Alma 2019 Release Notes
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As many of you already know, Alma development periodically needs to take a "back seat," and maintenance, cloud infrastructure, and other important tasks need to be handled in order to ensure that Alma meets the highest standards of performance and high availability. The May 2019 release is devoted to such tasks.
We'd also like to take this opportunity to update you on the following:
NERS Updates
The following is an overview of NERS Enhancements that have already been implemented or will be implemented in the coming months.
NERS Enhancement (ID # 4787): Staff search results for portfolios in the Community Zone will include the availability (active/not active) status of the electronic collection in the Institution Zone or the Network Zone, in case of a consortia.Delivery: June 2019 release
NERS Enhancement (ID # 5730): New options will be offered for letter configuration management to increase efficiency, including a Preview Letters option.Delivery: Early access in June 2019 for NERS representatives
NERS Enhancement (ID # 5746): New options will be added for better control of printing letters, including:
- Associating multiple printers to a department/circulation desk. Delivery: January 2019 release.
- Online print queues, which allows reports to be maintained on the platform. Delivery: Early access for NERS representatives in the June 2019 release.
- Automatic printing through the browser. This is an additional development that was not part of the original NERS enhancement. Delivery: Early access for NERS representatives in Q3 2019.
NERS Enhancement (ID # 5659): Resource Sharing requests will include an option to revert the request back to its prior request status.Delivery: Early access for NERS representatives in the June 2019 release.
DARA
DARA (Data Analysis Recommendation Assistant) was introduced as part of the March release. It attracted wide attention and interest on the part of the Alma community.
Statistics show that for more than 300 institutions at least one recommendation was generated. ~72% of the recommendations were for loading SUSHI, and ~27% were recommendations for automating manual workflows. More than 100 of these recommendations were implemented.
Switching SAML Certificates
The original SAML Signed Certificate will expire in October. Replace the certificate for Alma and/or Primo VE, as determined by your institution's IT department. If replacing the certificate, this must be done in coordination with your IDP. For more information, please see Replacing a Signed Certificate.
Upcoming Issues of Note
- In July, the GET bibliographic record API and the SRU API will return calculated summary information in the AVA field $$v instead of $$h.
Alma Statistics (as of April 1, 2019)
- We have more than 1.2 billion bibliographic records across all regions.
- Over 1.7 billion API calls in the last three months, with the following top three regions:
- EU – 766+ million
- APAC – 498+ million
- NA – 444+ million
- More than 93 million loans across all regions.
- More than 6 million requests across all regions.
Idea Exchange Statistics
- 76 ideas have a Planned status.
- 170 ideas have already been completed.
- Approximately 300 people interacted with Alma on Idea Exchange in the last 30 days.
What's New Videos
- There are 950+ subscribers to Alma’s What’s New Videos.
- The current top video, Add SUSHI Account to Vendor via Search, has about 660 views.
- The Improved Feedback Messages video has about 570 views.
- The Check Availability and Pricing at Select External Vendors video has about 440 views.
Stay Tuned and Watch This Space!
Ex Libris and the Alma Product Working Group are in the process of testing a great new initiative for giving easy access to known issues in Alma. Plans are to release this to the wider Alma community in the coming months.
The Alma Development team is in the process of a major infrastructure update to a next generation business intelligence analytics tool. More details will be available soon.
Make the Most of January's Release
| Action Items |
|---|
| Note Field Added to the Primo Purchase Request – If you enable patrons to place purchase requests directly from Primo, you will be glad to know that you can now set up their request forms so they can add additional information in a note field on the Primo request form. |
| Delete Interested Users in Closed PO Lines – You can now manage privacy concerns more efficiently by setting up Alma to detach interested users from PO lines that have been closed or canceled. |
| Support Streaming Video and Audio for Alma Viewer – This major milestone will provide patrons with an advanced viewing experience whereby video or audio content can be streamed using adaptive bitrate streaming, and video files that can’t be rendered by the browser to MPEG-4 can be converted. |
| Block File Download – This feature will provide you with further flexibility in controlling access rights to your content by providing basic access to content, but without the ability to download or print. |
| Support Excel as an Alma Digital Import Physical Source Format – You are now provided with an additional efficient method for importing metadata for digital content into Alma. |
 Idea Exchange: Display Logic Rule Enhancements – Do you need to hide the CCC Get It Now services from patrons when any other full text service is available? Take advantage of the new display logic enhancements to create the following display logic rule: Hide service Full Text with Interface with value CCC Get It Now if exists service Full Text |
| NERS Enhancement (ID #5746): Multiple Printers for Circulation Desks and Work Order Departments – Circulation desks can now be easily set up with multiple printers. When connecting to the circulation desk, users are then able to choose the desk’s printer that they would like to use. |
| Idea Exchange: Process Type for Lost and Paid – If you would like lost items to be removed from the patron loans list as soon as the full lost item charges are paid, you can now do so. |
For information on Primo VE new release features, see the Primo VE January 2019 Release Notes.
Publishing to PubMed – Changes to FTP Configuration
Last month we announced that as a result of discussions with PubMed and at PubMed's request, the publishing to PubMed process will be modified to use a default FTP configuration configured by Ex Libris in conjunction with PubMed. Although this change was carefully tested end to end by Ex Libris and PubMed, it will not take place with the January release as previously announced, but rather later in the year. As we get closer to its release, we will provide pre-release instructions in the monthly release notes.
Widgets for Analytics Reports
Due to technical limitations, Ex Libris decided to block the option to configure out-of-the-box reports (in the Alma directory of the OBI) as Analytics object widgets as of the Alma February 2019 release. Analytics objects of type Widget, Report, and Scheduled report will need to be defined from the Analytics institutional directory and not from the Alma directory. For information on copying your out-of-the-box reports to your Analytics institutional directory, see the Widgets for Analytics Reports knowledge article.
Transport Layer Security (TLS) Support
TLS is a cryptographic protocol that provides authentication and data encryption between different endpoints (for example, the user’s desktop and the application server). Various vulnerabilities (such as POODLE and DROWN) have been found in TLS versions 1.0 and 1.1 in recent years.
To avoid security vulnerabilities and to align with industry standards, Ex Libris is removing its support for TLS 1.0 and 1.1 in both Alma and Primo. This will occur on all sandbox environments as of the March release (February 17th, 2019) and on all production environments as of the May release (May 5th, 2019). Effective May 6, 2019, Ex Libris will support only TLS 1.2 or later.
You can find additional information on TLS at:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_Layer_Security
- https://www.thesslstore.com/blog/apple-microsoft-google-disable-tls-1-0-tls-1-1/
- https://www.zdnet.com/article/chrome-edge-ie-firefox-and-safari-to-disable-tls-1-0-and-tls-1-1-in-2020/
- https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2018/10/15/removing-old-versions-of-tls/
The Content Operations release notes are now located here.
Main Features
DARA Now Identifies Digital Files Requiring Conversion
December 2019 DARA URM-107005
DARA identifies when you have files that are incompatible with HTML5 formats and cannot be viewed using native viewers in Alma. DARA recommends that you run the Media Conversion job on files of formats wmv, avi, m4v or mp4v and convert them to MPEG-4 or HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) formats.
DARA identifies when you have files that are incompatible with HTML5 formats and cannot be viewed using native viewers in Alma. DARA recommends that you run the Media Conversion job on files of formats wmv, avi, m4v or mp4v and convert them to MPEG-4 or HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) formats.
For more information, see DARA – Data Analysis Recommendation Assistant.
License Distribution Enhancements
December 2019 Acquisitions / Collaborative Networks URM-100825
When a Network Zone institution shares a license with its member institutions, in addition to the information from the Summary and License Terms tab being copied to the members, the Network Zone institution can now select options to share the information found on the Notes and Attachments tabs. The Network Zone institution can choose to share one or both of these in the new Distribution section of the License Details page. When Notes or Attachments information has been shared to the member institutions, if the Network Zone institution edits the Distribution fields and removes one or both options, the data that was previously copied to the member institution is retained. Additionally, any changes made by the Network Zone institution will be reflected in the member institution's History tab.
When a Network Zone institution shares a license with its member institutions, in addition to the information from the Summary and License Terms tab being copied to the members, the Network Zone institution can now select options to share the information found on the Notes and Attachments tabs. The Network Zone institution can choose to share one or both of these in the new Distribution section of the License Details page. When Notes or Attachments information has been shared to the member institutions, if the Network Zone institution edits the Distribution fields and removes one or both options, the data that was previously copied to the member institution is retained. Additionally, any changes made by the Network Zone institution will be reflected in the member institution's History tab.
For shared licenses, member institutions can now view the license but not edit it.
For more information, see Distributing Centrally Managed Licenses.
PO Line Reclaims
December 2019 Acquisitions URM-117673
A field is now available on the PO Line Details and Vendor Account Details pages to establish a defined interval for resending a claim. When the Reclaim Interval (days) field is populated in the PO Line Details, Alma will send reclaim letters at the defined interval after the initial claim letter is sent. If the field is not populated, the previous behavior continues and a reclaim letter will not be sent. When this field is populated on the Vendor Account Details page it is copied to the corresponding field in the PO line page when the specific vendor account is selected, any change on the Reclaim Interval (days) field in the PO line details page will take effect and will be the actual value, this is consistent with other fields which are copied from the vendor account upon creation of a PO line.
Watch the PO Line Reclaims video (1:22 minutes).
Top Trending Book Dashboard Widget
December 2019 Resource Management URM-107214
A new Top Trending Book dashboard widget presents a list of the top 10 physical and electronic books that have been added to library's collections within various Alma institutions (on average) as an indication of trends around the libraries. The widget can be fine-tuned in order to present specific classifications taken from the library of congress. In case one of the trending titles is part of your institution's collection, the widget will provide indication and direct you to it.
A new Top Trending Book dashboard widget presents a list of the top 10 physical and electronic books that have been added to library's collections within various Alma institutions (on average) as an indication of trends around the libraries. The widget can be fine-tuned in order to present specific classifications taken from the library of congress. In case one of the trending titles is part of your institution's collection, the widget will provide indication and direct you to it.
This widget is available for users whose institutions enable the option to contribute their library's inventory information using the Selection and Collection Development tool which is available within the Data Sharing Profile configuration page.
For more information, see Managing Widgets.
Portfolio-Level Facets, Sorting, Filters, and Display Options
December 2019 Resource Management Idea Exchange URM-94973
New facets, additional sorting options, filters, and display options were added for portfolio-level search results.
Idea Exchange URM-94973New facets, additional sorting options, filters, and display options were added for portfolio-level search results.
The new Availability (Electronic Portfolio) facet now appears with the portfolio search results.
Availability (Electronic Portfolio)
The new Available For facet appears with portfolio-level results and shows the campus or library names for available portfolios when the institution is configured for distributed access to electronic resources. For Network Zone member institutions, there is also now an Available For facet that shows the member institution names at the portfolio level.
The Title - Asc and Title - Desc Sort by options now appear for the portfolio search results.
When viewing results on the Portfolio List page, you can now search within the list using ISBN, ISSN, or Title.
Search by ISBN, ISSN, or Title
The following fields were added to the configurable display of portfolio-level search results: ISBN, ISBN (13), ISSN, Coverage (label change from Threshold), Perpetual Coverage, Access Type (as defined for the portfolio or the inherited value), Electronic Material Type, Notes, and Related Portfolios.
In the Other details tab, the Licenses name and the PDA name appears instead of a number that previously appeared for these details.
Licenses and PDA Names
For portfolios that have notes (
) or related portfolios (
), the search results present new indication icons. (Note that, in the next release, the Notes icon can be selected and direct you to the Notes tab in the Electronic Portfolio Editor.)
) or related portfolios (), the search results present new indication icons. (Note that, in the next release, the Notes icon can be selected and direct you to the Notes tab in the Electronic Portfolio Editor.)
Notes and Related Portfolios Icons
See Searching in Alma and Managing Electronic Resources for more information.
Other System Number Export
December 2019 Resource Management URM-74759
When you run the Export Physical Items job, the file created from the export now includes the 035 $a contents in the column labeled Other System Number. See Export Physical Items for more information.
When you run the Export Physical Items job, the file created from the export now includes the 035 $a contents in the column labeled Other System Number. See Export Physical Items for more information.
Validation for ISBN, ISSN, ISMN, IAN, and UPC
December 2019 Resource Management SF: 00645609 00109727 URM-3793
You can now configure validation in specific fields/subfields for ISBNs, ISSNs, ISMNs, IANs, and UPCs. See Editing Validation Processes for more information.
You can now configure validation in specific fields/subfields for ISBNs, ISSNs, ISMNs, IANs, and UPCs. See Editing Validation Processes for more information.
DANMARC to MARC 21 Import
December 2019 Resource Management URM-112938
When importing DANMARC bibliographic records, there is now the option to crosswalk them to the MARC 21 bibliographic format. See Source Format in the Import Profile Details - Profile Details Fields table in the Creating/Editing an Import Profile: General Profile Information section.
When importing DANMARC bibliographic records, there is now the option to crosswalk them to the MARC 21 bibliographic format. See Source Format in the Import Profile Details - Profile Details Fields table in the Creating/Editing an Import Profile: General Profile Information section.
Authentication for SRU/SRW Search Queries
December 2019 Resource Management URM-115680
You can now set up authentication in the SRU Server integration profile so that a user name and password are required for SRU/SRW search queries. See Configuring an SRU Server Type Integration Profile for more information.
You can now set up authentication in the SRU Server integration profile so that a user name and password are required for SRU/SRW search queries. See Configuring an SRU Server Type Integration Profile for more information.
Community Zone Set Management
December 2019 Resource Management SF: 00473431 URM-111884
Several new options are available that expand set management capabilities into the Community Zone. This includes:
Several new options are available that expand set management capabilities into the Community Zone. This includes:
- Creating logical sets of bibliographic or authority records (Save Query) from Community Zone search results
- Itemizing a set of Community Zone records.
- Combining sets of Community Zone records.
- Cataloging a set of Community Zone records (available for bibliographic records, initially, and authority records in a future release).
- Filtering a set of Community Zone bibliographic records
Later releases will allow the ability to export the set of Community Zone records.
See Managing Search Queries and Sets for more information.
Semi-Annual Reindexing
December 2019 Resource Management SF: 00629205 00668335 00640843 URM-114996
During December, the semi-annual reindexing (described in greater detail in Updates) will be run. Features or resolved issues that require reindexing to be fully functional will be addressed by the December semi-annual reindexing. See the list below.
During December, the semi-annual reindexing (described in greater detail in Updates) will be run. Features or resolved issues that require reindexing to be fully functional will be addressed by the December semi-annual reindexing. See the list below.
- UNIMARC / CNMARC Repository Search Results Display.
- The UNIMARC 607 subfields a, j, and x-z are now searchable under the Subjects general index. Note that when the 607 $2 has the text lc, it is also searchable under the Subjects (LC) index (previously existing functionality).
- For the UNIMARC field 452 (Other Edition in Another Medium), the ISSN cataloged in subfield $x and ISBN cataloged in subfield $y are searchable under the ISSN and ISBN indexes respectively, in addition to the Keywords index.
New Suppress from Discovery Jobs for DC and MODS Record Formats
December 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-109925
The following jobs are now available (Admin > Run a Job) to suppress from discovery bibliographic records in DC and MODS formats:
The following jobs are now available (Admin > Run a Job) to suppress from discovery bibliographic records in DC and MODS formats:
- Suppress Bib records from discovery - DC
- Suppress Bib records from discovery - DCAP01
- Suppress Bib records from discovery - DCAP02
- Suppress Bib records from discovery - MODS
For more information, see Running Manual Jobs on Defined Sets.
Upload Files to Digital Representations from S3
December 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-112259
The Add Digital Representations flow now provides an option to upload digital files directly to Amazon S3 storage, with no size limitations. To support this feature, the Folder option is now available on the Representation Details page. To upload the file, select Folder and enter the location of the file.
The Add Digital Representations flow now provides an option to upload digital files directly to Amazon S3 storage, with no size limitations. To support this feature, the Folder option is now available on the Representation Details page. To upload the file, select Folder and enter the location of the file.
Upload From S3 Folder
For more information, see Adding a Representation.
For more information on uploading a file to S3, see the Developer's Network.
Full-Text Extraction Now Supported for Additional Formats
December 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-113105
Alma now supports full-text extraction for the following additional file formats:
Alma now supports full-text extraction for the following additional file formats:
- Office
- OpenDocument
- text/* mime types (strip text/html)
- Epub
- RTF
- XML
For more information, see Editing Representation Metadata and Content.
Loan Statistics in Physical Title Search Results
December 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange URM-108108
In the Other Details tab of physical title and all title search results, the following new loan statistics are available:
Idea Exchange URM-108108In the Other Details tab of physical title and all title search results, the following new loan statistics are available:
- Number of loans
- Number of in house use
- Year-to-date loans
- Last in house use date
- Last Loan Date
The statistics are not available for migrated loans if the title has more than 1,000 items.
Watch the Loan Statistics in Physical Title Search Results video (0:43 minutes).
For more information, see Viewing Inventory/Other Details.
Generate Performance Tracking File
December 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-115056
There is now an option to generate a performance tracking file. If Alma has performance issues such as long search times, select the Help icon and then select Generate Performance Tracking File to download a data file. Open a support issue and attach the file to the issue. The information in the file can help the support team resolve the issue.
