Performance

The first pillar of a good user experience is greater performance. As part of moving to the new Repository Search, Ex Libris has invested in a major technology improvement which results in a significant improvement in the performance of the UI.

Details display gradually

• Dividing the information on the page into different parts
• Loading information according to priority (Lazy Loading)
• Displaying information according to the user's needs

More control over filtering

• Advanced search powered by a query builder

The new advanced search will provide the user with an easier way of building complex nested queries together with a modern and accessible UI. It will utilize a new query builder which will allow for creating nested logical conditions of 'And', 'Or'. 

• Facets with multiple values

There are use cases where a staff user would like to look jointly at several groups of data. For example, looking at Holdings from four different libraries. The new facet option will allow the staff user to choose more than one value for each facet. 

• Searching in facet values

In large searches, there may be many facet values to scan through to get to the one needed - searching within the facet values allows the staff user to easily locate the facet to be applied.

• Save facets

Some staff members work largely with a sub-section of materials in the library - instead of re-applying the facets they need to narrow searches to suit their needs, they will be able to save their faceting so it will apply to all their future searches. This saved facet can be easily changed or cleared when no longer relevant.

Repetitive tasks using bulk operations

There might be situations where a user would like to perform the same operation on several resources; for example, suppressing specific resources.  Using checkboxes and predefined operations will allow performing such updates efficiently. In the new search UX, users can run jobs and create itemized sets directly from the search.

More information a click away

We are aiming to keep the user in context and reduce the need to 'leave' the screen to check for information or to perform other tasks. It will be possible to switch between different views, selecting the view most convenient for the user and the task being performed:

• List View 
• Split View 
• Full Page View
• Table View

When in Split or Full Page View the user will be able to see more information and perform certain actions. The side pane is divided into sections that can be navigated through easily. The sections can be collapsed and the user can choose to show or hide specific sections. 

The user will be able to navigate easily from record to record in split view or full page view by using previous and next arrows

Quick Editing and Actions

It will be possible to easily perform commonly used actions directly from the details pane, both at the title level and for its inventory.

Keep in context

There are situations in which the user would like to review resources and perform a complex operation. This ability to perform an operation but still keep the context of the list of resources is possible by using a sliding pane. The user will be able to perform the relevant operation and then come back to the list of resources. 

Titles Search

Metadata

Management

The title searches allow a staff user to find titles according to search criteria. There are 4 types of title searches in Alma: All Titles, where searchable fields are based on metadata that is common to all resources but does not include fields that are specific to physical, electronic, or digital inventory, as well as Physical Titles, Electronic Titles and Digital Title searches, that search only titles with a specific type of inventory and support searching not just by title metadata but by inventory information.The title searches have been updated and redesigned for better usability, performance, productivity, and overall user experience using the new UI concepts of side by side and slide out, additionally users have the ability to:

• Use multi-value selection facets​
• Perform cross-page bulk operation​s
• Stay in context while working
• Customize actions and presentation of sections

The new UI for title searches will become the default UI for all Alma users.

Physical Resource Search

Physical Resource

Management

Physical resources are organized by using metadata to describe the physical title with physical holdings including all items grouped together under the same holding record. Resources can include books, serials, and maps, among others.

All physical resource searches will be enhanced with the new UI concepts:

• Physical Titles Search - provides information on the titles of physical resources with the ability to access information on holdings and items. The new UI of the Physical Titles search is available in Alma, and will become the default UI for all Alma users.

• Physical Holdings Search - provides information on physical holdings with the ability to drill down to the item list. The Physical Holdings Search was designed in the new UX, but will be enhanced further based on the new UI concepts described above.

• Physical Items Search - provides information on physical items with all relevant details on item location and availability. For more information on UI roadmap plans for the Physical Items search, see: Physical Items Staff Search – Early Access to Enhanced UX

Electronic Resource Search

Electronic Resource

Management

Electronic staff search results show the library's owned/subscribed electronic resource organized as electronic collections or standalone portfolios. Electronic Resources can include electronic collections of mixed material (journals/books/videos/mixed), databases, standalone journals or books.  These resources are represented as portfolios.

All Electronic resource searches will be enhanced with the new UI concepts:

• Electronic Titles Search - provides information on the titles of electronic resources with the ability to get information on electronic collections, services and portfolios. The new UI of the Electronic Titles search is available in Alma, and will become the default UI for all Alma users.

• Electronic Collections Search - provides information on electronic collections with the ability to drill down to the electronic collection portfolio list.

• Electronic Portfolios Search - provides information on electronic portfolios with relevant information from the electronic collection it is part of, when relevant.

Digital Resource Search

Digital Resource
Management

Digital resources are organized using metadata to describe the digital titles containing representations of the titles. Each representation contains digital files representing either digitized books or born-digital material, in any digital format. Access can be controlled according to defined access right policies.

All digital resource searches will be enhanced with the new UI concepts:

• Digital Titles Search - Provides information on the titles of digital resources with the ability to perform various actions such as delivery via embedded viewers and drill down to the representations list. The new UI of the Digital Titles search is available in Alma, and will become the default UI for all Alma users.

• Digital Representations Search (Roadmap) - Provides information on digital representations with the ability to perform various actions such as delivery and drill down to the files list.

• Digital Files Search - Provides information on digital files with all relevant details on the specific resources with the ability to perform actions such as delivery, download and more.

Authority Search

Metadata

Management

This search allows a staff user to find authority records according to search criteria. The searchable fields are based on metadata. It allows the staff user to find existing authority records and edit them when necessary.