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  5. Alma Roadmap Highlights: 2025 - 2026 (Updated August 2025)
  6. UX, Accessibility, Infrastructure & LibOW

UX, Accessibility, Infrastructure & LibOW

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  1. User Experience, Accessibility, Infrastructure & Library Open Workflows
    1. Overview
      1. User Experience
      2. Accessibility
      3. Library Open Workflows (LibOW)
    2. Roadmap
    3. 2025 H2
      1. Main Menu Simplification: Adding Simple Menu View Mode
      2. Menu Search Enhancement: Support 'Similar Terms' Functionality in German Language
      3.   LibOW: Alma API to trigger LibOW workflow 
    4. 2026 H1
      1.   LibOW:  Unlimited Retrieve Bibs Operation
      2.   LibOW:  Consortia Member Can Trigger Network-Level Workflows
      3. Accessibility: Annual Conformance Report (VPAT)
      4. Menu Search Enhancement: Support 'Similar Terms' Functionality in French Language
    5. 2026 H2
      1.   LibOW:  LibOW Usage Analytics in Alma  
      2.   LibOW:  Workflow Execution Tracking 
      3. Add NOT Operator to Advanced Search
      4. Support Catalog Fuzzy Search 
      5. Enhanced Audit Trail: Tracking Staff IDs for Manual Jobs and Key Acquisition Workflows

Return to Alma Roadmap Highlights Overview

User Experience.png

User Experience, Accessibility, Infrastructure & Library Open Workflows

Overview

User Experience

Alma is designed to have a modern and intuitive interface. We aim to allow the user to be efficient and to ensure that workflows are as simple as possible. We also take accessibility into consideration, with the goal of enabling people with disabilities to easily use the software.

Accessibility

At Ex Libris, we make every effort to ensure that Alma can be used by everyone. Alma is designed and developed to meet Level A and AA of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2 AA) and Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act for features and functions. See the Alma Accessibility Statement.

Library Open Workflows (LibOW)

Library Open Workflows (LibOW) is a no/low code tool for automating processes and creating custom integrations via a drag-and-drop interface within Alma. This subscription solution allows Alma users to easily leverage the Library Open Platform capabilities – creating connections between elements like APIs, Webhooks, Cloud apps, Forms, external systems, even AI models and AI agents – without the need for deep coding knowledge or development tools. Roadmap outlines enhancements for improved and seamless integration with Alma. See Developer Network - Library Open Workflows.

Roadmap

2025 H2 2026 H1 2026 H2
  • Main Menu Simplification: Adding Simple Menu View Mode
  • Menu Search Enhancement: Support 'Similar Terms' functionality in German Language
  • LibOW: Alma API to trigger LibOW workflow
  • LibOW: Unlimited Retrieve Bibs Operation
  • LibOW: Consortia Member Can Trigger Network-Level Workflows
  • Accessibility: Annual Conformance Report (VPAT)
  • Menu Search Enhancement: Support 'Similar Terms' Functionality in French Language
  • LibOW:  LibOW Usage Analytics in Alma  
  • LibOW: Workflow Execution Tracking
  • Add NOT Operator to Advanced Search
  • Support Catalog Fuzzy Search 
  • Enhanced Audit Trail: Tracking Staff IDs for Manual Jobs and Key Acquisition Workflows

2025 H2

Main Menu Simplification: Adding Simple Menu View Mode

What’s New Highlights Impact
In addition to the existing main menu, the librarian will have the option to enable a simplified menu view mode and will be able to navigate to entries commonly accessed, and add additional entries by marking it as favorites.
  • A new simplified menu will be implemented by default with the most commonly used entries.
  • Favorites are automatically added to the simplified menu view.
  • An easy access to the full menu when needed.
The menu will be customizable according to your needs, allowing quick access and improved usability focusing merely on the menu entries you actually need, based on your selection.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

Menu Search Enhancement: Support 'Similar Terms' Functionality in German Language

What’s New Highlights Impact
Support "similar terms" functionality in German language.
Search-matching capabilities for non-identical terms in German language.
Note: The additional languages will be coordinated with the relevant Alma user community.
The librarian will be able to find relevant entries in the menu based on a standard term in the same language as the interface language.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

 LibOW Roadmap Logo-Blue.png LibOW: Alma API to trigger LibOW workflow 

What’s New Highlights Impact
Invoke any Library Open Workflow directly via a new Alma REST API endpoint. This enhancement extends LibOW’s integration capabilities by enabling external systems to programmatically trigger complex automation sequences in Alma.
  • Asynchronous Mode: Background workflows execution.
  • Standardized Response: Receives an indication if the workflow had been triggered or not.
  • Error Handling: Detailed error codes and messages returned when invocation fails.
This feature empowers customers to seamlessly integrate LibOW workflows into third party applications and ETL pipelines, reducing manual steps and accelerating end to end automation across library systems.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

