Broker-Based Resource Sharing
This page describes the workflow for broker based resource sharing from creation of the borrowing request through to returning the item to the lender. For more information on the various workflows for resource sharing, including broker and peer to peer based, managing resource sharing partners, borrowing/lending requests and contributing to the resource sharing directory, see Resource Sharing.
Broker-Based Resource Sharing - Borrowing
The broker-borrowing workflow diagram describes the entire borrowing workflow, including steps that take place entirely in the broker system. Those steps that take place in the broker system are shaded blue.
For additional details on the broker-based protocols of NCIP, Libris, and SLNP, as well as their integration with resource-sharing requests, see the Developer Network.
For details on the configuration settings that must be implemented in Alma in order to enable integration with the broker, see Configuring Alma/Broker Integration.
Borrowing-Request Creation
This section refers to steps 1-4 of the broker borrowing workflow diagram.
This section describes a sample workflow for submitting resource-sharing requests using a broker.
The requesting patron submits a resource-sharing request to a broker in one of the following ways:
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Using Primo, PC, or any OpenURL-enabled system, such as Google Scholar (with complete metadata), or using the citation linker (with incomplete metadata): The request is then sent to and accepted by the broker.
Selecting a broker link transfers the patron out of Primo and directly to the broker system.
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Using the broker's system directly: You log in in order to perform a search and submit a request.
On initial request submission, the broker updates the request status to Document Received. Most broker systems do not notify Alma about the request at this point, but rather at the time of item receipt. Following the request submission, the broker system handles the rota management and sending the request to the lending institution.
Receiving Items
This section refers to step 5 of the broker borrowing workflow diagram.
The actual receiving process is carried out in the broker system. The broker system then sends an AcceptItem message to Alma.
- For a physical request, the broker confirms that a brief bibliographic and item record is created in Alma, and a resource-sharing borrowing request and internal hold request are created for the patron.
- For a digital request, the request is created in a digital format. Based on the broker configuration for the automatic-receive parameter, it may be marked as completed when the request is created.
For more information about digital document delivery of resource sharing requests, see the More Information About Digital Fulfillment of Resource Sharing Requests video (18:43 mins).
Actions are taken on the received messages. Please refer to the Developer Network for a detailed description of how Alma identifies these messages as related to requests for digital supply:
Manage Loan
This section refers to step 6 of the broker borrowing workflow diagram.
Once a requested item has been received, it is handled as any regular fulfillment item. It is added to the standard hold-shelf item list and appears on the active hold shelf or expired task lists. The patron loan will be executed through the patron services workbench. For a digital request, if the automatic receive parameter in the broker configuration is set to no, the staff manually flags a receive action for this request.
The item return may also be done through the patron services workbench or the Return Items interface
Recall/Renew Items
This section refers to step 7 of the broker borrowing workflow diagram.
For loan renewal, a RenewItem message is sent to the broker, which then notifies the lender that a renewal has been requested. When the lending institution responds to the broker to either approve or reject the request, the broker returns the message to Alma with the lender's response.
For loan recall, if a lending institution issues a recall, the broker will send a RecallItem message to Alma.
For more information about renewals in a broker system, see the More Information About Resource Sharing Broker Renewals video (17:02 mins).
For more information about recalls in a broker system, see the More Information About Resource Sharing Broker Recalls video (13:15 mins).
Note that allowing renewals for resource sharing items depends on the Workflow Profile that has been set up for the broker partner record. The following actions affect how a renew request can be handled for a resource sharing request:
- Patron renewal
- Staff renewal
- Manual renew
- Renewal response
For more information on Workflow Profiles, see Resource Sharing Configurations.
Return Item to Lender
This section refers to step 8 of the broker borrowing workflow diagram.
The return process is controlled by the broker system. The broker sends a CheckinItem message to Alma. This message triggers Alma to close out the request and delete the temporary items that were previously created. The temporary items are:
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A temporary BIB record, which is automatically suppressed
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A temporary holding
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A temporary item
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A hold request linked to the temporary item
For a broker borrowing demo, see the More information About Broker Resource Sharing (Borrower Demo) video (25:35 mins).
Broker-Based Resource Sharing - Lending
The checkout process starts when the request is submitted to the broker and a lender is assigned the request. The lending library receives the new request, and the operator at the lending library starts the checkout process described below. Digital and physical workflows are supported in this process.
Actions are taken on the received messages. Please refer to the Developer Network for a detailed description of how Alma identifies these messages as related to requests for digital supply:
The process of fulfilling a lending request occurs at the lending library after a resource-sharing request has been created. The following is a detailed description of the steps of the resource-checkout workflow when a resource-sharing request is submitted by a broker, including steps that take place in the broker system:
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The broker updates the request status to Document Received.
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The broker may send a RequestItem message to Alma.
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A pick slip may be generated from either the broker system or from Alma. If the pick slip is generated in Alma, a move request is also created. The item then follows a standard fulfillment lifecycle for pickup at shelf, scanning items, and shipping items.
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The broker sends a CheckOutItem message to Alma. For a physical request, the broker confirms that the item is checked out in Alma. For a digital request, the request will be marked completed as long as Receive Digitally is not marked in the Workflow Profile. This action is equivalent to a shipping action (see Shipping Items).For more information about digital document delivery of resource-sharing requests, see the More Information About Digital Fulfillment of Resource Sharing Requests video (18:43 mins).
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For renewal:
- When the borrower requests a renewal, a RenewItem message is sent from Alma to the borrowing broker. The message includes item information and the desired due date and is sent for all NCIP system types. You must configure the Broker System NCIP URL in the partner record to successfully send this message (see NCIP Parameters).
- The lending broker sends a message to Alma, where the lending request is either approved or rejected.
- When the broker on the borrower side receives an approval of the renewal request, Alma is notified with the RenewItem NCIP message.
For more information about renewals in a broker system, see the More Information About Resource Sharing Broker Renewals video (17:02 mins).
For recall:- If a shipped item is requested by a local patron, the recall is issued from the lending institution's Alma to its broker system. The RecallItem message is sent to the lending broker.
- The lending broker notifies the requesting institution that an item has been recalled.
For more information about recalls in a broker system, see the More Information About Resource Sharing Broker Recalls video (13:15 mins).
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An operator at the borrowing library receives the checked-out item from the patron for check in and ships it back to the lending library. The broker’s loan tracking updates the request status to Returned.
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The broker sends a CheckInItem message to Alma. The broker confirms that the item has been checked in to Alma. In Alma, the lending request is marked as Completed, and the loan’s status is marked as Released.
For a broker lending demo, see the More information About Broker Resource Sharing (Lender Demo) video (17:38 mins).