There is now an option to generate a performance tracking file. If Alma has performance issues such as long search times, select the Help icon and then select Generate Performance Tracking File to download a data file. Open a support issue and attach the file to the issue. The information in the file can help the support team resolve the issue.
Generate the tracking file immediately after experiencing the performance issue, before doing any other action.
Generate Performance Tracking File
Cloud Passwords
December 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-114972
In January 2020, Ex Libris will be removing all passwords from the Alma database. This is the next step of the move to Ex Libris Identity Service which started in January 2019. See the Ex Libris Identity Service in the Developer Network.
In January 2020, Ex Libris will be removing all passwords from the Alma database. This is the next step of the move to Ex Libris Identity Service which started in January 2019. See the Ex Libris Identity Service in the Developer Network.
This will only affect users that have not logged in since the beginning of 2019. However, if you have Primo/PDS which hasn't been upgraded for some time, there could be active users which still have passwords in the Alma database. This will only be users whose passwords are not strong enough to be written into the Identity Service automatically.
Institutions that want to prepare for the upcoming password removal can do one of the following:
- Add a "forgot password" link to Primo which will be useful also for users without password. See the Knowledge Article, How to add a 'Forgot My Password' link to the login page in the new UI when using Alma for authentication.
- Create a list of the relevant users using an Analytics report and send them an email using the Update/Notify Users job (with a link to page where they can create a new password). See Editing/Messaging Users in Bulk.
- Do nothing. The patrons who cannot login will approach a librarian who will set a new password for them.
Merge Patrons
December 2019 Administration and Infrastructure Idea Exchange URM-117602
A user with appropriate privileges can now merge one patron record into another patron record. You can select which segments to merge (contacts, identifiers, notes, blocks, demerits, statistics, attachments and proxy for). All fulfillment activities are merged (loans, requests, fines/fees and interested users) to the new user as well as purchase requests and user data from Primo VE and Leganto. Esploro users cannot be merged. To enable this feature, contact Ex Libris customer support.
Idea Exchange URM-117602A user with appropriate privileges can now merge one patron record into another patron record. You can select which segments to merge (contacts, identifiers, notes, blocks, demerits, statistics, attachments and proxy for). All fulfillment activities are merged (loans, requests, fines/fees and interested users) to the new user as well as purchase requests and user data from Primo VE and Leganto. Esploro users cannot be merged. To enable this feature, contact Ex Libris customer support.
Watch the Merge Duplicate Patron Records video (2:17 min).
DARA Now Identifies Highly Requested Titles
November 2019 DARA URM-108288
Using an Alma Analytics report, DARA can now identify highly requested titles in your institution. This allows you to take steps to reduce patron waiting time for these items, such as modifying their terms of use, moving them to a short loan location, and purchasing additional copies of the items.
Using an Alma Analytics report, DARA can now identify highly requested titles in your institution. This allows you to take steps to reduce patron waiting time for these items, such as modifying their terms of use, moving them to a short loan location, and purchasing additional copies of the items.
For more information, see DARA – Data Analysis Recommendation Assistant.
DARA Now Recommends Linking Local Electronic Portfolios to the Community Zone
November 2019 DARA URM-108287
DARA now identifies when you have local portfolios in your electronic collections that are available in the community zone and recommends that you link them. Linking to the community zone enables you to receive updates automatically, without the need to update the portfolios manually.
DARA now identifies when you have local portfolios in your electronic collections that are available in the community zone and recommends that you link them. Linking to the community zone enables you to receive updates automatically, without the need to update the portfolios manually.
For more information, see DARA – Data Analysis Recommendation Assistant.
Authority Contribution – Copy Option
November 2019 Resource Management URM-108046
For institutions that are authorized to contribute authority records to the Community Zone, there is a new Record View page action (Copy to Community) that enables you to easily copy an authority record to the MD Editor, edit and save it, and contribute the saved record to the Community Zone and an external authority system such as GND, BARE, or NLI. The Copy to Community action appears when you select a title to view from your Authorities search results on the Community tab. See Copy to Community for more information.
For institutions that are authorized to contribute authority records to the Community Zone, there is a new Record View page action (Copy to Community) that enables you to easily copy an authority record to the MD Editor, edit and save it, and contribute the saved record to the Community Zone and an external authority system such as GND, BARE, or NLI. The Copy to Community action appears when you select a title to view from your Authorities search results on the Community tab. See Copy to Community for more information.
Simplifying Authority Control Management
November 2019 Resource Management
URM-96669You now have greater control in determining when linking bibliographic records to authority records should be done and when linking should be skipped. Using the Link BIB Headings Rules, you have the flexibility to define in which cases linking upon save and automatic linking (as part of the link bibliographic headings job) is skipped for bibliographic headings. The process of managing the bibliographic headings records that appear in the Authority Control Task List as a result of the linking job can be streamlined by implementing tags to identify certain types of records. See Authority Control Rules for more information.
URM-96669You now have greater control in determining when linking bibliographic records to authority records should be done and when linking should be skipped. Using the Link BIB Headings Rules, you have the flexibility to define in which cases linking upon save and automatic linking (as part of the link bibliographic headings job) is skipped for bibliographic headings. The process of managing the bibliographic headings records that appear in the Authority Control Task List as a result of the linking job can be streamlined by implementing tags to identify certain types of records. See Authority Control Rules for more information.
Institution Zone and Network Zone included as Search Resources in Search Profile
November 2019 Resource Management Idea Exchange SF: 00161580 00018897 URM-112653
When using the Resource Management Search Resources option (previously Search External Resources), you can now include your Institution Zone and Network Zone (where applicable) in the search options. This is in addition to the Community Zone and external resources that you have configured for your system. See Configuring Search Profiles and Searching Resources for more information.
Idea Exchange SF: 00161580 00018897 URM-112653When using the Resource Management Search Resources option (previously Search External Resources), you can now include your Institution Zone and Network Zone (where applicable) in the search options. This is in addition to the Community Zone and external resources that you have configured for your system. See Configuring Search Profiles and Searching Resources for more information.
Watch the MD Editor: Search the Network Zone, for Copy Cataloging video (5:38 minutes).
Local Authority Management – Catalog Set / Filter Set Actions
November 2019 Resource Management SF: 00473431 URM-82385
For better management of local authority records, the following new options are now available:
- Catalog Set – A set of local authorities records can be opened in the MD Editor for cataloging.
- Filter Set – You can filter a set of local authority records using indication rules to create a subset of records with only the records that pass the indication rules conditions.
For more information, see the table Actions Menu Options - Logical Set.
ProQuest Ebook Central Integration – Group Setting
November 2019 Resource Management SF: 00701011 URM-109309
For institutions that manage distributed access to electronic resources, multiple integration profiles for ProQuest Ebook Central upload electronic holdings can be enabled in one institution, supporting institutions that have multiple ProQuest accounts. For more information, see Group parameter in the Upload Electronic Holdings Section table.
For institutions that manage distributed access to electronic resources, multiple integration profiles for ProQuest Ebook Central upload electronic holdings can be enabled in one institution, supporting institutions that have multiple ProQuest accounts. For more information, see Group parameter in the Upload Electronic Holdings Section table.
Group Settings Logged in the History Tab
November 2019 Resource Management SF: 00221312 00384629 URM-63448
For institutions that manage distributed access to electronic resources, changes to settings on the Group Settings tab for electronic collections, electronic services, and electronic portfolios are now logged in the History tab. See the History tab information in the following tables: Electronic Portfolio Editor Page and Electronic Collection Editor Tabs and Fields.
For institutions that manage distributed access to electronic resources, changes to settings on the Group Settings tab for electronic collections, electronic services, and electronic portfolios are now logged in the History tab. See the History tab information in the following tables: Electronic Portfolio Editor Page and Electronic Collection Editor Tabs and Fields.
New Link Resolver Service for Unpaywall Open Access Articles
November 2019 Resource Management Idea Exchange URM-70506
There is a new link resolver service for Unpaywall Open Access articles. See Using the OpenURL Link Resolver Electronic Services Page and enable_open_access_services_from_unpaywall_api for more information.
Idea Exchange URM-70506There is a new link resolver service for Unpaywall Open Access articles. See Using the OpenURL Link Resolver Electronic Services Page and enable_open_access_services_from_unpaywall_api for more information.
OpenID Connect
November 2019 Resource Management URM-92222
Alma now supports OpenID Connect (OIDC) as a standard for user authentication. See OpenID Connect for more information.
Alma now supports OpenID Connect (OIDC) as a standard for user authentication. See OpenID Connect for more information.
Provenance ID Added to Digital Representations
November 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-59786
The Provenance ID field was added to digital representations. To support this feature, the following enhancements were made:
The Provenance ID field was added to digital representations. To support this feature, the following enhancements were made:
- The Representation Provenance ID and File Provenance ID fields were added to the Representation parameters section for the Remote Representation Migration job.
Representation Provenance ID and File Provenance ID - The Provenance ID field is available when viewing representations that were migrated from a remote repository:
Provenance ID - The Provenance ID field is now searchable in the Advanced Search on the representation and file levels.
New Add Titles to Collection and Remove Titles from Collection Jobs
November 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-67995
The new Add Titles to Collection and Remove Titles from Collection jobs are now available. You can use these jobs to add and remove a set of titles to and from a collection. For more information, see Running Manual Jobs on Defined Sets.
The new Add Titles to Collection and Remove Titles from Collection jobs are now available. You can use these jobs to add and remove a set of titles to and from a collection. For more information, see Running Manual Jobs on Defined Sets.
Email Delay Option
November 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange URM-79741
You can now add a Delay for hold notification (minutes) on either the Circulation Desk - General Information or Library Details pages. When a hold notification is set to be sent to a patron, Alma waits for the delay to complete, then checks to see if the request is still active and if so, sends the hold notification to the patron. If the value is populated for both the circulation desk and the library, the value in the circulation desk is used.
Idea Exchange URM-79741You can now add a Delay for hold notification (minutes) on either the Circulation Desk - General Information or Library Details pages. When a hold notification is set to be sent to a patron, Alma waits for the delay to complete, then checks to see if the request is still active and if so, sends the hold notification to the patron. If the value is populated for both the circulation desk and the library, the value in the circulation desk is used.
For more information, see Editing a Library and Adding a Circulation Desk.
Add Bulk Actions to Reading Room Loans
November 2019 Fulfillment URM-104249
When in the Active Hold Shelf of a reading room location, the Held by Patron and On Shelf (not final) tabs now include an option to select multiple items and then select either Receive from Patron or Loan to Patron.
When in the Active Hold Shelf of a reading room location, the Held by Patron and On Shelf (not final) tabs now include an option to select multiple items and then select either Receive from Patron or Loan to Patron.
Additionally, Requester Email, Requester Name and Item Barcode are now available as search options on those tabs.
For more information, see Managing Active Hold Shelf Items.
Restrict Requests by Patron's Campus
November 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange URM-82183
Request, loan and booking fulfillment unit rules now have the option to define a rule that applies only to patrons of a given campus to enable limiting resources to students of the same campus only. The Patron Affiliated Campus rule appears in the input parameters of the Fulfillment Unit Rules Editor.
Idea Exchange URM-82183Request, loan and booking fulfillment unit rules now have the option to define a rule that applies only to patrons of a given campus to enable limiting resources to students of the same campus only. The Patron Affiliated Campus rule appears in the input parameters of the Fulfillment Unit Rules Editor.
For more information, see Editing a Fulfillment Unit.
Sort Options on Resource Sharing Requests Task Lists
November 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing Idea Exchange URM-73863
You can now sort the resource sharing task lists, either ascending or descending by title, creation date, update date, or last interest date.
Idea Exchange URM-73863You can now sort the resource sharing task lists, either ascending or descending by title, creation date, update date, or last interest date.
Push Requests to ILLiad
November 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing URM-102789
Alma can now create borrowing requests in ILLiad via the Create a transaction request API. To configure the partner for this, create or edit a resource sharing partner with the Profile Type of NCIP and a System Type of ILLiad. The Export to Third Party section of the Parameters tab now includes:
- The Export to third party field, including options to not export (No), export Using email and export Using API.
- When Using API is selected, an API key field is available. Populate this value with an API key that is supplied by ILLiad.
- When Using API is selected, a URL field is available. Populate this value with a URL that is supplied by ILLiad.
- The Export request ID name tag field to be used to send the Alma generated external request ID to ILLiad. ILLiad will use this request ID for further NCIP communications with Alma. Using this option allows you to continue receiving updates using NCIP and update the request. The value of this tag must be coordinated with ILLiad. Enter the name of the tag to populate with the external request ID.
- Select the Close request when exported to close the resource sharing request when exporting it to ILLiad.
For more information, see ILLiad Parameters.
Watch the Push Borrowing Requests to ILLiad video (5:38 minutes).
Push Borrowing Requests to RapidILL
November 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing URM-49695
Alma can now automatically create borrowing requests in RapidILL using the InsertRequest RapidILL API.
Alma can now automatically create borrowing requests in RapidILL using the InsertRequest RapidILL API.
You can configure a dedicated RapidILL partner. When the partner is configured, Alma automatically exports borrowing requests that have been assigned to the RapidILL partner, and creates an equivalent borrowing request in RapidILL. The Alma request is automatically closed with a status of Exported to Third Party. The request is then managed in the RapidILL system. The export action takes place when the Send action is triggered (manually or automatically) for the request with the active RapidILL partner.
If the request cannot be fulfilled by RapidILL, such as if the requested resource is not available for lending in RapidILL, the Send action is rejected and the request automatically moves on to the next partner on the rota. If there are no other partners that can fulfill the request, it is canceled.
This allows you to set RapidILL as a partner in the rota, so that all requests are automatically exported for fulfillment via RapidILL, unless the request cannot be fulfilled by RapidILL.
To configure the partner, create a resource sharing partner with the Profile Type of RapidILL. On the Parameters tab of the partner, the following fields are mandatory:
- URL - defaults to https://rapid2.library.colostate.edu/rapid5api/apiservice.asmx, which is the RapidILL production server. The test server is accessible at https://rapid-dev.acns.colostate.edu/rapid5api/apiservice.asmx.
- User Name
- Password
- Requesting Rapid Code
- Requesting Branch Name - if your institution has multiple RapidILL branches, each branch needs a different partner.
The values for configuring these fields are supplied by RapidILL.
Optional fields:
- Send requester information - Whether requester information is included in the API.
- Supports ADD address (disabled by default): Determines whether alternative email/address entered by patron are sent in the API. This defines whether the RapidILL request will send the resource to the requesting library email or to the patron email.
When the request is exported to RapidILL, it will be closed in Alma with a status of 'Exported to Third Party'. Its lifecycle is expected to be further managed directly in RapidILL.
For more information, see RapidILL Parameters.
Create Purchase Requests from Borrowing Requests
November 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing / Acquisitions URM-15396
On the Resource Sharing Borrowing Requests Task List, you can now:
- Terminate an active request (cancelling current supplier) and use the request information for creating a purchase request.
- Use the request information for creating a purchase request without cancelling the existing borrowing request.
These actions are available for all requests, including requests that are already completed.
For Fulfillment Services Operators and Fulfillment Services Manager roles, a new action is available from the row action menu, Purchase Request. The privilege for this role is enabled by default for customers who go live starting with the November release. For existing customers, please contact Ex Libris customer support to have the privilege enabled.
When clicking the row action menu, if the request is inactive, you are taken directly to a purchase request form. If the borrowing request is active, a window is displayed to select whether to cancel the borrowing request or keep the borrowing request active alongside the purchase request.
- If resource sharing request was canceled, the Requester field of the purchase request is populated with the requester from the original borrowing resource sharing request.
- If resource sharing request was inactive or kept active, the Requester field of the purchase request is populated with the user ID of the current user.
For more information, see Managing Resource Sharing Borrowing Requests.
Watch the Create Purchase Requests from Borrowing Requests video (5:38 minutes).
APIs to Support ISO 18626 Partners
November 2019 Release Update Fulfillment URM-108475
It is now possible to configure resource sharing partners of type ISO 18626 via the API .
It is now possible to configure resource sharing partners of type ISO 18626 via the API .
See Resource Sharing Partners on the Developer Network.
New Purchase Requests Dashboard and Reports
November 2019 Analytics URM-112355
A new out-of-the-box dashboard and several out-of-the-box reports were added for the Purchase Requests subject area. For a list of the reports, see Out-of-the-Box Reports. For more information, see Purchase Requests in Alma Analytics.
A new out-of-the-box dashboard and several out-of-the-box reports were added for the Purchase Requests subject area. For a list of the reports, see Out-of-the-Box Reports. For more information, see Purchase Requests in Alma Analytics.
Date Fields Added with Calendar Picker
November 2019 Analytics URM-111652
For date fields that include both date and time, an additional field was added with only the date with (Calendar) in the field name. This enables a Calendar Picker to be used when manually filtering by a date. For example, in the Physical Items subject area:
For date fields that include both date and time, an additional field was added with only the date with (Calendar) in the field name. This enables a Calendar Picker to be used when manually filtering by a date. For example, in the Physical Items subject area:
Calendar Picker
Title (Complete) Added to Bibliographic Details
November 2019 Analytics Idea Exchange URM-111652
The Title (Complete) field was added to the shared Bibliographic Details dimension in every subject area in which it appears. It includes the information from MARC field 245, subfields $p, $n, $s, $k, $f, $g.
