Item Process Types in Alma and their definitions
Question
Please provide more information on Physical Item Process Types in Alma and their definitions.
Answer
Alma has two different process types, defined as follows:
- In the item editor, the "process type" field in the middle represents the item's work order type. The staff user can update this field with values taken from - Configuration > General > Work Order Types. This is used when an item is undergoing some kind of library processing or circulation activity.
- The "process type" at the top or right side of the item editor represents the system process status of an item (e.g. loan, hold shelf). The field is automatically updated by Alma according to the current status of the item.
System Process Types
- Acquisition – the item is in the acquisitions or technical services unit
- Claimed Returned – A loaned item that the patron claims they have returned
- Hold Shelf – The item is on hold shelf
- In Process – The item is in a Work Order process
- In Transit to Remote Storage – The item is on the way to remote storage
- Loan item – The item is on loan to a patron
- Lost - The item is lost
- Lost Resource Sharing Item – A Resource Sharing item is lost
- Lost and Paid – The item is lost and the patron has paid the fee
- Missing -The item is missing
- Requested - The item has been requested
- Resource Sharing Request - There is a Resource Sharing request for the item
- Technical - Migration -Migrated items that need some sort of clean-up after migration
- Transit - Item is in transit to a location
- Article last edited: 13-MAR-2026

