections are configurable in Primo VE"
I would like to be able to sort a set of records by specific date (day, month, year) in any list of multiple records (collection with items view, basic brief records view, etc.).
This could be based on whatever date structure is necessary (yyyymmdd, etc.) and could use any possible MARC field, though MARC 033 $a seems like the best choice for basing a function on a structured exact date.
Alternatively, allow users to configure custom sort indexes based on fields of their choice.
Currently as far as is known, search results and collections items can only be sorted by year. Multiple records with the same year creation date cannot be further sorted.
See https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Primo/Product_Documentation/Primo/Technical_Guide/010The_PNX_Record/080The_Sort_Section"[The Sort section] is not applicable to Primo VE environments. Only the Display, Facets, and Search sections are configurable in Primo VE"
I would like to be able to sort a set of records by specific date (day, month, year) in any list of multiple records (collection with items view, basic brief records view, etc.).
This could be based on whatever date structure is necessary (yyyymmdd, etc.) and could…
1 vote -
Analytics Search Results - allow export or open in new tab
When using "Search" in Alma Analytics it would be useful to EITHER:
Be able to export the results of the Analytics Search into excel
OR
Be able to click on a search result and for the report to open in a new tab.Currently if you select a report from the search results it opens and you lose the search results page. If it is not the correct report then you have to start the search from scratch again and sometimes the search takes a while.
Having some way of exporting a record of the results - so you can you and find the reports and check which one you need, or being able to open a report in a new tab and retain the results, would be really useful!
When using "Search" in Alma Analytics it would be useful to EITHER:
Be able to export the results of the Analytics Search into excel
OR
Be able to click on a search result and for the report to open in a new tab.Currently if you select a report from the search results it opens and you lose the search results page. If it is not the correct report then you have to start the search from scratch again and sometimes the search takes a while.
Having some way of exporting a record of the results - so you can…
24 votes -
Possible to build a workflow into Alma to accomodate third party WCAG compliance?
UK Libraries are monitoring this as individual institutions - could Alma build a workflow to flag electronic resources that meet / are working towards WCAG compliance? If details are stored (Yes/No) and links to URL compliance statements users could then use Analytics to report on progress and perform annual updates with suppliers to meet our responsibilities. Perhaps to save each Institution handling it themselves? https://www.jisc.ac.uk/guides/accessibility-regulations-what-you-need-to-know
2 votes -
Alma collections: Allow to add multiple titles from network zone
We very much appreciate that the idea Alma collections: Allow to add from network zone (https://ideas.exlibrisgroup.com/forums/308173-alma/suggestions/44841430-alma-collections-allow-to-add-from-network-zone), which allows to add NZ records to IZ collections, could be developed. However, we think the usefulness of this feature would be greatly improved if it was possible to add more than one record at a time, for example via sets.
80 votes -
Make Cataloger notes searchable in Alma and/or Analytics.
It would be helpful if the data in the Cataloger notes within bibliographic records were searchable, possibly through Advanced search, keyword search, or even within Analytics. This would allow catalogers to easily gather these notes and organize them for specific resources related to projects that require review.
22 votes -
Allow for Almost Arbitrary Conditions in General Electronic Services
Currently for a general electronic service we can only create conditions based on metadata already contained in the given BIB record. Please provide a way to let the link resolver check any condition which is computable within a reasonable short amount of time!
Example Use Case:
Our library network offers a web service taking any given ISBN, ISSN or Union Catalog ID and returning 'true' if there is a BIB record for the corresponding resource in the union catalog and at least one of the network's libraries has an item of this resource available for ILL. Otherwise the web service returns 'false'. If we were able to let the Alma link resolver check a given ISBN, ISSN or Union Catalog ID against that web service we could offer an ILL service if and only if there is a pretty good chance that there is an item available via ILL.Instead the only general electronic service we can offer currently is a context-insensitive "check whether ILL might be an option" link which resolves to our library network's SFX service menu(!) where an ILL service shows up if and only if there is a pretty good chance that there is an item available via ILL. (Yes, SFX is able to perform such "magic" thanks to so called "plugin thresholds". Their implementation in SFX as an arbitrary local script that evaluates the desired condition does not fit into a cloud environment, of course, but letting a web service evaluate the desired condition and return 'true' or 'false' does.)