Idea Exchange URM-111652The Title (Complete) field was added to the shared Bibliographic Details dimension in every subject area in which it appears. It includes the information from MARC field 245, subfields $p, $n, $s, $k, $f, $g.
COUNTER Release 5 in Usage Data Subject Area
November 2019 Analytics URM-105878
The Usage Via COUNTER Reports - Release 5 dashboard and reports are now available in Alma Analytics. To support this new development, the following enhancements were implemented:
The Usage Via COUNTER Reports - Release 5 dashboard and reports are now available in Alma Analytics. To support this new development, the following enhancements were implemented:
- An entire new folder called Usage Data Details - Release 5 with over 60 new measures was added. For more information, see Usage Data Details - Release 5.
Usage Data Details - Release 5 Folder - A new folder of default reports and dashboard under Shared/Alma/Usage via COUNTER reports - Release 5 was added. For more information, see Out-of-the-Box Reports.
Usage via COUNTER Reports - Release 5 Reports
Enhancing Select Fulfillment Jobs' Performance
November 2019 Administration and Infrastructure / Fulfillment URM-101950
Performance has been enhanced for the following fulfillment jobs:
Performance has been enhanced for the following fulfillment jobs:
- Cancel physical titles requests
- Cancel physical items requests
- Change loan to claimed returned
- Close lost loans
- Create physical item work orders
Alma Letter Configuration
November 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-113837
The following letter configuration links have been removed from the General Configuration menu:
The following letter configuration links have been removed from the General Configuration menu:
- Letter emails
- Letter Activity
- Letter Retention
- Notification Template
- XML To Letter Admin
- Customize Letters
The information that was previously available in these links can now be accessed from the Letters Configuration or Components Configuration pages in the Letters section of the General Configuration menu.
For more information, see Configuring Alma Letters.
Languages in Letter Preview
November 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-114729
The Letter Preview window that is available from the Letter Details page now includes a drop-down box for languages to preview the letter in the selected language. The list includes the configured languages for your system.
The Letter Preview window that is available from the Letter Details page now includes a drop-down box for languages to preview the letter in the selected language. The list includes the configured languages for your system.
Letter Preview
The information that was previously available in these links can now be accessed from the Letters Configuration or Components Configuration pages in the Letters section of the General Configuration menu.
For more information, see Configuring Alma Letters.
Letter Name and Description Translated in Letter Configuration
November 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-114061
The Letter Configuration page now shows the Letter and Description columns in the user's language.
The Letter Configuration page now shows the Letter and Description columns in the user's language.
Self-Check Patron ID Automatic Identification Rules
November 2019 Administration and Infrastructure / Collaborative Networks SF: 00696703 URM-112526
A new field is now available on the Self Check Integration Profile. When the Allow Fulfillment Network Users (supported for fully unique identifiers only) field is set to Yes and the network_users_unique_identifiers parameter is set to Full, Alma searches for the user locally, then in fulfillment network members. The search stops when a match is found and the linked account is created automatically. When the network_users_unique_identifiers parameter is set to None, or the Allow Fulfillment Network Users (supported for fully unique identifiers only) field is set to No, Alma searches only local users in response to SIP2 messages.
A new field is now available on the Self Check Integration Profile. When the Allow Fulfillment Network Users (supported for fully unique identifiers only) field is set to Yes and the network_users_unique_identifiers parameter is set to Full, Alma searches for the user locally, then in fulfillment network members. The search stops when a match is found and the linked account is created automatically. When the network_users_unique_identifiers parameter is set to None, or the Allow Fulfillment Network Users (supported for fully unique identifiers only) field is set to No, Alma searches only local users in response to SIP2 messages.
The Create User Loan API now includes the same functionality, with the new generate_linked_user parameter. When the parameter is set to Y and the network_users_unique_identifiers parameter is set to Full, Alma searches for the user locally, then in fulfillment network members. The search stops when a match is found and the linked account is created automatically.
For more information, see Self-Check Machines.
Transport Layer Security (TLS) Support
November 2019
TLS is a cryptographic protocol that provides authentication and data encryption between different endpoints (for example, the user’s desktop and the application server). Various vulnerabilities (such as POODLE and DROWN) have been found in TLS versions 1.0 and 1.1 in recent years.
As announced in release notes earlier this year, to avoid security vulnerabilities and to align with industry standards, Ex Libris is removing its support for TLS 1.0 and 1.1 in Alma production environments and will support only TLS 1.2 or later. The rollout which was communicated began on some environments in May and will be concluded in December 2019.
You can find additional information on TLS at:
DARA Now Suggests Recommendations to Configure Integration Profiles to Upload Electronic Holdings
September 2019 DARA URM-107000 URM-106998
DARA can now determine if you have electronic collections that were not uploaded with an integration profile from vendors that support automatic upload of electronic holdings. DARA recommends that you configure the integration profile, for supported vendors. One recommendation is produced for each supported vendor.
DARA can now determine if you have electronic collections that were not uploaded with an integration profile from vendors that support automatic upload of electronic holdings. DARA recommends that you configure the integration profile, for supported vendors. One recommendation is produced for each supported vendor.
For more information, see DARA – Data Analysis Recommendation Assistant.
New Option in Data Sharing Profile
September 2019 Acquisitions URM-113669
The Data Sharing Profile now has a new option, Selection and Collection Development, that enables you to include your anonymized inventory information together with similar data from other participating institutions to enable the development of new, robust analytical features related to Selection and Collection Development, which can then be used to add additional value to Alma and the community. For more information, see Data Sharing Profile.
The Data Sharing Profile now has a new option, Selection and Collection Development, that enables you to include your anonymized inventory information together with similar data from other participating institutions to enable the development of new, robust analytical features related to Selection and Collection Development, which can then be used to add additional value to Alma and the community. For more information, see Data Sharing Profile.
IDs and Other Information in Search Results
September 2019 Resource Management URM-83327
Various IDs are now being displayed in the search results. See the table below for details.
Various IDs are now being displayed in the search results. See the table below for details.
| Type of Search Results Page | ID Added |
|---|---|
| Physical Items | Item ID |
| Physical Items | Holdings ID |
| Electronic Collection | (Electronic) Collection ID |
| Electronic Portfolios | Portfolio ID |
| Electronic Portfolios | Service ID |
| Electronic Portfolios | (Electronic) Collection ID |
| Digital Files | File ID |
| Digital Files | Representation ID |
| Collection | Collection ID |
| Authorities | MMS ID |
Also added to the search results display is the creation and modification date information similar to what was previously displayed for electronic collection search results. These dates are formatted on the display according to your date configuration settings and are included as separate columns of information when you export search results to Excel.
For the various titles search results pages, the MMS ID now appears by default.
See Example Repository Search Results for more information.
Number of Requests
September 2019 Resource Management URM-59058 / URM-106995
For titles that have items where the Enumeration A and Chronology I are empty, the number of requests now appear on the holdings level; and for titles that have items with Enumeration A and Chronology I, the number of requests now appear on the item level. See Held By Details and Working with the List of Items for more information.
For titles that have items where the Enumeration A and Chronology I are empty, the number of requests now appear on the holdings level; and for titles that have items with Enumeration A and Chronology I, the number of requests now appear on the item level. See Held By Details and Working with the List of Items for more information.
Linking Refinement
September 2019 Resource Management URM-104451
For all institutions that use Names and Subjects authority priorities, a record that is linked to a lower priority vocabulary can now be re-evaluated during the Authorities - Link BIB Headings job run to be linked to a higher priority vocabulary. See Enabled Linking Refinements for more information.
For all institutions that use Names and Subjects authority priorities, a record that is linked to a lower priority vocabulary can now be re-evaluated during the Authorities - Link BIB Headings job run to be linked to a higher priority vocabulary. See Enabled Linking Refinements for more information.
ETD-MS Format Now Supported
September 2019 Digital Resource Management SF: 00695765 URM-104673
The ETD-MS metadata schema is now supported in Alma, enabling you to deposit, catalog, publish, and deliver digital content cataloged in ETD-MS.
The ETD-MS metadata schema is now supported in Alma, enabling you to deposit, catalog, publish, and deliver digital content cataloged in ETD-MS.
ETD-MS is available in the following locations in Alma:
- In the Record Format field, when adding a representation (Resources > Add Digital Representation).
- In the Source Format and Target Format fields, when configuring import profiles (Resources > Manage Import Profiles).
- In the Output Format field, when configuring a Publishing Profile (Resources > Publishing Profiles).
- In the Bibliographic record formats to include field, when running the Export Digital Titles job (Admin > Run a Job).
Group Digital Files by Subfield 8 Linking Number When Importing Digital Records
September 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-107454
When importing digital MARC bibliographic records, you can now group the digital files into representations by the 856 $8 linking number. To support this feature, the new Subfield $8 Linking Number option was added to the Group files by field when creating a digital import profile.
When importing digital MARC bibliographic records, you can now group the digital files into representations by the 856 $8 linking number. To support this feature, the new Subfield $8 Linking Number option was added to the Group files by field when creating a digital import profile.
Subfield $8 Linking Number
Forms Now Support Normalization Processes
September 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-107662
You can now associate a metadata form with a normalization process like you can with digital import profiles. To support this feature the Correct the data using field was added to the Form fields.
You can now associate a metadata form with a normalization process like you can with digital import profiles. To support this feature the Correct the data using field was added to the Form fields.
Correct the Data Using
For more information, see Working with Forms.Manage Letter Examples
September 2019 Fulfillment NERS Enhancement (ID #5730) URM-107718
NERS Enhancement (ID #5730) URM-107718
The Letter Examples tab of the Letter Configuration page now supports the ability to browse latest server side examples and download/add to examples list. These examples are subject to the retention policy of the institution. The XML files saved in the system will be retained for 7 days and will be removed by the weekly cleanup job. The XML examples added to the XML list from the system are persistent and will not be cleaned by the weekly job. Any identifying information should be removed from these examples.
See Testing Letter Output and Viewing the Source XML.
Watch the Configuring Letters in Alma video (5:38 minutes).
Ship Digital Content
September 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing Idea Exchange URM-108094
Idea Exchange URM-108094It is now possible to ship digital content as part of a lender's document delivery service, without having to trigger a digitization workflow first.
A new action, Ship Item Digitally, is available on the lending request task list. It is available whenever the Ship Item action is also visible. This allows you to add files to the lending request that are already in your possession (i.e. have not been created as part of a digitization workflow). Once the files are uploaded and the page saved, the request is changed either to Shipped Digitally or Request Completed depending on whether the Complete the request check box is selected on the Shipping Digitally page.
On the Manage Fulfillment Options page (Digital Services section), it is now possible to ship digital resources that are managed in Alma, regardless of whether the digital content is stored remotely (using a Remote Representation) or locally on Alma. The prior Document Delivery action is replaced with three new actions, View, View Files (if the representation is not a remote representation), and Deliver. Using the View action allows to view the digital representation. If the represntation is a Remote Representation, it also allows to use a Ship action to ship the digital content. Using View Files action allows to choose which file to ship, if they are stored locally on Alma. The Deliver action allows to view the files.
Online Print Queue
September 2019 Administration and Infrastructure NERS Enhancement (ID #5746) URM-106913
You can now send letters to an online print queue for later printing, and print aggregation.
NERS Enhancement (ID #5746) URM-106913You can now send letters to an online print queue for later printing, and print aggregation.
For more information, see Printouts Queue.
Quick Printing
September 2019 Administration and Infrastructure NERS Enhancement (ID #5746) URM-105393
Quick Printing allows you to dictate that all printouts going to a specific printer should automatically print. When using quick printing, the printing window immediately displays when the letter is generated.
NERS Enhancement (ID #5746) URM-105393Quick Printing allows you to dictate that all printouts going to a specific printer should automatically print. When using quick printing, the printing window immediately displays when the letter is generated.
For more information, see Quick Printing.
Visibility of Operator Information in History Tabs
September 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-111908
A new privilege, View Operator Details, now allows you to restrict who can view Alma users' details in any of the History tabs (and some other pages) across the system. By default, there is no change to the existing functionality. You can turn on a default set of restrictions using the new page, Manage Operator Details Visibility. For more information, see Configuring Users' Ability to View Operator Details. For more granular control of which users can view operator details, contact Ex Libris customer support.
A new privilege, View Operator Details, now allows you to restrict who can view Alma users' details in any of the History tabs (and some other pages) across the system. By default, there is no change to the existing functionality. You can turn on a default set of restrictions using the new page, Manage Operator Details Visibility. For more information, see Configuring Users' Ability to View Operator Details. For more granular control of which users can view operator details, contact Ex Libris customer support.
- Operator information in all pages only appears to managers and administrators; regular operators cannot see this information.
- By default, all managers and operators can view operator information on any page that contains this information (assuming that they can see the page). You can configure Alma such that only managers or administrators relevant to specific areas of Alma can view operator information on the pages that appear in these areas. For example, a user who is an Invoice Manager (but no other manager or administrator) can view operator details in all acquisitions areas, but not in fulfillment or user management areas.
- New privileges VIEW_OPERATOR_DETAILS_ACQ, VIEW_OPERATOR_DETAILS_FULFILLMENT, VIEW_OPERATOR_DETAILS_REPOSITORY, and VIEW_OPERATOR_DETAILS_USER_MANAGEMENT were added to (ACQ) Acquisitions Administrator, Fiscal Period Manager, Fund Manager, Invoice Manager, Ledger Manager, License Manager, Purchase Request Manager, Purchasing Manager, Trial Manager, Vendor Account Manager, Vendor Manager, (FUL) Fulfillment Administrator, Circulation Desk Manager, Course Reserves Manager, Fulfillment Services Manager, Resource Sharing Partners Manager, (RES) Catalog Administrator, Catalog Manager, Deposit Manager, Repository Administrator, Repository Manager, (UM) User Administrator, User Manager. All of these privileges are on, by default, for all of these roles. When you configure restricted access to operator details, the non-relevant privileges are turned off for the relevant roles.
- The Audit tab was changed to the History tab on the Resource Sharing Borrowing Requests and Resource Sharing Lending Requests Task List pages.
User Passwords in the Identity Service
September 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-109461
The Ex Libris Identity Service now includes an indication for users that have a password stored within the Identity Service. The Identity Service field appears at the top of the Manage Users page.
The Ex Libris Identity Service now includes an indication for users that have a password stored within the Identity Service. The Identity Service field appears at the top of the Manage Users page.
User Details Page
For more information, see Editing Users.
SAML User Creation
September 2019 Administration and Infrastructure Idea Exchange URM-77338
You can now create an Alma user when a user is authenticated with SAML but does not have an existing Alma user. This eliminates the need to create user accounts in advance from a SIS or FTP file download. This option is supported for Primo VE.
Idea Exchange URM-77338You can now create an Alma user when a user is authenticated with SAML but does not have an existing Alma user. This eliminates the need to create user accounts in advance from a SIS or FTP file download. This option is supported for Primo VE.
For more information, see SAML-Based Single Sign-on/Sign-Off.
Display of All 035 $a Contents in Search Results
August 2019 Resource Management Idea Exchange URM-108646
The All titles, Physical titles, Electronic titles, and Digital titles repository search results now display all 035 $a content. This is handled as part of the existing Record number search results and the new multiple values icon (
). When you select the multiple values icon, all 035 $a content appears listed in the same order as presented in the MD Editor. The values that appear can be copied for copy/paste actions and can be exported using the Export list icon. When multiple values are exported to Excel, they are concatenated and delimited by a semicolon. See Record List Fields with Multiple Values for more information.
Idea Exchange URM-108646The All titles, Physical titles, Electronic titles, and Digital titles repository search results now display all 035 $a content. This is handled as part of the existing Record number search results and the new multiple values icon (
). When you select the multiple values icon, all 035 $a content appears listed in the same order as presented in the MD Editor. The values that appear can be copied for copy/paste actions and can be exported using the Export list icon. When multiple values are exported to Excel, they are concatenated and delimited by a semicolon. See Record List Fields with Multiple Values for more information.Expanded Resource Description
August 2019 Resource Management Idea Exchange URM-74072
The resource description in the headings information for the Record View, List of Items, List of Holdings, the Physical Item Editor, and single holdings was expanded. Also, the resource description was expanded in the MD Editor holdings record header. The resource description now includes the a, n, p, h, b, f, g, k, and s subfields of the MARC 21 / KORMARC 245 field and the a through i subfields of the UNIMARC 200 field. See below for some examples.
Idea Exchange URM-74072The resource description in the headings information for the Record View, List of Items, List of Holdings, the Physical Item Editor, and single holdings was expanded. Also, the resource description was expanded in the MD Editor holdings record header. The resource description now includes the a, n, p, h, b, f, g, k, and s subfields of the MARC 21 / KORMARC 245 field and the a through i subfields of the UNIMARC 200 field. See below for some examples.
Publishing Additional Fields to Primo from the Authority Record
August 2019 Resource Management URM-97434
For Institution Zone and Network Zone publishing to Primo, you can now configure your publishing profile to enrich the published record with any field from the authority record that the bibliographic record is linked to. See Publishing to Primo for more information.
For Institution Zone and Network Zone publishing to Primo, you can now configure your publishing profile to enrich the published record with any field from the authority record that the bibliographic record is linked to. See Publishing to Primo for more information.
