Alma allows libraries to combine innovative AI solutions along with expert cataloging knowledge to easily and efficiently create and enrich bibliographic data.

• Creating MARC 21 English records using information such as the title and/or images of the resource (e.g. back cover, title page, colophon).

• Enriching existing MARC 21 English records for books.

• Giving catalogers an AI assistant that can suggest relevant metadata they can use, such as LC subjects, summary notes, etc.

• Expanding the AI generated metadata suggestions from the library's templates

• Configurable normalization of the AI generated metadata suggestions

Reduce the time and effort a cataloger spends on creating or enriching each bibliographic record.

• Admin is able to disable certain metadata requests at the institution level, reducing the likelihood of certain metadata being generated by the AI

• Admin can define whether to send the AI a summary request, and if so - whether to request a copied and/or generated summary

• Cataloger is able to select what metadata to request the AI to generate (e.g. only request a table of contents enrichment when uploading an image of the table of contents)

• Metadata Editor has a menu action in the  "Editing Actions" menu that opens the authority headings lookup, similar to the F3 keyboard shortcut.

• Catalogers are able to select whether to use the keyboard or menu for linking bibliographic headings to authority records.

• PTC corrects the heading to the preferred term when the preferred and non-preferred terms are in different fields.

• PTC updates the field number of the bibliographic heading in the bibliographic record to match the linked authority record's preferred term.

• The library is able to review these changes in the Authority Control Task List.

Better automated authority updates, keeping the library's catalog up to date, and reducing the need for manual corrections.

By working with normalization rules, the institution is able to manipulate its metadata using XSL, enabling complex transformations with a powerful programming language.

• When creating new normalization rules, the option to use XSL is available.

• By utilizing XSL normalization rules, one can apply complex or advanced logic for metadata normalization and manipulation.

• A new user privilege gives the institution's administrator control over who is granted access to this new functionality.

Using a programming language to manipulate metadata records enables the implementation of complex logic.

Based on the Alma Authority Focus Group (AAFG) feedback, libraries are able to select whether to force subfields to be considered when linking to bibliographic headings.

Bibliographic record fields only link to authority headings if the matching content is in the same subfields.

The linking accurately reflects not only matching content but also matching cataloged subfields.

• Expanding the linked data enrichment process to the cataloging workflow from existing authorities.

• Support adding URIs permanently to the records.

• The process is configurable to match each institution's needs. 

Searching for Linked Open Data Work records and view related information in Alma's catalog.

• It is possible to search for Linked Open Data Work records by the record's metadata.

• The search displays all Instance records linked to the Work record.

The cataloger has a simpler and quicker process for identifying Work records and the Instances linked to them.

Local authorities can be linked to other authorities using VIAF and gain linked data capabilities.

• Adding configurations extract global IDs to map local authorities to VIAF clusters.

• Enhancing linked data functionalities for local authorities, such as displaying info cards and contributor pages and enabling URI enrichment.

Librarians can extract global IDs from local authorities and map to VIAF and experience linked data enhancements.

Based on work and feedback from the Alma Authority Focus Group (AAFG), Alma can control the name portion of the name/title combination so that changes to the authorized form in the name authority record are reflected in the bibliographic heading.

• When a name/title bibliographic heading does not match an authority record, but there is a matching name authority, the heading is partially linked to it.

• When the authorized form of a name changes, the change will be reflected in partially-linked name/title headings.

When working in the MD Editor catalogers are able to open a dialog box and select a special character to enter into the record.

• The Metadata Editor has a dialog box containing special characters, where the operator can select the special character.

• Selecting the special character inserts it where the cursor indicator is when the dialog box was opened.

• The dialog box can be opened using a menu option or a keyboard shortcut.

Cataloging records with special characters is more convenient and efficient.

A new validation process based on the EDTF standard is available for MARC date/time fields.

• A new validation process based on the EDTF standard is available.
• Predefined fields are eligible for applying the new EDTF validation.
• The new validation process can be applied either when saving records or during the matching process.

Catalogers who need the EDTF standard applied to specific date/time fields can now utilize the new validation process for their institution's data.

The Physical Holdings Staff Search was updated with various improvements for better usability, performance, productivity, and overall user experience.

• Ability to configure actions order according to user's preferences.
• Ability to configure sections order according to user's preferences.
• Ability to configure the information visible in search results.
• More information and actions available in items section.

The user can now quickly find holdings and perform actions as needed.

Upload Electronic Holdings from SAGE replaces the manual, multi-step workflow for managing SAGE holdings. 

• Customer-specific electronic holdings for SAGE content are activated automatically.
• The integration runs on a fixed schedule.

Reduces manual work involved in activating and maintaining the library holdings of SAGE electronic resources.

Alma now remembers the user's selected sort routine in the physical items list.

When viewing the items list, the sorting does not default to  Library/Location, but to the last sort routine selected by the user.

The user can easily scan the items list in the sort relevant for their needs, without having to reselect it each time.

Alma now supports COUNTER 5.1 reports in the various usage workflows.

• It is possible to create vendor SUSHI accounts for R5.1.

• Alma harvests the various report types.

• Relevant information is available in Analytics.

Enables institutions to compare and analyze usage data effectively according to the latest COUNTER data release.

The "Update PO lines information - advanced" job now supports changing PO line types across inventory and continuity.

• It is possible to change PO line types from one time to continuous, from physical to electronic, etc.

• It is possible to define how to handle the existing inventory and whether to create new inventory.

The ability to update existing PO lines across inventory and continuity simplifies PO line management and eliminate the need to delete and recreate them for significant changes.

Changes in bibliographic records can be automatically reflected in the corresponding PO lines.

• PO line descriptive information is updated when the corresponding bibliographic record is updated in any workflow.

• This behavior is optional.

Accurate PO line descriptive information eases the management of PO lines.

An updated Conformance Report on the newest compliance with WCAG 2.1 Levels A and AA, covering the current and new layout.

• A new Conformance Report for WCAG 2.1 based on a third-party leading accessibility company audit.
• Update compliance after enhancements. 
• Report on existing exceptions.
• Covers the new layout.

• Transparency regarding accessibility compliance.
• Easier to use by individuals with disabilities.

Users can save multiple combinations of facets under different names on the Manage Sets page. This enhancement simplifies facet management by allowing users to quickly access their preferred facet configurations.

• Save multiple facet combinations with unique names for easy retrieval.
• Access saved facets via the new "Saved" drop-down list. 
• Utilize new "Save" and "Save As" buttons for improved facet management.
• Remove saved facets using the new recycle bin icon.
• Set default facets when saving new combinations using the "Set as Default" checkbox.