Please note that this enhancement request has also been submitted to the CERV portal: https://enhancements.exlibrisusers.org/ideas/AENH-I-36524
Currently for a general electronic service we can only create conditions based on metadata already contained in the given BIB record. Please provide a way to let the link resolver check any condition which is computable within a reasonable short amount of time!
Example Use Case:
Our library network offers a web service taking any given ISBN, ISSN or Union Catalog ID and returning 'true' if there is a BIB record for the corresponding resource in the union catalog and at least one of the network's libraries has an item of this resource available for ILL. Otherwise the web service…71 votes -
Alma Mobile is currently not designed to provide the call number after scanning an item. It will be nice to have the call number displayed
Alma Mobile is currently not designed to provide the call number after scanning an item. It will be nice to have the call number displayed
1 vote -
Add "Send Query to Patron" option to Digitization requests menu
Currently there is not option to ask the patron about a current Digitization request. These requests are often submitted with little or vague information and a way to contact the patron for clarification is needed. The "Send Query to Patron" option for this purpose is included under "the ellipses" for Resource Sharing requests. Why does it not appear for Digitization?
56 votes -
Correct closed fines/fees
Sometimes fines/fees are paid with the wrong fine/fee types or payment method.
We want to be able to correct this information even if the fine/fee has a closed status. This will make accounting and statistical reports more accurate.
We want the same functionality as for blocks.
32 votes -
Display PO Line Notes entries in Analytics with the newest notes first, to ensure their inclusion within the character limit
Currently the 'PO Line Notes' field in the Alma Analytics 'Funds Exchange' subject area, displays the content of all note entries attached to a particular PO Line as a single block of text, starting from the earliest-dated note and ending with the latest-dated note. However, as the field's display in Analytics is limited to 4000 characters, this means that the most recent notes are omitted from the report for any PO Lines that are particularly longstanding or have particularly copious notes. This is true both for the report as displayed within the Analytics interface, and for a version exported to Excel. Applying a formula such as RIGHT() to limit the displayed content to the last characters, is only applied by the system to the already-truncated content, and so does not enable the reporting of the most recent PO Line Notes.
Generally, the most up-to-date and relevant information is likely to be in the most recent PO Line Notes entries. This change would be helpful to make funds-focused reports more useful for a range of purposes. Additionally, a latest-to-earliest ordering of the notes in Analytics would bring this field's display into alignment with how the notes are ordered in the Alma interface, improving usability.
Currently the 'PO Line Notes' field in the Alma Analytics 'Funds Exchange' subject area, displays the content of all note entries attached to a particular PO Line as a single block of text, starting from the earliest-dated note and ending with the latest-dated note. However, as the field's display in Analytics is limited to 4000 characters, this means that the most recent notes are omitted from the report for any PO Lines that are particularly longstanding or have particularly copious notes. This is true both for the report as displayed within the Analytics interface, and for a version exported to…
1 vote -
Any change to a role, or addition of a role, or replacement of a role, should be called out in release notes in a separate (or additional) s
Any change to a role, or addition of a role, or replacement of a role, should be called out in release notes in a separate (or additional) section of the release notes.
The reason for this need: Larger institutions have large numbers of Alma using staff to manage, oftentimes including student workers. It is important for Alma system administrators to have prompt awareness of changes to roles in order to make any necessary changes to staff accounts, profiles, etc. in order to maintain the security and integrity of patron data, cataloging data, norm rules, and the like.
Having changes of these nature given prominence in release notes, rather than buried within sections of a long set of release notes, will assist system administrators with maintaining appropriate access to Alma.
Any change to a role, or addition of a role, or replacement of a role, should be called out in release notes in a separate (or additional) section of the release notes.