Upon Import - Restrict Creation of the Electronic Inventory For New Bibliographic Records
August 2019 Resource Management URM-99553
When importing bibliographic records, and choosing to create electronic inventory, a new option is available that enables you to create electronic inventory only for the new bibliographic records. When you enable this option, Alma does not create electronic inventory for existing bibliographic records. See Create inventory only for new bibliographic records for more information.
Number of Requests
August 2019 Resource Management URM-106992 URM-106994
The number of requests now appear 1) on the Holdings tab on the 'Held By' Details page for monographs and 2) in a new column on the List of Items page for serials. See Held By Details and Working with the List of Items for more information.
The number of requests now appear 1) on the Holdings tab on the 'Held By' Details page for monographs and 2) in a new column on the List of Items page for serials. See Held By Details and Working with the List of Items for more information.
UNIMARC / CNMARC Repository Search Results Display
August 2019 Resource Management SF: 00629205 URM-105582
Formatting the subject content in the repository search results for the UNIMARC / CNMARC 600 $a and $b was changed. Since these fields contain first name and family name, the content now appears in search results as one subject entity, instead of two subject entities. See an example of this change below. Note that this change requires a reindexing to be fully implemented. Contact Ex Libris support if you are interested in this change before the next scheduled reindexing.
Formatting the subject content in the repository search results for the UNIMARC / CNMARC 600 $a and $b was changed. Since these fields contain first name and family name, the content now appears in search results as one subject entity, instead of two subject entities. See an example of this change below. Note that this change requires a reindexing to be fully implemented. Contact Ex Libris support if you are interested in this change before the next scheduled reindexing.
MARC 21 Authority Metadata Configuration
August 2019 Resource Management URM-104522
The following changes were made to the configuration for MARC 21 Authority (Configuration Menu > Resources > Cataloging > Metadata Configuration > MARC21 Authority):
The following changes were made to the configuration for MARC 21 Authority (Configuration Menu > Resources > Cataloging > Metadata Configuration > MARC21 Authority):
- 008 field – In position 9, the | value (No attempt to code) was added.
- LDR field – Position 18 and 19 and now defined separately. Position 18 is described as Punctuation policy and position 19 is described as Undefined.
Browse Shelf Listing
August 2019 Resource Management URM-108404
In the Browse Shelf Listing's Call Number Level drop-down list of options, the Alternative call number option was changed to Item call number. This change also appears in the Level column of the Browse Shelf Listing's results.
In the Browse Shelf Listing's Call Number Level drop-down list of options, the Alternative call number option was changed to Item call number. This change also appears in the Level column of the Browse Shelf Listing's results.
COUNTER Platform
August 2019 Resource Management URM-106982 URM-106950 URM-106953 URM-102474
To improve cost-per-use reporting in Analytics for COUNTER reports, a new COUNTER Platform feature was implemented in the following areas of Alma: Electronic Collection Editor, Electronic Portfolio Editor, Repository Search Results, Search Configuration, Add Local Electronic Collection, Add Local Portfolio, and Electronic Service Editor. With this feature, you can specify a specific platform for electronic collections and/or electronic portfolios for Alma Analytics usage data and cost-per-use reports. The purpose of this feature is to address the issue that arises where, as a result of the same resource appearing in different COUNTER reports for different platforms, multiple platforms appear in the usage data and cost-per-use reports as shown in the following examples:
To improve cost-per-use reporting in Analytics for COUNTER reports, a new COUNTER Platform feature was implemented in the following areas of Alma: Electronic Collection Editor, Electronic Portfolio Editor, Repository Search Results, Search Configuration, Add Local Electronic Collection, Add Local Portfolio, and Electronic Service Editor. With this feature, you can specify a specific platform for electronic collections and/or electronic portfolios for Alma Analytics usage data and cost-per-use reports. The purpose of this feature is to address the issue that arises where, as a result of the same resource appearing in different COUNTER reports for different platforms, multiple platforms appear in the usage data and cost-per-use reports as shown in the following examples:
See the following for more information:
- COUNTER Platform (Electronic Collection Editor / Adding a Local Electronic Collection)
- Electronic collection COUNTER Platform (Electroninc Portfolio Editor)
- COUNTER Platform (Electronic Portfolio Editor)
- iepa_counterPlatform and portfolio_counterPlatform (Search Index)
- Portfolio Loader
Note that the functionality related to repository search indexes depends on the completion of the July / August semiannual indexing job.
Publishing Information
August 2019 Resource Management URM-99115
There is a new option under Resources (Resources > Publishing > Publishing Information) for accessing the information that is published by the following types of publishing jobs: General Publishing, Primo, Summon, OCLC, Primo Central, Summon Central, Libraries Australia, and Google Scholar. Enter a resource ID, such as a title ID, to view the details of what was published for that entity. For more information, see Publishing Information.
There is a new option under Resources (Resources > Publishing > Publishing Information) for accessing the information that is published by the following types of publishing jobs: General Publishing, Primo, Summon, OCLC, Primo Central, Summon Central, Libraries Australia, and Google Scholar. Enter a resource ID, such as a title ID, to view the details of what was published for that entity. For more information, see Publishing Information.
Physical Material Type Descriptions
August 2019 Resource Management URM-107429
There are new physical material type descriptions that you can configure to appear in the Physical Item Editor. The new physical material type descriptions are:
There are new physical material type descriptions that you can configure to appear in the Physical Item Editor. The new physical material type descriptions are:
- Standard record, shellac record = An old-style 78rpm record made of a molding material that we now call a thermoplastic in which shellac was greatly extended by assorted neutral filler materials, among them the carbon black which gives the black look to most records.
- Vertical-cut disc, Path? record = The vertical cut recording process is an early method of audio recording by which a stylus cuts a vertical groove into a phonograph record. This is in contrast to the lateral recording system which uses a stylus that cuts side-to-side across a record.
- Cardboard record, flexi disc = A cardboard record was a type of cheaply made phonograph record made of plastic-coated thin paperboard. These discs were usually small, had poor audio quality compared to vinyl or acetate discs, and were often only marginally playable due to their light weight, slick surface, and tendency to warp like a taco shell.
- Magnetic tape = Magnetic tape is a medium for magnetic recording, made of a thin, magnetizable coating on a long, narrow strip of plastic film. It was developed in Germany in 1928, based on magnetic wire recording. Devices that record and play back audio and video using magnetic tape are tape recorders and video tape recorders respectively.
- Piano roll = A piano roll is a music storage medium used to operate a player piano, piano player or reproducing piano. A piano roll is a continuous roll of paper with perforations (holes) punched into it. The perforations represent note control data. The roll moves over a reading system known as a 'tracker bar' and the playing cycle for each musical note is triggered when a perforation crosses the bar and is read.
- Phonograph cylinder = Phonograph cylinders are the earliest commercial medium for recording and reproducing sound. Commonly known simply as "records" in their era of greatest popularity (c. 1896–1915), these hollow cylindrical objects have an audio recording engraved on the outside surface, which can be reproduced when they are played on a mechanical cylinder phonograph.
By default, these are not enabled. To enable them, see Configuring Physical Item Material Type Descriptions.
My Electronic Resources by Provider
August 2019 Resource Management URM-113754
The My Electronic Resources by Provider feature gives you the ability to easily view your subscriptions with providers and their availability status in Alma. With it, you can also activate any resources that you subscribe to but have not activated. See My Electronic Resources by Provider for more information.
The My Electronic Resources by Provider feature gives you the ability to easily view your subscriptions with providers and their availability status in Alma. With it, you can also activate any resources that you subscribe to but have not activated. See My Electronic Resources by Provider for more information.
My Electronic Resources by Provider initially provides your subscription status with the ProQuest platform (including the Government platform, History Vault and Statistical products excluding Alexander Street products, and Book products). This capability will be expanded to additional providers based on their ability to provide the subscriptions information per customer.
MODS Metadata Schema Now Supported
August 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-108652
The MODS metadata schema is now supported in Alma, enabling you to deposit, catalog, publish, and deliver digital content cataloged in MODS. Note that to have this schema available, you must submit a request to Ex Libris support.
The MODS metadata schema is now supported in Alma, enabling you to deposit, catalog, publish, and deliver digital content cataloged in MODS. Note that to have this schema available, you must submit a request to Ex Libris support.
MODS is available in the following locations in Alma:
- In the new MD Editor for MODS.
- In the Record Format field, when adding a representation (Resources > Add Digital Representation).
- In the Source Format field, when configuring import profiles (Resources > Manage Import Profiles).
- In the Output Format field, when configuring a Publishing Profile (Resources > Publishing Profiles).
- In the Bibliographic record formats to include field, when running the Export Digital Titles job (Admin > Run a Job).
Using the Circulation Desk IP for RFID Integrations
August 2019 Fulfillment URM-104449
When adding/editing an RFID integration profile, you can now add IP configuration if Other is selected in the System field. A new check box, Item Information Update, is also available to indicate whether the vendor writes to the tag or only updates the security bit. When Item Information Update is selected, links display for RFID Material Type Definition, RFID Item Policy Definition, and Mapping of RFID Fields to Alma Fields.
See RFID Support.
Reshelving Items
August 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange URM-80884
Time to reshelve (hours) is now available on the Organization Unit Details (when configuring a library), Circulation Desk, and Reshelve Without Transit Rules Editor pages. When configured, items that are marked as reshelf or reshelf without transit, will be displayed as Awaiting Shelving, instead of Item in Place, for the period of time configured. The item is considered as available, but appears as being reshelved in Alma and Primo so students and librarians know not to search for it on the shelf. Alma removes the 'Awaiting Reshelving' indication when the configured time since the item return has passed.
Idea Exchange URM-80884Time to reshelve (hours) is now available on the Organization Unit Details (when configuring a library), Circulation Desk, and Reshelve Without Transit Rules Editor pages. When configured, items that are marked as reshelf or reshelf without transit, will be displayed as Awaiting Shelving, instead of Item in Place, for the period of time configured. The item is considered as available, but appears as being reshelved in Alma and Primo so students and librarians know not to search for it on the shelf. Alma removes the 'Awaiting Reshelving' indication when the configured time since the item return has passed.
You can configure Time to reshelve once for the entire library, or override for a specific circulation desk.
This configuration will be available for Primo VE customers in an upcoming release.
Watch the Reshelving Items Time video (2:07 min).
Merge Patron Records
August 2019 Administration and Infrastructure Idea Exchange URM-81969
A user with appropriate privileges can now merge one or more user records into another user record. You can select which segments to merge (contacts, identifiers, notes, blocks, demerits, statistics, attachments and proxy for). All fulfillment activities are merged (loans, requests, fines/fees and interested users) to the new user. To enable this feature, contact Ex Libris customer support.
Idea Exchange URM-81969A user with appropriate privileges can now merge one or more user records into another user record. You can select which segments to merge (contacts, identifiers, notes, blocks, demerits, statistics, attachments and proxy for). All fulfillment activities are merged (loans, requests, fines/fees and interested users) to the new user. To enable this feature, contact Ex Libris customer support.
This feature will be made available in an upcoming release.
Watch the Merge Duplicate Patron Records video (2:17 min).
Letter Customization Tool
August 2019 Administration and Infrastructure NERS Enhancement (ID #5730) URM-110021
New, streamlined pages are now available for Letters Configuration and Components Configuration. In the near future, they will replace the previous Letter Emails, Letter Activity, Letter Retention, Notification Template, and Customize Letters pages. Until then, a change made in the new pages will also appear in the old pages, and vice versa.
NERS Enhancement (ID #5730) URM-110021New, streamlined pages are now available for Letters Configuration and Components Configuration. In the near future, they will replace the previous Letter Emails, Letter Activity, Letter Retention, Notification Template, and Customize Letters pages. Until then, a change made in the new pages will also appear in the old pages, and vice versa.
For more information, see Configuring Letters, Configuring Components, and Centrally Managing Letters in a Network Zone.
DARA Enhanced to Suggest Recommendations for Unavailable Electronic Portfolios and Validate Order Information for API Orders
July 2019 DARA URM-104873 URM-103685
DARA can now offer the following recommendations:
DARA can now offer the following recommendations:
- Unavailable Portfolios – Using an Alma Analytics report, DARA can identify unavailable electronic portfolios and recommend that you activate them.
- Validate Order Information for Orders Created by API – DARA identifies when you have the New Order Integration profile configured in your institution and you have PO lines created by an API, but you did not select any of the Validation of Order Information options for the New Order API integration profile. These options prevent the API from creating new orders without proper funding.
For more information, see DARA – Data Analysis Recommendation Assistant.
New Vendor for Availability and Pricing
June 2019 Acquisitions URM-102012
Availability and pricing is now available for Askews and Holts on the Check Availability and Pricing page. Because Askews and Holts only supports item search by ISBN, availability and pricing for Askews and Holts is only available when ISBN is part of the search.
Availability and pricing is now available for Askews and Holts on the Check Availability and Pricing page. Because Askews and Holts only supports item search by ISBN, availability and pricing for Askews and Holts is only available when ISBN is part of the search.
For Askews and Holts to be included in the results, verify that the connection parameters are defined on the System Integration tab of the Vendor record. See Managing Vendors.
Add Items to the Claim Task List
July 2019 Acquisitions URM-80780
The Claim Task List now includes a new collapsible section, Claiming Information. This section, which is only available for physical PO lines, lists the items or holdings and their claim status. For physical one time orders, the list displays all unreceived items linked to this PO Line. The Go to inventory link displays the item editor. For physical continuous orders, the list displays all unreceived items that are under the holdings linking to this PO line, based on the prediction pattern. In this case, if there are items, the Go to inventory link goes to the the item editor, otherwise it goes to the holdings item lists.
Watch the View Unreceived Items for Order Lines with Claims video (1:17 min).
See Processing Claims.
Override URL for SUSHI Vendors
July 2019 Acquisitions URM-75370
The Vendor SUSHI Account page now includes an Override URL in addition to the Vendor URL. Either the Override URL or the Vendor URL must be populated. If the Vendor URL for a SUSHI account changes in the list of SUSHI-certified vendors, the Vendor URL is updated. The Override URL is not changed by the update. When the SUSHI harvest job runs, the Override URL is checked first, and then the Vendor URL if the Override URL doesn't connect successfully.
Link Resolver View It - Show All Option
July 2019 Resource Management Idea Exchange SF: 00507137 00526586 00574938 URM-100231
The Link Resolver View It (which presents context-sensitive electronic services) can now show more than 25 services using a new Show All option. See View It and enable_view_it_show_all_results for more information.
Idea Exchange SF: 00507137 00526586 00574938 URM-100231The Link Resolver View It (which presents context-sensitive electronic services) can now show more than 25 services using a new Show All option. See View It and enable_view_it_show_all_results for more information.
Fields Added to Electronic Inventory Enrichment
July 2019 Resource Management Idea Exchange URM-105872
The published data for electronic inventory enrichment was extended to include the following information: URL Type, Proxy Selected, Proxy Enabled, Authentication Note, and Internal Description. These publishing changes are available when using the General Profile for publishing. See Publishing and Inventory Enrichment (General Publishing) for more information.
Idea Exchange URM-105872The published data for electronic inventory enrichment was extended to include the following information: URL Type, Proxy Selected, Proxy Enabled, Authentication Note, and Internal Description. These publishing changes are available when using the General Profile for publishing. See Publishing and Inventory Enrichment (General Publishing) for more information.
Advanced Search Options for Subjects Index
July 2019 Resource Management Idea Exchange URM-97712
For an All titles searches using the Subjects index, the following matching criteria were added to the Advanced search options: Is Empty, Not Contains Keywords, Not Equals, Not Contains Phrase, and Is Not Empty. Note that this requires reindexing and will be fully functional with the completion of the July reindexing. See Performing an Advanced Search for more information.
Idea Exchange URM-97712For an All titles searches using the Subjects index, the following matching criteria were added to the Advanced search options: Is Empty, Not Contains Keywords, Not Equals, Not Contains Phrase, and Is Not Empty. Note that this requires reindexing and will be fully functional with the completion of the July reindexing. See Performing an Advanced Search for more information.
Semi-Annual Reindexing
July 2019 Resource Management SF: 00485622 00496319 00518183 00519338 00547653 00148764 00150122 00216781 00431291 00004825 00015578 00093413 00584845 00535079 00567724 00593692 URM-96824 URM-77527 URM-85110 URM-25780 URM-98593 URM-106338 URM-98206 URM-98147
During July, the semi-annual reindexing (described in greater detail here) will be run. Previously and in this release, features were announced that require reindexing to be fully functional. The July semi-annual reindexing addresses this requirement. The following list highlights the functions announced that require the July reindexing:
During July, the semi-annual reindexing (described in greater detail here) will be run. Previously and in this release, features were announced that require reindexing to be fully functional. The July semi-annual reindexing addresses this requirement. The following list highlights the functions announced that require the July reindexing:
- In the MD Editor, Browse Shelf Listing > call number sorting previously sorted the 852 holdings field in the alphabetic order of the subfields as follows: h, i, j, k, l, m. This did not take into account that $k is the call number prefix. As of the July production release and when enabled by Ex Libris, selecting call number sorting sorts the call numbers in the following order: k, h, i, j, l, m. This change will be applied as part of the July re-indexing to all customers who do not open a case with Support before July 1st to request otherwise. Note that the display text of call numbers has always taken $k into account and appeared first.
