Network Related Limits
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This page describes network-related limits, including network loan and request limits. A related concept is consortial blocks, which are user blocks in a fulfillment network that are copied from a source institution, or from another target institution, to a target institution when their linked account is created or refreshed. For more information on using and configuring consortial blocks, see Configuring User Blocks.
(New for August 2026)
Networks can define fulfillment limits at the network level, enabling consistent policies across all member institutions. For example, a user group can be restricted to a maximum of 10 concurrent loans across the entire network. This enables libraries to enforce tighter, centralized consortial policies.
This behavior is controlled by the network_patron_limits_enabled parameter (Configuration > Fulfillment > General > Other Settings).
Overriding network limit blocks is based on the Block Preferences table.
Network Loan Limits
You can access this page from Configuration > Fulfillment > Network Loan Related Limits. This page sets loan-related limits per user group.
The following are checked:
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Maximum cash (fees)
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Maximum overdue loans
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Maximum overdue recalls
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Maximum loans
Below is a sample loan cash limit:
When the limit (Max) is exceeded, Alma triggers a block that is handled according to the Block Preferences settings (see Configuring Loans).
Network Request Limits
You can access this page from Configuration > Fulfillment > Network Request Related Limits. This page sets request-related limits per user group.
The following are checked:
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Maximum bookings
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Maximum digitization requests
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Maximum physical item requests
When the limit (Max) is exceeded, Alma triggers a block that is handled according to the Block Preferences settings (see Configuring Loans).