2026 H1

 LibOW Roadmap Logo-Blue.png LibOW:  Unlimited Retrieve Bibs Operation

What’s New Highlights Impact
The Retrieve Bibs API via the Alma API node will support handling unlimited number of bibliographic records.
•    Supply any number of IDs in one call.
•    Aggregated results returned as a single dataset.
Simplifies workflows for large scale bibliographic retrieval, eliminating manual batching and boosting developer productivity.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

 LibOW Roadmap Logo-Blue.png LibOW:  Consortia Member Can Trigger Network-Level Workflows

What’s New Highlights Impact
Consortia members will be able to use form-initiated workflows created by LibOW of the Network zone, from within their Alma institution.
  • Central Workflow Publishing: Network institution will create and manage form initiated workflows for members.
  • Cloud App Integration: Workflows list both local and network‑provided workflows for easy selection
  • Permission Controls: Only authorized members’ users can see and execute designated network workflows
  • Unified Execution: Consortia members trigger central workflows without leaving their own Alma environment
  • Audit Logging: All consortia wide workflow runs are tracked in the execution history.
Consortia benefit from centralized workflow expertise, empowers consortium libraries to leverage shared automation, reducing redundant configuration and fostering collaboration, while maintaining clear governance and security across all member institutions.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

Accessibility: Annual Conformance Report (VPAT)

What's New Highlights Impact
An updated Conformance Report on the newest compliance with WCAG 2.2 Levels A and AA, covering the new layout.
  • A new Conformance Report for WCAG 2.2 AA 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.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

Menu Search Enhancement: Support 'Similar Terms' Functionality in French Language

What’s New Highlights Impact
Support "similar terms" functionality in French language.
Search-matching capabilities for non-identical terms in French language.
Note: The additional languages will be coordinated with the relevant Alma user community.
The librarian will be able to find relevant entries in the menu based on a standard term in the same language as the interface language.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

 

2026 H2

 LibOW Roadmap Logo-Blue.png LibOW:  LibOW Usage Analytics in Alma  

What’s New Highlights Impact

A new subject area in Alma Analytics will provides reporting on Library Open Workflow usage, enabling insights into frequency, operators, and efficiency metrics.

  • Filter and group data by department, workflow type, or time period

  • Combine LibOW metrics with other Alma data for integrated reporting

This enhancement allows institutions to evaluate the impact of workflow automation, demonstrate time savings, and support data-driven operational decisions.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

 LibOW Roadmap Logo-Blue.png LibOW:  Workflow Execution Tracking 

What’s New Highlights Impact

A new monitoring interface will provide real-time visibility into all Library Open Workflow executions. Each run will be logged with user attribution, timestamps, and status.

  • View detailed execution history for each workflow

  • Includes initiating user ID (where applicable)

  • Filter by workflow name, status, and date range

  • Exportable logs for audit or analysis purposes

 

Customers will gain transparency into workflow usage, enabling easier debugging, auditing, and tracking of automation patterns over time.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

Add NOT Operator to Advanced Search

CERV CERV Enhancement (ID #36492)

What’s New Highlights Impact

Libraries will be able to exclude a group of search conditions using the NOT operator in Advanced Search.

  • Enables group-level Boolean logic, allowing entire groups of conditions to be excluded with a single toggle.

  • New UI elements will indicate when groups are excluded, with easy toggle controls.

Provides more accurate search results with less effort, especially for complex queries.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

Support Catalog Fuzzy Search 

CERV CERV Enhancement (ID #36332)

What’s New Highlights Impact

The Basic Search will be able to offer fuzzy search suggestions using a “Did you mean?” feature.

  • The system will automatically detect likely typos and propose corrected terms to the user.

  • Suggestions will be linguistically appropriate, aligned with the interface language.

  • Users will be able to dismiss the “Did You Mean?” suggestion and proceed with their original search.

Enhances search accuracy and user experience by reducing failed searches, supporting multilingual environments, and allowing flexible configuration.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

Enhanced Audit Trail: Tracking Staff IDs for Manual Jobs and Key Acquisition Workflows

CERV CERV Enhancement (ID #36485)

What’s New Highlights Impact

Alma will now capture and display the Primary ID of the staff member who initiates manual jobs and selected acquisition workflows (Initiating packaging
and sending POLs ), replacing the generic “System” attribution.

  • Manual jobs record initiating user’s Primary ID in audit fields (“Created by,” “Modified by,” “Updated by”).

  • Packaging and POL sending workflows attribute actions to the staff Primary ID.

  • Exact details scoped to manual and acquisition workflows for reliable delivery.

Customers gain precise workload metrics for rostering and trend analysis, and can rapidly contact the responsible staff for troubleshooting, improving operational efficiency and support responsiveness.

back to User Experience & Accessibility Roadmap

 
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