- The sort of call numbers for the type NLM and SUDOC was improved. The change is relevant for the sort of physical items in the repository search and for browse shelf listing.
- The MARC 21 775 $x and $z are now indexed under the ISSN and ISBN indexes, and the MARC 21 775 $u, $x, $y and $z are now indexed under the Standard number index.
- Specific to the UNIMARC - Parallel Data Punctuation Display, when a UNIMARC subfield such as 200 $f or 200 $g starts with and equals sign (=), its regular (ISBD) punctuation is ignored, and the equals sign (=) prefix is used instead.
- Specific to Resource Type definitions of MARC 21 bibliographic records:
- The Textual - Component Part resource type was canceled.
- The Book chapter - Electronic and Book chapter - Physical resource types were changed to Monographic component part - Electronic and Monographic component part - Physical, respectively.
- The Journal article - Electronic and Journal article - Physical resource types were changed to Serial component part - Electronic and Serial component part - Physical, respectively.
- For the CNMARC field 200 (title), display elements are now created according to the original cataloging order of the subfields. In addition, the appropriate punctuation is added between the subfields.
- See Authority Search Indexes.
- See Normalized Apostrophe in Alma Repository Search.
- The values for Network Number in Analytics is now taken from the search field instead of the display field. This corrects the issue where Analytics sometimes removed leading zeros for Network Number.
- See UDC Sorting for Browse Bibliographic Headings.
- Subfields of MARC 21, UNIMARC, and CNMARC authority record fields used to create display, sorting, and search elements, were extracted in alphabetical order rather than in cataloging order. This was fixed. As a result, additional bibliographic record elements were created. For MARC 21 display elements, this includes 5XX note fields (excluding 59X, 520 and 505), 59X local note fields, and 69X local subjects. For MARC 21 search elements, this includes 59X local notes, 9XX local fields, 09X local call numbers, and 69X local subjects. For UNIMARC and CNMARC, the display elements include 69X local subjects. Search elements include 69X Other Classification Number, 3XX notes, 9XX local fields, and 69X local subjects.
- The display of the correct language in Analytics was fixed for CNMARC records when there are multiple 101 fields.
- See Local Param Subfield Delimiters.
- When a holdings record is saved and indexed, its call number type is now determined according to the first 852 field instead of the last. Note that Alma supports only one 852 field per holdings record. With this change, if for some reason there is more than one 852 field, the call number type is derived from the first 852 field.
Agency Search Indexes for Authority Records
July 2019 Resource Management URM-100585 / URM-108695
The following indexes were added for Authorities searches in Alma's repository search:
The following indexes were added for Authorities searches in Alma's repository search:
- 040 $a – Original Cataloging Agency, MARC 21 and GND
- 040 $d – Modifying Agency, MARC 21 and GND
- 801 $b, second indicator 0 – Original Cataloging Agency, UNIMARC and CNMARC
- 801 $b, second indicator 2 – Modifying Agency, UNIMARC and CNMARC
To enable these search options, see the Configuring What Search Indexes Are Available section for more information.
Note that this requires reindexing and will be fully functional with the completion of the July reindexing.
Agency and Language Search Indexes for Bibliographic Records
July 2019 Resource Management URM-100585 / URM-108695
The following indexes were added for bibliographic record searches in Alma's repository search:
The following indexes were added for bibliographic record searches in Alma's repository search:
- 040 $b – Language of cataloging, MARC 21 (KORMARC)
- 100 $a, positions 22-24 – Language of cataloging, UNIMARC and CNMARC
- 801 $b, second indicator 0 – Original Cataloging Agency, UNIMARC and CNMARC
To enable these search options, see the Configuring What Search Indexes Are Available section for more information.
Note that this requires reindexing and will be fully functional with the completion of the July reindexing.
Normalized Apostrophe in Alma Repository Search
July 2019 Resource Management URM-105202
The various UNICODE forms of an apostrophe are now normalized to the standard ASCII apostrophe for Alma Repository Search when searching text fields such as Subject and Title. This functionality is supported for only the default searching language configured for your system. See Regarding the search string on the Searching in Alma page for more information. Note that this change requires reindexing and that it will be fully functional after the completion of the semi-annual reindexing in July.
The various UNICODE forms of an apostrophe are now normalized to the standard ASCII apostrophe for Alma Repository Search when searching text fields such as Subject and Title. This functionality is supported for only the default searching language configured for your system. See Regarding the search string on the Searching in Alma page for more information. Note that this change requires reindexing and that it will be fully functional after the completion of the semi-annual reindexing in July.
UDC Sorting for Browse Bibliographic Headings
July 2019 Resource Management SF: 00374379 00426593 URM-78055
The Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) bibliographic headings are now sorted according to the UDC standard (http://www.udcc.org/index.php/site/page?view=about_structure) in the browse bibliographic headings component of Alma. This change requires reindexing and will be fully functional with the completion of the semi-annual reindexing that is scheduled to run in July. See Browsing Bibliographic Headings for more information.
The Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) bibliographic headings are now sorted according to the UDC standard (http://www.udcc.org/index.php/site/page?view=about_structure) in the browse bibliographic headings component of Alma. This change requires reindexing and will be fully functional with the completion of the semi-annual reindexing that is scheduled to run in July. See Browsing Bibliographic Headings for more information.
New Bibliographic and Authority Search Indexes
July 2019 Resource Management URM-100910
New indexes were created for bibliographic and authority records for MARC 21/KORMARC, UNIMARC, and CNMARC. With these changes, new search terms were added to the simple and advanced staff search options. See MARC 21 Search Indexes, UNIMARC Search Indexes, CNMARC Search Indexes, and Configuring Search for more information. This change requires reindexing and will be fully functional with the completion of the semi-annual reindexing that is scheduled to run in July.
New indexes were created for bibliographic and authority records for MARC 21/KORMARC, UNIMARC, and CNMARC. With these changes, new search terms were added to the simple and advanced staff search options. See MARC 21 Search Indexes, UNIMARC Search Indexes, CNMARC Search Indexes, and Configuring Search for more information. This change requires reindexing and will be fully functional with the completion of the semi-annual reindexing that is scheduled to run in July.
Authority Search Indexes
July 2019 Resource Management URM-105341
The following new indexes were added for Authority search:
The following new indexes were added for Authority search:
- Genre form (auth_genre_form)
This is for MARC 21 only. Previously, the 155, 455, and 555 fields were mapped to the Subject search index. Now, these fields are instead mapped to the Genre form index.
- LCCN prefix (lccn_prefix)
This is for MARC 21 only. The alphabetic characters that begin the 010 $a such as no, sh, or sj are indexed. With this index, you can restrict an authorities subject search to a certain type. The following is the list of search values provided for this search index:
- n - Name or subject authority record keyed by LC
- nb - Name or subject authority record originating in the British Library
- nr - Name or subject authority record originating in the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN)
- no - Name or subject authority record originating in the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC)
- sh - LCSH subject authority record distributed by LC
- sj - Juvenile subject authority keyed by LC and distributed in the LC Annotated Children's Cataloging Program
- sp - Subject authority proposal record in the LC catalog. (When it is approved, the record is distributed with the prefix sh.)
The LC Control No. Prefix search option can be used to access this index.
These index changes will be fully functional after the completion of the July semi-annual reindexing.
Authority Priorities
July 2019 Resource Management SF: 00358931 URM-77121
Alma now supports authority priorities for bibliographic records with a second indicator of 7. See Authority Priorities for more information.
Alma now supports authority priorities for bibliographic records with a second indicator of 7. See Authority Priorities for more information.
UNIMARC Authority X41 and X42 Fields
July 2019 Resource Management URM-103811
The following UNIMARC authority fields were added to support the Alma authority control workflow for linking, preferred term correction, and F3 for UNIMARC:
The following UNIMARC authority fields were added to support the Alma authority control workflow for linking, preferred term correction, and F3 for UNIMARC:
- 241 AUTHORIZED ACCESS POINT – NAME / TITLE (WORK)
- 441 VARIANT ACCESS POINT – NAME / TITLE (WORK)
- 541 RELATED ACCESS POINT – NAME / TITLE (WORK)
- 741 AUTHORIZED ACCESS POINT IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE AND/OR SCRIPT – NAME / TITLE (WORK)
- 242 AUTHORIZED ACCESS POINT – NAME / TITLE (EXPRESSION)
- 442 VARIANT ACCESS POINT – NAME / TITLE (EXPRESSION)
- 542 RELATED ACCESS POINT – NAME / TITLE (EXPRESSION)
- 742 AUTHORIZED ACCESS POINT IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE AND/OR SCRIPT – NAME / TITLE (EXPRESSION)
See Configuring Cataloging for more information.
Local Portfolio Language
July 2019 Resource Management SF: 00138784 URM-97850
You can now specify the portfolio language when creating new portfolios. Previously, English (eng) was specified by default. The language information can be entered on the New Portfolio page (when creating a new portfolio) or from the Portfolio Loader spreadsheet and is placed in the new bibliographic record's 008 (positions 35-37) for MARC 21 / KORMARC and the 101 0# $a for UNIMARC / CNMARC. Once entered, the language information is part of the export data when you use the Extended Export feature. See Managing Electronic Resources and Portfolio Loader for more information.
You can now specify the portfolio language when creating new portfolios. Previously, English (eng) was specified by default. The language information can be entered on the New Portfolio page (when creating a new portfolio) or from the Portfolio Loader spreadsheet and is placed in the new bibliographic record's 008 (positions 35-37) for MARC 21 / KORMARC and the 101 0# $a for UNIMARC / CNMARC. Once entered, the language information is part of the export data when you use the Extended Export feature. See Managing Electronic Resources and Portfolio Loader for more information.
Thumbnail Selection for Digital Titles
July 2019 Digital Resource Management SF: 00657096 URM-105193
You can now select the thumbnail that appears for digital titles in the search results and Digital Resource Editor. To support this feature, a new Properties tab now appears in the Digital Resource Editor:
You can now select the thumbnail that appears for digital titles in the search results and Digital Resource Editor. To support this feature, a new Properties tab now appears in the Digital Resource Editor:
Properties Tab
You have the following options for selecting a thumbnail for the representation:
- Select the folder icon next to the Thumbnail Upload field and select an image from your system.
- Select Thumbnail Selection and select a digital file from the representation.
- Select Use Default Thumbnail to use the first file of the representation as the the thumbnail.
OAI Testing Added to Remote Repository Configuration
July 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-87342
You can now test the OAI connection when configuring remote repositories. You no longer have to create an import profile to run this test.
You can now test the OAI connection when configuring remote repositories. You no longer have to create an import profile to run this test.
To support this new functionality, the following UI elements were added to the remote repository configuration pages:
- The Authentication checkbox was added to the general Information tab of the Remote Digital Repository Details page. When selected, the Username and Password fields appear that allow you to add OAI authentication information.
OAI Authentication - The Test and Save button was added to each tab of the Remote Digital Repository Details page. When selecting this button, the OAI Test page appears that allows you to test the OAI connection.
OAI Test Page
For more information, see Managing Remote Digital Repositories.
Limit Access Rights According to Concurrent Users
July 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-1721
You can now limit access rights to digital representations according to the number of concurrent users within a specific time frame. To support this feature, Concurrent Users is now available as an access rights parameter:
You can now limit access rights to digital representations according to the number of concurrent users within a specific time frame. To support this feature, Concurrent Users is now available as an access rights parameter:
Access Rights – Concurrent Users
To configure the Concurrent Users parameter, enter the maximum number of concurrent users allowed to view the representation and the time frame and click Add Parameter.
ViewIt Now Displays List of Representations
July 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-101015
You can now configure the ViewIt action to group the list of services by representations with links to the available viewers. Previously, representations were grouped by viewer. For example:
You can now configure the ViewIt action to group the list of services by representations with links to the available viewers. Previously, representations were grouped by viewer. For example:
List of Representations with Available Viewers
To configure ViewIt to display a list of representations, select Representation from the Group Representation Delivery Services by drop-down list (Configuration > Fulfillment > Display Interface Logic > Other Settings):
Display List of Representations
Temporary Locations for Dematic Remote Storage
July 2019 Fulfillment SF: 537512 541085 637988 URM-96284
A temporary item removal from or addition to remote storage will no longer update the Dematic database.
A temporary item removal from or addition to remote storage will no longer update the Dematic database.
The Item Delete message will now only be sent when:
- The previous current location is storage and the current location is not storage, or they are not the same remote storage.
- The permanent location is not storage.
The Item Add message will now only be sent when the item's current location is changed from a non-storage location to a storage location and the previous permanent location was not a storage location (or not the same storage location).
By default, this new feature is disabled. In order to enable it, you must set the temp_asrs_report_temporary_change parameter to false. The temporary parameter will be deleted in a coming release and this behavior will be the standard behavior.
At the time that the parameter is enabled, or when the parameter is removed (in a future release) and the behavior becomes standard, if an item's permanent location is remote storage but the item is in a non-remote storage temporary location,some items that were removed from storage may not be added back to the remote storage or may be removed again.
Select Request Locations
July 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange SF: 497109 552740 647394 672739 URM-67793
When a hold request is created and the holdings to fulfill the request is not available in the selected pickup location, Alma now matches the holdings to the request using additional parameters as follows:
Idea Exchange SF: 497109 552740 647394 672739 URM-67793When a hold request is created and the holdings to fulfill the request is not available in the selected pickup location, Alma now matches the holdings to the request using additional parameters as follows:
- Alma attempts to locate a holdings belonging to another library on the same campus as the pickup location.
- If no holdings is found on the same campus, more than one holdings exists in different locations on the campus, or if no campuses have been defined, Alma checks the Transit Time Rules. If a rule exists for this holdings and the new check box, Use for Hold Request Pickup Calculation, is selected, Alma chooses this holdings. The check box is displayed only when the From Library and To Library fields are configured and the Material Type field is Any. By default, the check box is not selected. See Adding a Transit Time Rule.
- If more than one holdings has a transit time rule, then the holding with the shortest transit time is selected.
From Library and To Library are the only input parameters on the transit time rule considered for the location calculation.
On the Pick-Up Requested Resources page, if the Skip Location action is available (the request can be fulfilled by at least one other location that the request has not been previously assigned to), a Manual Skip Location action now displays in addition to the Skip Location action. The manual action suggests a list of alternative locations by which the request may be fulfilled, sorted in the following order:
- Holdings in remote storage with the Prefer Over Other Locations check box selected (see Adding a Remote Storage Facility).
- Holdings whose owning library matches the requested pickup library.
- Holdings on the same campus.
- All other holdings that can fulfill the request but are not at this campus or if no campuses have been defined, the locations will be sorted by their transit time to the pickup location, if a transit time rule between the pickup location library and the location holding library has been defined and if the rule supports Hold Request Pickup Calculation.
- Holdings in remote storage that do not have the Prefer Over Other Locations check box selected.
- Holdings that were previously assigned and changed by the Skip Location action.
The same logic is automatically applied if the Skip Location action is used, automatically selecting the first location as per the sorting method described above.
See Pickup at Shelf.
Hourly Options for Booking Requests
July 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange SF: 542813 195296 URM-41837
A new booking policy in the Terms of Use, Booking Resolution, allows you to define the allowed resolution of your booking request. The policy has four values:
Idea Exchange SF: 542813 195296 URM-41837A new booking policy in the Terms of Use, Booking Resolution, allows you to define the allowed resolution of your booking request. The policy has four values:
- Minutes - The booking will be defined by date, hour, and minutes.
- Hours - The booking will be defined by date and hour.
- Days - The booking will be defined by date only.
- Days plus overnight - The end time of the booking will be defined to the next opening time of the library.
The default value is Minutes, which maintains the previous functionality.
When a booking request is created in Alma or Primo, the start and end time fields are now dependent on the value in this policy. If the value is Minutes, time fields are displayed with hours and minutes. If the value is Days or Days plus overnight, the time fields are hidden. If the value is Hours, time fields are displayed with hours and minutes but a warning message indicates that only hours should be selected.
This feature is currently available only to Alma and Primo customers.
If multiple items exist for the same title with different booking resolutions (due to different terms of use), the least specific resolution is used.
Support for ISO 18626 Protocol
July 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing URM-108429
Alma now supports the new ISO ILL protocol. When adding or editing resource sharing partners, ISO 18626 appears under the list of Profile Types.
Alma now supports the new ISO ILL protocol. When adding or editing resource sharing partners, ISO 18626 appears under the list of Profile Types.
To enable support for this protocol, please contact Ex Libris customer support.
See Resource Sharing Partners and the Developer Network.
Reactivate Resource Sharing Requests
July 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing NERS Enhancement (ID #5659) URM-107111
For completed, peer to peer resource sharing requests, a new row action, Reactivate Request, is now available on the Resource Sharing Task List. This action may be used to reactivate a request that has been mistakenly marked as completed. The option is available on both the borrowing and lending request task list. It is also possible to send a general message to the peer partner at the time the request is reactivated.
NERS Enhancement (ID #5659) URM-107111For completed, peer to peer resource sharing requests, a new row action, Reactivate Request, is now available on the Resource Sharing Task List. This action may be used to reactivate a request that has been mistakenly marked as completed. The option is available on both the borrowing and lending request task list. It is also possible to send a general message to the peer partner at the time the request is reactivated.