The reason for this need: Larger institutions have large numbers of Alma using staff to manage, oftentimes including student workers. It is important for Alma system administrators to have prompt awareness of changes to roles in order to make any necessary changes to staff accounts, profiles, etc. in order to maintain the security and integrity of patron data, cataloging data, norm rules, and the like.
Having changes of…
12 votes -
anonymization for purchase requests
Similar to fulfillment requests, such as loans, digitization requests, or holds, we would like to anonymize purchase requests (ideally as part of the fulfillment job).
There should be options of whether to include approved and/or rejected over a specific age. We understand there might be an issue with purchase requests that take an extended period to complete, so this requires purchase requests to be set to a 'closed' or 'completed' status when physical items are received or electronic inventory is activated. Currently, those statuses do not exist.
From a patron privacy perspective, separating the patron record from the content they are requesting has a significant benefit, particularly for active patrons researching potentially controversial subject areas. Keeping this information in the LSP is potentially hazardous since there is no job to delete purchase requests en masse, either via job or API call.
Similar to fulfillment requests, such as loans, digitization requests, or holds, we would like to anonymize purchase requests (ideally as part of the fulfillment job).
There should be options of whether to include approved and/or rejected over a specific age. We understand there might be an issue with purchase requests that take an extended period to complete, so this requires purchase requests to be set to a 'closed' or 'completed' status when physical items are received or electronic inventory is activated. Currently, those statuses do not exist.
From a patron privacy perspective, separating the patron record from the content they…
3 votes -
Include a web service for renewing all loans at once in the API Users and Fulfilment
At the moment, POST /almaws/v1/users/{userid}/loans/{loanid} must be called individually for each loan. This is very time-consuming, especially in large accounts, and the general API limits must also be observed. It would be conceivable, for example, to introduce the loanid ALL, similar to GET /almaws/v1/bibs/{mmsid}/holdings/{holdingid}/items for the holdingid.
The "Retrieve Items list" has a feature, where ALL can be used for the holdingid parameter to retrieve all items from all holdings. In a similar way we could use POST /users/{userid}/loans/ALL to renew all loans.
Using POST /almaws/v1/users/{user_id}/loans as the most obvious solution is not possible, as this web service is already in use for creating a loan.
At the moment, POST /almaws/v1/users/{userid}/loans/{loanid} must be called individually for each loan. This is very time-consuming, especially in large accounts, and the general API limits must also be observed. It would be conceivable, for example, to introduce the loanid ALL, similar to GET /almaws/v1/bibs/{mmsid}/holdings/{holdingid}/items for the holdingid.
The "Retrieve Items list" has a feature, where ALL can be used for the holdingid parameter to retrieve all items from all holdings. In a similar way we could use POST /users/{userid}/loans/ALL to renew all loans.
Using POST /almaws/v1/users/{user_id}/loans as the most obvious solution is…
1 vote -
Improve search "electronic titles" to include results with and without inventory
At the moment, when using the search "electronic titles" only titles with inventory can be found. Apparently, this is by design. It would be an obvius improvement to be able to find all electronic titles regardless of inventory when using this search.
30 votes -
Configure return (pop-up) notes
Dear,
New Alma UI: when you now return an item that is requested, you get a pop-up with an overload of notes, most of which are not useful and which make you search quite a bit for the information you are actually looking for.
In any case, (see attachment) those last two notes are redundant. The first two are also redundant, but perhaps that second note is useful in case it concerns a lost book and no fine is generated at the time of return.
Can ExLibris allows us to configure the display of these notes? (Similar to the scan-in notes config option...?)Br,
Gijs.Dear,
New Alma UI: when you now return an item that is requested, you get a pop-up with an overload of notes, most of which are not useful and which make you search quite a bit for the information you are actually looking for.
In any case, (see attachment) those last two notes are redundant. The first two are also redundant, but perhaps that second note is useful in case it concerns a lost book and no fine is generated at the time of return.
Can ExLibris allows us to configure the display of these notes? (Similar to the scan-in…15 votes
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