For borrowing requests, a temporary item is recreated using the previous barcode with the process status set to In resource sharing. The library and location of the item are set to the same values as when the item was initially created. If the item is not yet on loan, a hold request is reinitiated. You can reinitiate the loan manually. If no loan is initiated, the request status is Request Reactivated.
For lending requests, the shipped item's process status is set to In resource sharing and the item is relinked. The request status is Request Reactivated. If the item is in another process, an error is displayed.
For both borrowing and lending, the request's original external ID is maintained.
This option is enabled for Fulfillment Services Managers. To enable for Fulfillment Services Operators, contact Ex Libris support. Note that activating an option on the Workflow Profile is also required.
Default User Group for Fulfillment Network Locate
July 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing / Collaborative Networks SF: 521843 URM-79696
You can now define a default user group which will be used for the locate process and rules calculation for fulfillment network partners.
You can now define a default user group which will be used for the locate process and rules calculation for fulfillment network partners.
The default user group for the fulfillment network locate process and its rules calculation is defined on the lender side in the default_user_group_for_fulfillment_network_locate parameter. Any of the institution level user group codes can be used in the parameter. By default, the parameter is empty, which preserves the previous behavior.
When a locate process is executed as part of a borrowing resource sharing request with a fulfillment network partner, if the Check item requestability option in the locate profile parameters in set to true, Alma uses the default user group for the requestability checks.
Preferred Name Display
July 2019 Administration and Infrastructure Idea Exchange SF: 673089 URM-101771
When Preferred First Name, Preferred Middle Name, or Preferred Last Name, are populated on the User Details page, they now replace the main First Name, Middle Name and Last Name fields in all places that the name appears within Alma, for example, letters, Manage Patron Services, and the Active Hold Shelf. The Active Hold Shelf also has an option to sort based on the requester preferred name. If this sort option is selected, but no preferred name is available, the main name is used instead.
Idea Exchange SF: 673089 URM-101771When Preferred First Name, Preferred Middle Name, or Preferred Last Name, are populated on the User Details page, they now replace the main First Name, Middle Name and Last Name fields in all places that the name appears within Alma, for example, letters, Manage Patron Services, and the Active Hold Shelf. The Active Hold Shelf also has an option to sort based on the requester preferred name. If this sort option is selected, but no preferred name is available, the main name is used instead.
The preferred name override is now the default behavior but can be overridden on the Display User Name page by selecting a different value in the Displayed Name Type field. The options are:
- Preferred - As described above, when chosen, any preferred user name fields that are entered will display instead of the main name fields.
- Main - The main names are displayed, which is the prior behavior.
- Both - The preferred name displays in parentheses after the main name.
The preferred names can also be set in SIS or the API. See API Docs in the Developer Network. The uploaded values of the preferred names can be manually overridden in the Alma interface.
If one preferred name field is entered but not the others, whatever value is in the main name fields will be automatically populated in the other preferred name fields. So, for instance, if Preferred First Name is entered, the values of Middle Name and Last Name will be filled into their corresponding preferred name field. The preferred name values that are automatically updated can be modified by SIS or API, as well as manually via the Alma interface.
See Managing Users.
Pop-Up User Notes
July 2019 Administration and Infrastructure Idea Exchange URM-78380
User notes can now be defined to appear as pop-up notes in Manage Patron Services so that the librarian can inform the patron of any important messages. When a user note is created, a new check-box is available, Pop up note. When selected, the note will display as a pop-up window when the operator enters Manage Patron Users. If a block message also exists for the user, both messages will display in the same pop-up window.
Idea Exchange URM-78380User notes can now be defined to appear as pop-up notes in Manage Patron Services so that the librarian can inform the patron of any important messages. When a user note is created, a new check-box is available, Pop up note. When selected, the note will display as a pop-up window when the operator enters Manage Patron Users. If a block message also exists for the user, both messages will display in the same pop-up window.
See Managing User Notes.
Deliver Analytics Report with FTP
July 2019 Analytics URM-106287
You can now configure scheduled analytics reports to be placed on an FTP server. This can be useful, for example, if you want to make the report available to other departments in your institution.
You can now configure scheduled analytics reports to be placed on an FTP server. This can be useful, for example, if you want to make the report available to other departments in your institution.
You configure Alma Analytics to deliver a report to an FTP server on the Analytics Objects List page (Configuration Menu > Analytics > Analytics Objects List or Analytics > Analytics Objects > Analytics Objects List).
Select FTP, select an FTP configuration, and enter a sub-directory.
Deliver Analytics Report with FTP
When the report runs it is sent to the FTP server. For more information, see Running Analytics Reports and Displaying Them in Alma.
For a video that explains how to share a scheduled report via FTP, see Share Alma Analytics Scheduled Reports via FTP.
Mandatory System Field for New Order API Integration Profile
July 2019 APIs URM-75231
The System field is now mandatory for the New Order API integration profile. The field values include:
The System field is now mandatory for the New Order API integration profile. The field values include:
- Basware
- Homegrown
- Multiple
- OASIS ProQuest
- Other
- GOBI YBP
Add VAT Code to Invoice Creation
June 2019 Acquisitions URM-96013
The VAT code can now be added to a new invoice when creating the invoice from EDI or an Excel upload. When using an Excel upload, the VAT code is not mandatory. When using EDI, the new Use VAT Code field, on the EDI Information tab of the Vendor Details page, must be selected. If your institution does not have the VAT Codes table populated, the field is disabled.
The VAT code can now be added to a new invoice when creating the invoice from EDI or an Excel upload. When using an Excel upload, the VAT code is not mandatory. When using EDI, the new Use VAT Code field, on the EDI Information tab of the Vendor Details page, must be selected. If your institution does not have the VAT Codes table populated, the field is disabled.
If the VAT code is included and the code exists in the VAT Codes table, the amount and percent is calculated based on the table. If the VAT code in the upload does not exist in the VAT Code table, the uploaded VAT code is ignored.
Add VAT Type Options for EDI Invoices
June 2019 Acquisitions URM-97274
When creating an EDI invoice, you can now select the VAT Type of invoices coming from this vendor in EDI. When calculating VAT in the invoice, Alma checks the value in this field, which defaults to Line Exclusive.
When creating an EDI invoice, you can now select the VAT Type of invoices coming from this vendor in EDI. When calculating VAT in the invoice, Alma checks the value in this field, which defaults to Line Exclusive.
The VAT Types are:
- Exclusive - The total price of the invoice excludes the VAT. The VAT calculation is the Total line amount = Total price + VAT. So, for example, if the total invoice price is 100 USD and the VAT is 10% exclusive, the price is 100 USD and the VAT is 10 USD. The total line amount is 110 USD.
- Line Exclusive - The Total price of the invoice includes the VAT while the total line amount does not. Alma calculates the VAT for each invoice line and adds the amount to the lines.
- Inclusive - The total price of the invoice includes the VAT. The VAT calculation is Total Amount - (Total Amount / (1 + VAT Percentage) ). So, for example, if the total price is 100 USD, and the VAT is 10%, VAT = 100 - (100 /(1.1) ) = 9.9. The price is 90.1 and the VAT amount is 9.9.
Type-Ahead for Funds and Vendors in Purchase Requests
June 2019 Acquisitions URM-96345
Type-ahead functionality is now available for the Fund and Vendor fields in Purchase Requests.
Type-ahead functionality is now available for the Fund and Vendor fields in Purchase Requests.
Free Text Note in ORDERS EDI Message
June 2019 Acquisitions URM-96014
You can now add additional PO Line fields to the ORDERS EDI file. The available fields are shown in the EDI Vendor Note Fields table. The options are:
You can now add additional PO Line fields to the ORDERS EDI file. The available fields are shown in the EDI Vendor Note Fields table. The options are:
- Fund Description
- PO Line Type
- Receiving Note
- Rush
- Reporting Code
- Secondary Reporting Code
- Tertiary Reporting Code
You can define which of these fields are added to the file at the vendor level. On the EDI Information tab of the Vendor page, select POs. The EDI Vendor Note Fields drop down box appears. The selected fields appear in the Note To Vendor field of the EDI file.
Reload SUSHI File
June 2019 Acquisitions URM-100030
It is now possible to reload a COUNTER report from the Load Usage Data list for invalid and partially loaded SUSHI files. The data related to the existing report, as determined by file_id, is deleted and the load process is rerun.
It is now possible to reload a COUNTER report from the Load Usage Data list for invalid and partially loaded SUSHI files. The data related to the existing report, as determined by file_id, is deleted and the load process is rerun.
A Reload row action now appears for rows on the Load Usage Data list. The action is visible only for Invalid and Partially Loaded SUSHI files. When the user confirms the reload, the data of the existing file is deleted and the data is sent again.
Watch the Reload Usage Data Files That Failed to Load video (1:10 min).
Add Error Description and Resolution to File Upload Data
June 2019 Acquisitions URM-100029
COUNTER reports that end with load errors now include error messages with a recommended solution, and an action, if available.
COUNTER reports that end with load errors now include error messages with a recommended solution, and an action, if available.
Icon Indicators for Electronic Portfolios and Electronic Collections in Community Tab Search Results
June 2019 Resource Management URM-60470 NERS Enhancement (ID #4787)
Icon indicators that show the status of electronic collections (activated/not activated, available/not available) were added to the Community tab in the Electronic portfolios and Electronic titles search results. With these indicators, you can now more easily identify portfolios that are part of active collections. See Record Lists for more information.
NERS Enhancement (ID #4787)Icon indicators that show the status of electronic collections (activated/not activated, available/not available) were added to the Community tab in the Electronic portfolios and Electronic titles search results. With these indicators, you can now more easily identify portfolios that are part of active collections. See Record Lists for more information.
List of Items Table
June 2019 Resource Management URM-59057
The List of Items tables now have the following filters: Year, Volume, Description, and Receive Date. See Working with the List of Items for more information.
The List of Items tables now have the following filters: Year, Volume, Description, and Receive Date. See Working with the List of Items for more information.
Watch the Filter a List of Items video (0:47 min).
Original Cataloging Agency
June 2019 Resource Management URM-36269
With simple and advanced search, you may now search for bibliographic, all titles records using Original Cataloging Agency for your search criteria. For more information, see Configuring Search and MARC 21 Search Indexes.
With simple and advanced search, you may now search for bibliographic, all titles records using Original Cataloging Agency for your search criteria. For more information, see Configuring Search and MARC 21 Search Indexes.
3XX Authority Control Fields
June 2019 Resource Management URM-102521
Alma now offers full authority control for the 380, 385, 386, and 388 fields, including F3 linking from the MD Editor, publishing to Primo with headings enrichment, search by non-preferred terms and preferred-term correction.
Alma now offers full authority control for the 380, 385, 386, and 388 fields, including F3 linking from the MD Editor, publishing to Primo with headings enrichment, search by non-preferred terms and preferred-term correction.
Additionally, when editing authority records in the MD Editor, it is now possible to browse authority headings using F3 on the 368, 370, 372, 373, and 374 fields.
See 3XX Bibliographic Record Control Fields and 3XX Authority Record Control Fields for more information.
Duplicate Title Analysis Report
June 2019 Resource Management URM-104881
Two new columns were added to the Duplicate Title Analysis report, Resource Type and Held By (for the Network Zone only). See Using Duplicate Title Analysis for more information.
Two new columns were added to the Duplicate Title Analysis report, Resource Type and Held By (for the Network Zone only). See Using Duplicate Title Analysis for more information.
Distributed Electronic Resource Management – Support for Upload Electronic Holdings
June 2019 Resource Management URM-104076
Distributed electronic resource management support is now available for the Elsevier, Ovid, and Springer Upload Electronic Holdings integration profiles. With these new options, you can create mutliple integration profiles of the same type and schedule them to run at the same time. For more information, see Upload Electronic Holdings from Elsevier, Upload Electronic Holdings from Ovid, and Upload Electronic Holdings from Springer.
Distributed electronic resource management support is now available for the Elsevier, Ovid, and Springer Upload Electronic Holdings integration profiles. With these new options, you can create mutliple integration profiles of the same type and schedule them to run at the same time. For more information, see Upload Electronic Holdings from Elsevier, Upload Electronic Holdings from Ovid, and Upload Electronic Holdings from Springer.
Link Users for Network Zone
June 2019 Fulfillment / Collaborative Networks SF: 00622866 URM-86610
This enhancement is relevant for institutions that are part a network that is using Central User Management (see here).
When creating a linked user in the target institution, Alma now checks first in the Network Zone Setup to determine if both institutions are set to share users. If they are, the user in the target institution is linked directly to the Network Zone user. If one of the institutions (or both) are not set to share users, then the user is copied from the source institution to the target institution.
Unique Item Barcodes for Fulfillment Networks
June 2019 Fulfillment / Collaborative Networks URM-54306
You can now define a fulfillment network as having unique item barcodes. Depending on the setup, you may be able to bypass the owning institution selection step.
You can now define a fulfillment network as having unique item barcodes. Depending on the setup, you may be able to bypass the owning institution selection step.
The fulfillment_network_unique_barcodes parameter can be set to:
- FULL - Use this option if barcodes are unique across all members of the fulfillment network and are not duplicated. The Item Owner drop-down list does not appear on the Manage Patron Services, Return Items, or Scan In pages. Alma searches for the barcode, first locally, then in all other institutions. The search completes as soon as the barcode is matched and the processing continues automatically.
- NONE - Barcodes are not unique. All previous behavior is retained.
New Options for Closed Library Due Date Management
June 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange SF: 00475640 URM-67811
The Closed Library Due Date Management policy includes the following new values to support keeping the original time and change only the date if the due date falls on a closed day:
Idea Exchange SF: 00475640 URM-67811The Closed Library Due Date Management policy includes the following new values to support keeping the original time and change only the date if the due date falls on a closed day:
- Move to next open day (same hour) - When Alma calculates a loan due date that falls on a closed day (loan, recall, or renew), the due date is set to the next open date with the original due date time.
- Move to previous open day (same hour) - Alma sets the due date to the previous open date with the original time.
NetPunkt System Integration – OpenReceipt
June 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing URM-59926
With the Netpunkt integration, Alma is now able to take OpenReceipt messages from the Netpunkt Danish ILL system and create resource sharing borrowing requests in Alma. See Integrating Alma with the Netpunkt ILL System for more information.
With the Netpunkt integration, Alma is now able to take OpenReceipt messages from the Netpunkt Danish ILL system and create resource sharing borrowing requests in Alma. See Integrating Alma with the Netpunkt ILL System for more information.
Collection Translations
June 2019 Digital Resource Management SF: 00660006 URM-100141
You can now translate the name and description of collections when you have multiple languages configured. The translated name and description appear when you select the language from a drop-down list. To support this feature, the Translation Information icon appears next to the Name and Description fields when editing collections.
You can now translate the name and description of collections when you have multiple languages configured. The translated name and description appear when you select the language from a drop-down list. To support this feature, the Translation Information icon appears next to the Name and Description fields when editing collections.
Collection Translations
For more information, see Translate Information Icon.
Expand MARC Metadata Fields Displayed in Alma Viewers
June 2019 Digital Resource Management SF: 00623558 URM-100285
The list of MARC metadata fields that can appear in the Alma viewers has been expanded (Configuration > Fulfillment > Digital Fulfillment > Delivery Profiles Metadata). For more information, see Configuring Delivery Profiles Metadata.
The list of MARC metadata fields that can appear in the Alma viewers has been expanded (Configuration > Fulfillment > Digital Fulfillment > Delivery Profiles Metadata). For more information, see Configuring Delivery Profiles Metadata.
For Primo VE customers, you can now configure the metadata fields of any metadata standard that appear in the Alma viewers from the same configuration page as you configure the metadata fields for the Primo VE Services page. This way, the same metadata fields appear in both the Primo VE Services page and in the Alma viewers. To support this enhancement, the Use Primo Metadata Fields for Delivery check box was added to Configuration > Fulfillment > Discovery Interface Display Logic > Other Settings:
Use Primo Metadata Fields for Delivery
When this checkbox is selected, metadata fields for the viewers are configured from the Full Display Details page (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Configure Views Full Record Services > Details> Configure), the Delimiter for Grouping Repeated Delivery Metadata field is disabled, the option to Hide Repeated Labels for the Alma Viewer in Configuration > Fulfillment > Discovery Interface Display Logic > Viewer Services > Alma Viewer does not appear, and the option to configure the viewer metadata fields from Configuration > Fulfillment > Delivery Profiles Metadata is not available.
In addition, when you select this checkbox, the Display in Viewer column appears on the Full Display Details page.
Display in Viewer
Clear the Display in Viewer checkbox for any field that you do not want to appear in the Alma viewers.
Spanish Online Help
June 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-105362
Spanish online help pages are now available when selecting help in Alma while using the Spanish interface.
Spanish online help pages are now available when selecting help in Alma while using the Spanish interface.
Alma Known Issues Fix Schedule
June 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-108301
The Alma Known Issues Fix Schedule lists known issues that are planned to be corrected in upcoming releases. This feature enables libraries to have a clear view of upcoming corrections. The list includes a description and case numbers and has a number of filters to allow for easy review.
The Alma Known Issues Fix Schedule lists known issues that are planned to be corrected in upcoming releases. This feature enables libraries to have a clear view of upcoming corrections. The list includes a description and case numbers and has a number of filters to allow for easy review.
This feature can be viewed on the Alma Known Issues Fix Schedule page, which can be accessed by selecting Alma Known Issues Fix Schedule in the Help menu while on any page. To view this page, a user must have the Known Issues Operator role. For more information, see The Persistent Menu and Alma Known Issues: Q&A.
Facets on the Edit Citations and Reading Lists Task List Pages
May 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves URM-97164 URM-101751
Facets were added in place of filters on the Edit Citations and Reading Lists Task List pages for all customers.
Facets were added in place of filters on the Edit Citations and Reading Lists Task List pages for all customers.
On the Edit Citations page, all filters were moved to facets. In addition, the facets Processing Department, List Status, and License Type were added as facets. In addition, a Sort By feature was added to the page, with the options Last created, Last modified, Reading list name, and Citation title.
Edit Citations
On the Reading Lists Task List page, the Processing Department, Status, Publication Status, and List Modification Date filters were changed to facets. List Creation Date and Request for Review (date) were added as facets. Alerts remains as a filter.
Reading Lists Task List
Published was added as an option for the publication status facet on both pages. Published matches all publication options other than Archived or Deleted. In addition, the processing department Undefined matches any reading list that does not have an associated course.
Summary of the new Reading Lists Task List Page Facets/Filters:
- The page includes the facets Processing Department, Status, Publication Status, List creation date, List modification date, and Request for review, as well as the filter Alerts.
- The status Processing matches any reading list that is not marked as Complete, including Inactive or Declined.
- For publication status, Published matches all reading lists that are not Draft, Archived, or Deleted, and Active (which is selected by default) matches all reading lists that are not Archived or Deleted.
- The processing department Undefined matches any reading list that does not have an associated course.
Summary of the new Edit Citations Facets/Filters:
- The page includes the facets: Course Status, Processing Department, List Status, List Assigned To, Publication Status, Section Tags, Citation Status, Resource Locate, Citation Tags, Material Type, Copyright Status, License Type, Alerts.
- For citation status, Not Complete matches any citation whose status is not Complete.
- For publication status, Published matches all reading lists that are not Draft, Archived, or Deleted.
- The processing department Undefined matches any reading list that does not have an associated course.
Limit DARA Recommendation Types
April 2019 DARA URM-103687
You can now limit the types of recommendations that DARA displays. This is useful if you know that certain types of recommendations are not relevant for your institution.
You can now limit the types of recommendations that DARA displays. This is useful if you know that certain types of recommendations are not relevant for your institution.
To limit the types of recommendations that DARA displays, select the types that you do not want displayed from the Do not generate the following recommendation types for my institution drop-down list on the Data Sharing Profile page (Configuration > General > General Configuration> Data Sharing Profile.)
Limit DARA Recommendation Types
Automatic Price When Creating PO Line from Review Results in Check Availability and Pricing
April 2019 Acquisitions URM-98036
Creating a PO line from the Check Pricing and Availability page now automatically copies the price and currency of the relevant item into the PO line. If the PO line is created in another currency, an exchange rate is calculated using the current date as an exchange rate date. In addition, the vendor information is automatically copied into the new PO Line.
Creating a PO line from the Check Pricing and Availability page now automatically copies the price and currency of the relevant item into the PO line. If the PO line is created in another currency, an exchange rate is calculated using the current date as an exchange rate date. In addition, the vendor information is automatically copied into the new PO Line.
Change Funds in Invoice Lines
April 2019 Acquisitions URM-99562
It is now possible to select one, many, or all invoice lines on the Invoice Details page and add or replace funds for the selected invoice lines.
It is now possible to select one, many, or all invoice lines on the Invoice Details page and add or replace funds for the selected invoice lines.
Invoice Details Page
When you select one or more invoice line and select Add/Replace Selected Fund, a pop-up window enables you to pick the fund to add/replace to all selected invoice lines. If the invoice line does not have a fund, Alma adds the fund. If the invoice line already has a fund, Alma replaces the existing fund with the selected fund. Alma checks the fund to make sure it has enough money and is from the relevant fiscal period. If it is not eligible to be added, Alma displays an error message.
Retry SUSHI Harvesting
April 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00467870 00610245 00611292 00619137 URM-100233
When the SUSHI Harvesting job receives a response that indicates that the report will be available at a later time, Alma now automatically retries a random amount of time later. If the error persists, Alma retries a number of such iterations, increasing the retry interval each time, until the attempt is successful or reaches a maximum number of retries.
When the SUSHI Harvesting job receives a response that indicates that the report will be available at a later time, Alma now automatically retries a random amount of time later. If the error persists, Alma retries a number of such iterations, increasing the retry interval each time, until the attempt is successful or reaches a maximum number of retries.
Global Success Rates in the Usage Data Loader
April 2019 Acquisitions URM-100027
The Usage Data Loader page now includes a column that indicates the global success rate of the report type for that month. The number is a link to the relevant SUSHI Account Details page.
The Usage Data Loader page now includes a column that indicates the global success rate of the report type for that month. The number is a link to the relevant SUSHI Account Details page.
New SUSHI Vendor
April 2019 Acquisitions URM-105264
The Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association is now available as a SUSHI vendor. It supports reports types:
The Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association is now available as a SUSHI vendor. It supports reports types:
- JR1
- JR1GOA
- JR2
- JR5
- BR3
- PR1
Authority Search Results
April 2019 Resource Management SF: 00494143 00207933 URM-19103
Two additional fields appear in authority search results, Vocabulary and Originating System ID. These fields are available for all vocabularies. In addition, Ranking is now available as a sort option for the results.
Two additional fields appear in authority search results, Vocabulary and Originating System ID. These fields are available for all vocabularies. In addition, Ranking is now available as a sort option for the results.
Watch the Sort Authorities Search Results by Rank video (1:07 min).
General Publishing Profile Duplicate Action
April 2019 Resource Management URM-100748
For general publishing profiles, there is a new Duplicate action that can be used to duplicate an existing profile. See Working with an Existing General Publishing Profile for more information.
For general publishing profiles, there is a new Duplicate action that can be used to duplicate an existing profile. See Working with an Existing General Publishing Profile for more information.
PubMed
April 2019 Resource Management SF: 00582428 00610965 00618314 00640533 00641937 URM-104499
To address the changes made by PubMed to its FTP processing (from multiple FTPs to a single FTP), the Alma PubMed publishing profile now handles the new PubMed process. See the PubMed Publishing Profile Configuration Options table for more information.
To address the changes made by PubMed to its FTP processing (from multiple FTPs to a single FTP), the Alma PubMed publishing profile now handles the new PubMed process. See the PubMed Publishing Profile Configuration Options table for more information.
General Publishing – Full Publishing Improvements and New Republish Action
April 2019 Resource Management URM-100829
As part of our continued efforts to improve performance and efficiency, additional changes were implemented for the general publishing process. As described in the March release, these changes ensure that your publishing jobs are completed more quickly and within predictable timelines. The main improvement is that the General Publishing infrastructure works in an incremental mode. This is the new standard processing mode. Republish and Include all records each time file is published replace the previously available publishing mode options. See below and the Publishing and Inventory Enrichment (General Publishing) section for more information.
As part of our continued efforts to improve performance and efficiency, additional changes were implemented for the general publishing process. As described in the March release, these changes ensure that your publishing jobs are completed more quickly and within predictable timelines. The main improvement is that the General Publishing infrastructure works in an incremental mode. This is the new standard processing mode. Republish and Include all records each time file is published replace the previously available publishing mode options. See below and the Publishing and Inventory Enrichment (General Publishing) section for more information.
We recommend that you test the existing full publishing processes on your sandbox environments. Note the following:
- General publishing jobs that publish to an FTP server have an option to include all records. This option enables including the full set of records in the published FTP files. Existing FTP publishing profiles that were previously configured as Full have this option turned on by default.
- When enriched information needs to be recalculated after enrichment configuration changes (such as a change in Library name or update of normalization rules or enrichment options), records that were not modified since the last run are not published with the new data. To republish the entire set with the new data, a new republishing option, Rebuild Entire Index, is available.
- OAI publishing profiles always work in incremental mode and also include deleted records. However, it is still possible to harvest the full set of records using OIA, which includes the deleted records. To do this, do not specify a From Date parameter on the OAI request. If the target to which you are publishing cannot process record deletions, use FTP publishing with the option to include all records described above. Alternately, use the new Republish option, Rebuild Entire Index, to republish the whole set as new. This option has the same result as the previously available (prior to April 2019) Full publishing mode.
See Publishing and Inventory Enrichment (General Publishing) for more information.
Importing Different Inventory Types
April 2019 Resource Management SF: 00559898 00625088 00627325 00629278 00168668 00223287 00348982 00400376 URM-100237
When you import records with a single match, you can now configure the import profile to use inventory type as a criteria for a match. This enables you to maintain separate bibliographic records for electronic and physical inventory types of the same title. See Single match - match only record with the same inventory type (electronic/physical) for more information.
When you import records with a single match, you can now configure the import profile to use inventory type as a criteria for a match. This enables you to maintain separate bibliographic records for electronic and physical inventory types of the same title. See Single match - match only record with the same inventory type (electronic/physical) for more information.
Receiving Number and Weeding Number Item Sequences
April 2019 Resource Management
To better manage the physical inventory receiving and weeding workflows Alma now provides two new optional item level sequences :
To better manage the physical inventory receiving and weeding workflows Alma now provides two new optional item level sequences :
- Receiving Sequence - Upon receiving workflow, generate a 'Receiving' sequence number that is stored as part of the item.
- Weeding Sequence - When weeding items, generate 'Weeding' sequence number that is stored as part of the item.
Both sequences will be added to Analytics in a future release.
New item sequences are now available for receiving and weeding. With this addition, the Inventory Number feature configuration (previously Configuration Menu > Resources > General > Inventory Number) was expanded to include receiving and weeding, and was renamed Item Sequences (Configuration Menu > Resources > General > Item Sequences). The Receive label will be changed to Receiving in a future release. See Configuring Physical Item Sequences and Managing Physical Resources for more information.
Local Authority Record Edit Option
April 2019 Resource Management Idea Exchange SF: 00171070 00181094 00032996 00033020 00037686 URM-55757
When you use F3 in the MD Editor and view a local authority record, there is a new action Edit to edit the local authority record. Edit is also available when viewing a local authority record using Browse Bibliographic Headings. See Viewing and Linking to an Authority Record for more information.
Idea Exchange SF: 00171070 00181094 00032996 00033020 00037686 URM-55757When you use F3 in the MD Editor and view a local authority record, there is a new action Edit to edit the local authority record. Edit is also available when viewing a local authority record using Browse Bibliographic Headings. See Viewing and Linking to an Authority Record for more information.
Portfolio Loader and Extended Export Group Settings
April 2019 Resource Management URM-104077
The Portfolio Loader and portfolio extended export were expanded to include group settings for coverage. The following columns are now included: GROUP_FROM_YEAR, GROUP_TO_YEAR, GROUP_FROM_MONTH, GROUP_TO_MONTH, GROUP_FROM_DAY, GROUP_TO_DAY, GROUP_FROM_VOLUME, GROUP_TO_VOLUME, GROUP_FROM_ISSUE, GROUP_TO_ISSUE, GROUP_PUBLICATION_DATE_OPERATOR, GROUP_PUBLICATION_DATE_YEAR, GROUP_PUBLICATION_DATE_MONTH, GROUP_PROXY_ENABLE, GROUP_PROXY_SELECTED, GROUP_AUTHENTICATION_NOTES, and GROUP_PUBLIC_NOTES. See Portfolio Loader for more information.
The Portfolio Loader and portfolio extended export were expanded to include group settings for coverage. The following columns are now included: GROUP_FROM_YEAR, GROUP_TO_YEAR, GROUP_FROM_MONTH, GROUP_TO_MONTH, GROUP_FROM_DAY, GROUP_TO_DAY, GROUP_FROM_VOLUME, GROUP_TO_VOLUME, GROUP_FROM_ISSUE, GROUP_TO_ISSUE, GROUP_PUBLICATION_DATE_OPERATOR, GROUP_PUBLICATION_DATE_YEAR, GROUP_PUBLICATION_DATE_MONTH, GROUP_PROXY_ENABLE, GROUP_PROXY_SELECTED, GROUP_AUTHENTICATION_NOTES, and GROUP_PUBLIC_NOTES. See Portfolio Loader for more information.
Additional ID for Hold Request Management
April 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange URM-73766
A new ID, Additional ID, is now available for requests in order to assist with hold shelf sorting. It can be added in the following places:
Idea Exchange URM-73766A new ID, Additional ID, is now available for requests in order to assist with hold shelf sorting. It can be added in the following places:
- Pick from shelf task list - The ID is hidden by default and can be added in the manage column display menu.
- Pick from shelf slips
- Hold shelf slips
- Hold shelf email to the patron
- Circulation desk - When defining the circulation desk, Additional ID appears as one of the values on the Hold shelf sorting drop-down list.
- Active and Expired Hold Shelf task lists - The Additional ID is hidden by default and can be added in the manage column display menu. The Sort by option includes Additional ID. When selected, the whole list is sorted based on this ID. Otherwise, the Additional ID is used as a secondary sort to the primary sort order. So if two or more records have the same primary value, those records then sort on the Additional ID value.
The ID can be added to the XSL files of the above mentioned email and printouts.
Use hold_shelf_additional_id_regex to configure the format of the ID using regular expressions. See Configuring Other Settings (Fulfillment).
Link Network Zone Users to Institution Zone Users
April 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing / Collaborative Networks URM-96875
A new scheduled job is available for Network Zone institutions from the Configuration Menu > User Management > General > User Jobs Configuration page of the Network Zone. This maintenance job is recommended for institutions that use the centrally managed users option on their Network Zone. The job runs routine health check procedures to verify the coherence and completeness of the zone's user network.
A new scheduled job is available for Network Zone institutions from the Configuration Menu > User Management > General > User Jobs Configuration page of the Network Zone. This maintenance job is recommended for institutions that use the centrally managed users option on their Network Zone. The job runs routine health check procedures to verify the coherence and completeness of the zone's user network.
Local Param Subfield Delimiters
April 2019 Analytics SF: 00552735 00607595 00639428 00640249 URM-93330
For local holdings fields that are added as local parameter fields (local param) in Alma Analytics, subfields can be maintained. When enabled for your institution, fields/subfields appear in Alma Analytics with the Alma subfield delimiter (either $$ or ‡) used to delimit the subfield content. This is in addition to the previously available capability for bibliographic fields. See Local Param for more information.
For local holdings fields that are added as local parameter fields (local param) in Alma Analytics, subfields can be maintained. When enabled for your institution, fields/subfields appear in Alma Analytics with the Alma subfield delimiter (either $$ or ‡) used to delimit the subfield content. This is in addition to the previously available capability for bibliographic fields. See Local Param for more information.
Contact Support to enable this feature. Note that reindexing is required to fully implement this capability.
Update Library Opening Hours
April 2019 Administration and Infrastructure Idea Exchange URM-102085
Idea Exchange URM-102085An import action is now available on the Calendar Management page to allow you to bulk update calendars using an Excel spreadsheet.
Watch the Update Library Opening Hours via Excel Import video (3:20 min).
DARA – Data Analysis Recommendation Assistant
March 2019 DARA
DARA
is a new service for Alma that provides you with recommendations to improve your workflows and better optimize your usage of Alma. Currently, DARA is available to optimize your SUSHI vendors. DARA can determine when it is beneficial for you to create a SUSHI account and have usage information harvested automatically from the vendor. DARA guides you through the steps to implement the recommendation. In future releases, additional recommendation types will be added. For more information, see DARA.
DARA
is a new service for Alma that provides you with recommendations to improve your workflows and better optimize your usage of Alma. Currently, DARA is available to optimize your SUSHI vendors. DARA can determine when it is beneficial for you to create a SUSHI account and have usage information harvested automatically from the vendor. DARA guides you through the steps to implement the recommendation. In future releases, additional recommendation types will be added. For more information, see DARA.For a video describing DARA, see Introducing DARA! (1:37 min).
OASIS Availability, Pricing, and Ordering
March 2019 Acquisitions URM-57032 URM-98580
The Check Availability and Pricing tool that was introduced in January 2019 is now available without intervention required from Ex Libris Support. The page enables Purchase Request Operators/Managers and Purchasing Operators/Managers to search ProQuest OASIS (Online Acquisitions and Selection Information System) for resources, view pricing information for the retrieved records, and—for purchasing operator/managers—place orders. The orders can now be placed simultaneously in Alma and OASIS in two new ways.
The Check Availability and Pricing tool that was introduced in January 2019 is now available without intervention required from Ex Libris Support. The page enables Purchase Request Operators/Managers and Purchasing Operators/Managers to search ProQuest OASIS (Online Acquisitions and Selection Information System) for resources, view pricing information for the retrieved records, and—for purchasing operator/managers—place orders. The orders can now be placed simultaneously in Alma and OASIS in two new ways.
- From the Check Availability and Pricing page, selecting the View in External Vendor button takes you directly to OASIS where you can create an order. If the API is configured, the order in OASIS creates an accompanying PO line in Alma.
- From the Check Availability and Pricing page, selecting the Create Order button creates an Alma PO line. Once the PO line details are updated, the order can be sent directly to OASIS by selecting the Integrate with OASIS button on the Purchase Order Line Details page.
Watch the Check Availability and Pricing at Select External Vendors (OASIS and More to Come) video (3:32 min).
Include an Item Description in the Subject of the PO Line Claim Letter
March 2019 Acquisitions URM-85183
The subject of the PO Line Claim letter (letter code: POLineClaimLetter) can now be configured. For all PO line types, the PO line number and title can be included in the email subject. If the PO line type is physical continuous, the item description can also included. For non-predicted continuous orders, the expected received date can be included.
The subject of the PO Line Claim letter (letter code: POLineClaimLetter) can now be configured. For all PO line types, the PO line number and title can be included in the email subject. If the PO line type is physical continuous, the item description can also included. For non-predicted continuous orders, the expected received date can be included.
Managing Vendor Accounts at the Library Level
March 2019 Acquisitions URM-95919
It is now possible to assign users a Vendor Account Manager role, allowing them to manage only the vendor accounts and not the entire vendor record. Vendor account management can be limited to the library level.
It is now possible to assign users a Vendor Account Manager role, allowing them to manage only the vendor accounts and not the entire vendor record. Vendor account management can be limited to the library level.
A vendor account manager in the scope of a library can view only vendor accounts whose vendor type is Material Supplier and are available for this scope. All vendor accounts in this scope can be edited. If a vendor account is available for two libraries and the user has the Vendor Account Manager role in either library, the user can see the vendor account. In order to edit or delete the vendor account, though, the user must have the Vendor Account Manager role in the scope of both libraries.
A Vendor Account Manager in the scope of the institution can view all vendors and edit all vendor accounts in any vendor. See Managing Vendors.
Restore Record Version Privilege
March 2019 Resource Management URM-97716
A new privilege, Restore Record Version, was created for the Cataloger, Catalog Manager, Catalog Administrator, and Cataloger Extended roles to restrict the ability to restore a previous version of a record in the MD Editor. By default, the Restore Record Version privilege is enabled for these roles—that is, no change to the existing functionality. See View Versions for more information. Contact Ex Libris Support if you want to implement this privilege/restriction for one or more of these roles.
A new privilege, Restore Record Version, was created for the Cataloger, Catalog Manager, Catalog Administrator, and Cataloger Extended roles to restrict the ability to restore a previous version of a record in the MD Editor. By default, the Restore Record Version privilege is enabled for these roles—that is, no change to the existing functionality. See View Versions for more information. Contact Ex Libris Support if you want to implement this privilege/restriction for one or more of these roles.
SBN Authority Options
March 2019 Resource Management URM-98150
Additional authority search options are available for SBN. See Searching for SBN Authority Records for more information. The Manage Location Information feature was added for authority records. See Sending Location Information and Updating the UNIMARC 899 Field in Alma for more information.
Additional authority search options are available for SBN. See Searching for SBN Authority Records for more information. The Manage Location Information feature was added for authority records. See Sending Location Information and Updating the UNIMARC 899 Field in Alma for more information.
Related Record Physical Inventory for UNIMARC
March 2019 Resource Management SF: 00496741 URM-94555
Similar to the MARC 21 implementation, Alma supports the use of specific item information for UNIMARC. With this capability, you can control the display of specific holdings/items as indicated in the related record. This physical inventory information appears in the Primo Get It tab and in Alma repository search results (for an All Titles search) when configured. See display_specific_related_items for the Alma configuration information.
Similar to the MARC 21 implementation, Alma supports the use of specific item information for UNIMARC. With this capability, you can control the display of specific holdings/items as indicated in the related record. This physical inventory information appears in the Primo Get It tab and in Alma repository search results (for an All Titles search) when configured. See display_specific_related_items for the Alma configuration information.
Alternative Call Number Label
March 2019 Resource Management URM-93541
The alternative call number label was changed to item call number throughout Alma.
The alternative call number label was changed to item call number throughout Alma.
006 Field in the MD Editor
March 2019 Resource Management SF: 00456037 00478243 00512659 00571206 00603487 00631463 00142357 00142859 00212475 00414812 00048900 00100246 00116044 00125472 00136308 URM-94555
The MD Editor form for the 006 field now correctly displays the options that correspond to the form of material that you select from the Add form of material for 006 pop-up that appears when you create the 006 field. See the example below.
The MD Editor form for the 006 field now correctly displays the options that correspond to the form of material that you select from the Add form of material for 006 pop-up that appears when you create the 006 field. See the example below.
As part of this change, there is a new validation task for the MARC 21 metadata configuration called Validation Form of Material MARC21 that was added to the Marc21 Bib validation on save process. This task was automatically added to the validation process except for institutions that have configured this process. For institutions that have configured the validation process, you need to manually add the Validation Form of Material MARC21 task to the validation process. See Editing Validation Processes for more information.
Watch the Metadata Editor: Edit the 006 Field in Context-Sensitive Form Editor video (1:23 min).
Publishing Bibliographic Records in MODS Format
March 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-99432
You can now publish bibliographic records in MODS format. To support this feature, the option to select MODS is now available from the Output format drop-down list when configuring publishing profiles (Resources > Publishing > Publishing Profiles).
You can now publish bibliographic records in MODS format. To support this feature, the option to select MODS is now available from the Output format drop-down list when configuring publishing profiles (Resources > Publishing > Publishing Profiles).
MODS Output Format
Configure Images for Collection Discovery Lobby
March 2019 Digital Resource Management SF: 00601502 URM-98838
You can now manually select a group of images to appear in the Collection Discovery Lobby of your discovery interface. This feature is currently enabled for Primo VE users, including the option to View in Discovery from the Alma configuration page. The feature will expanded to standard Primo users in the future. To support this feature, a new Discovery tab was added to the Collection Resource Editor (Resources > Manage Collections > Edit Collection):
You can now manually select a group of images to appear in the Collection Discovery Lobby of your discovery interface. This feature is currently enabled for Primo VE users, including the option to View in Discovery from the Alma configuration page. The feature will expanded to standard Primo users in the future. To support this feature, a new Discovery tab was added to the Collection Resource Editor (Resources > Manage Collections > Edit Collection):
Discover Tab
For more information, see Working with Collections.
Improve Display of Multiple Values with the Same Label in Digital Viewers
March 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-99321
The display of multiple values with the same label in the metadata of digital viewers was enhanced.
The display of multiple values with the same label in the metadata of digital viewers was enhanced.
- For the Alma Viewer only – you can configure the Alma Viewer to hide repeated uses of the same label for each value under the label. Now the label appears once with the all of the values listed under it. To support this feature, the new Hide Repeated Labels check box was added to the configuration page for the Alma Viewer (Configuration > Fulfillment > Discovery Interface Display Logic > Viewer Services > Alma Viewer).
Hide Repeated Labels CheckboxSelect the check box to hide repeated labels and display the label once with the all of the values listed under it.
Hide Repeated Labels - For all digital viewers – add a delimiter to a list of metadata with repeated labels. To support this feature, the new Delimiter for Grouping Repeated Delivery Metadata field was added to Configuration > Fulfillment > Discovery Interface Display Logic > Other Settings.
Delimiter for Grouping Delivery Metadata with Repeated LabelsEnter a delimiter in this field to display metadata with the same label separated by the delimiter.
Separate a List of Metadata with a Delimiter
XSL Indication Rules Added to Support Dublin Core
March 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-95437
XSL indication rules were added to support bibliographic records in Dublin Core format. To support this feature, XSL indication rules are available for Dublin Core records in the following locations:
XSL indication rules were added to support bibliographic records in Dublin Core format. To support this feature, XSL indication rules are available for Dublin Core records in the following locations:
- In the MD Editor, under rules:
MD Editor Indication Rules - In the MD Editor under the File > New menu:
MD Editor New Indication Rule - In the Filter out the data using drop-down list of the Normalization and Validation tab, when configuring digital import profiles:
Digital Import Profile Indication Rules - In the Indication Rule drop-down list, when filtering sets of digital titles:
Filter Set Indication Rules - In the Filter Records drop-down list, when configuring publishing profiles:
Publishing Profile Indication Rules
For more information, see Working with Indication Rules.
General Electronic Service Availability Rules
March 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange SF: 00486594 00162113 00054535 00092091 00096968 00113978 URM-31893
Library and location parameters are now available to be added to the availability rules for item and title level general electronic services. Additionally, the following parameters are available for item-level general electronic services so that the item metadata can be used to determine if the service is displayed:
Idea Exchange SF: 00486594 00162113 00054535 00092091 00096968 00113978 URM-31893Library and location parameters are now available to be added to the availability rules for item and title level general electronic services. Additionally, the following parameters are available for item-level general electronic services so that the item metadata can be used to determine if the service is displayed:
- material_type
- item_policy - values are populated from the institution's Item Policy table. See Configuring Item Policies.
- process_type
- base_status - values are Item not in place and Item in place
Locate Physical Items with Metadata
March 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing / Collaborative Networks SF: 00583746 00587365 00590747 00594319 00608628 URM-97241
The locate process for resource sharing requests is optimized for resource sharing partners that share a Network Zone when the request was placed following a search in the Network Zone discovery system. The new Allow locate by metadata field, configurable on the Partner page, enables the locate process to be successful even if the request between partners that share a Network Zone was not placed from the shared Network Zone discovery system. In this case, the locate process will use the request’s metadata to find a match in the partner’s catalog.
The locate process for resource sharing requests is optimized for resource sharing partners that share a Network Zone when the request was placed following a search in the Network Zone discovery system. The new Allow locate by metadata field, configurable on the Partner page, enables the locate process to be successful even if the request between partners that share a Network Zone was not placed from the shared Network Zone discovery system. In this case, the locate process will use the request’s metadata to find a match in the partner’s catalog.
This option allows borrowers that share a Network Zone with the lenders to create resource sharing requests for records that are not shared in the Network Zone. It also allows hold requests to be converted to resource sharing requests even if the borrower and lender share a Network Zone.
Tipasa NCIP Integration
March 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing
It is now possible to integrate Alma with Tipasa as a broker. The Tipasa integration is similar to the other broker integrations in Alma. The following messages are supported by this integration:
It is now possible to integrate Alma with Tipasa as a broker. The Tipasa integration is similar to the other broker integrations in Alma. The following messages are supported by this integration:
Borrower Side:
- Accept Item – When physical item is received
- Check In Item – When physical item is sent back to the lender
- Create User Fiscal Transaction – For creating a request fee
Lender Side:
- Check Out Item – When item is shipped to the borrower
- Check In Item – When item is received back from the borrower
Perform Locate Based on Electronic Coverage
March 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing URM-90284
The Manage Fulfillment Options row action on the Lending Resource Sharing task list displays the local resources that the lender can use to fulfill the lending request. If you set the rs_uresolver_locate parameter parameter to true, Alma suggests electronic services only if the coverage-related information (volume, issue and publication date) on the resource sharing request matches the coverage of the local electronic resource. See Configuring Other Settings (Fulfillment).
The Manage Fulfillment Options row action on the Lending Resource Sharing task list displays the local resources that the lender can use to fulfill the lending request. If you set the rs_uresolver_locate parameter parameter to true, Alma suggests electronic services only if the coverage-related information (volume, issue and publication date) on the resource sharing request matches the coverage of the local electronic resource. See Configuring Other Settings (Fulfillment).
Asynchronous BLDSS Requests
March 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing Idea Exchange URM-54316
You may now send an asynchronous resource sharing request to the British Library using the BLDSS API without a successful locate result. If a match is unsuccessful because the locate process fails or if the locate process was not run, the request can now be sent. To allow this, you must select the Allow Asynchronous Request check box on the BLDSS Parameters tab of the Partner page. The check box is selected by default for new customers going live in March 2019 or later.
Idea Exchange URM-54316You may now send an asynchronous resource sharing request to the British Library using the BLDSS API without a successful locate result. If a match is unsuccessful because the locate process fails or if the locate process was not run, the request can now be sent. To allow this, you must select the Allow Asynchronous Request check box on the BLDSS Parameters tab of the Partner page. The check box is selected by default for new customers going live in March 2019 or later.
The automatic runs of the Update BLDSS Requests job will now be increased to eight times a day.
See BLDSS Parameters.
Delete Completed Resource Sharing Requests
March 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing SF: 00156022 00159972 00210796 00053012 00106001 00136614 URM-25865
A new weekly job, Resource Sharing Completed Request Cleanup, allows you to remove requests from the resource sharing task list based on the request status and the number of days since the request reached a final status.
A new weekly job, Resource Sharing Completed Request Cleanup, allows you to remove requests from the resource sharing task list based on the request status and the number of days since the request reached a final status.
Final statuses for borrowing requests are:
- Canceled by partner
- Canceled by patron
- Canceled by staff
- Digitally received by library
- Expired
- Request completed - This is the final status before removal, and may be manually set.
Final statuses for lending requests are:
- Shipped digitally
- Request completed - This is the final status before removal, and may be manually set.
Any request that is in one of the statuses above and is in the range of the request age (base on the request modification date) will have its status changed to Deleted. Deleted requests will not appear in the active and completed task lists. After the request is deleted, it is viewable only in analytics.
Related Portfolios
February 2019 Resource Management Idea Exchange SF: 00585863 00590358 URM-95160
In the Electronic Portfolio Editor, a new Related Portfolios tab was added. From this tab, you can view and work with the other portfolios that are linked to the same bibliographic record. This provides an easy way to check what coverage may be available for the title across providers in addition to the coverage identified for the portfolio that you are editing. See Editing a Portfolio Using the Electronic Portfolio Editor for more information.
Idea Exchange SF: 00585863 00590358 URM-95160In the Electronic Portfolio Editor, a new Related Portfolios tab was added. From this tab, you can view and work with the other portfolios that are linked to the same bibliographic record. This provides an easy way to check what coverage may be available for the title across providers in addition to the coverage identified for the portfolio that you are editing. See Editing a Portfolio Using the Electronic Portfolio Editor for more information.
Upload Electronic Holdings from Springer
February 2019 Resource Management URM-70318
A new integration profile was added to Alma for automatically uploading holdings files from Springer for the following electronic collections: SpringerLink Journals - AutoHoldings and SpringerLink Books - AutoHoldings. See Upload Electronic Holdings from Springer for more information.
A new integration profile was added to Alma for automatically uploading holdings files from Springer for the following electronic collections: SpringerLink Journals - AutoHoldings and SpringerLink Books - AutoHoldings. See Upload Electronic Holdings from Springer for more information.
Note that support for multicampus sites will be available in upcoming releases.
OCLC and Libraries Australia Symbol Handling
February 2019 Resource Management SF: 00622935 00141969 00141970 00001360 00002802 00016821 00017269 00018734 00018861 00034367 00035357 00094709 URM-38885
The symbol mapping table for OCLC and Libraries Australia was expanded to include location. With this addition, you can publish the symbol for a library and location level in addition to the existing library and institution levels. The symbol that is published is determined by the symbol configuration that you have stored in Alma. See Initial Publishing Activities with OCLC and Libraries Australia Publishing Profile for more information.
The symbol mapping table for OCLC and Libraries Australia was expanded to include location. With this addition, you can publish the symbol for a library and location level in addition to the existing library and institution levels. The symbol that is published is determined by the symbol configuration that you have stored in Alma. See Initial Publishing Activities with OCLC and Libraries Australia Publishing Profile for more information.
Enhancements to Digital Uploader
February 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-96999
Several enhancements were implemented for the Alma Digital Uploader, including the following:
Several enhancements were implemented for the Alma Digital Uploader, including the following:
- The user interface of the Alma Digital Uploader was aligned with Alma's look and feel.
- The Status column was added to the Ingest Details page.
- Metadata files added to the ingest are validated. Invalid files are not uploaded and are colored in red.
- Metadata files are marked with an identifying image.
Enhancements to Digital Uploader
Copy Function Added to Remote Repository Configuration
February 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-87342
The Duplicate row action was added to the list of remote repositories (Configuration > Resources > Record Import > Remote Digital Repositories). It copies the remote repository configuration (including transformer rules and delivery configurations) with the following changes:
The Duplicate row action was added to the list of remote repositories (Configuration > Resources > Record Import > Remote Digital Repositories). It copies the remote repository configuration (including transformer rules and delivery configurations) with the following changes:
- The Remote Repository Name field is Copy of <original name>
- The Remote Repository Code field is <orig code>_<current unixtime>
- The Status field is set to Inactive
Display Logic Rule Enhancements
February 2019 Fulfillment SF: 00001218 00017814 00095510 00121549 00130381 URM-13771
On the Discovery Interface Display Logic page, two new row actions, Edit and Duplicate, are now available for rules. A selected group of rules can also be activated with the Activate Selected action. See Configuring Display Logic Rules.
On the Discovery Interface Display Logic page, two new row actions, Edit and Duplicate, are now available for rules. A selected group of rules can also be activated with the Activate Selected action. See Configuring Display Logic Rules.
Physical Item-Level General Electronic Services
February 2019 Fulfillment URM-96569
You can now define general electronic services at the item level, which adds the service on each item line. Item data can now be sent in the open URL. A new Item Level radio button is available on the Service Details page when Get It or None is selected in the Display Location field. When Item Level is set to yes, the link appears next to each item that matches the input rules and does not appear on the holdings level.
You can now define general electronic services at the item level, which adds the service on each item line. Item data can now be sent in the open URL. A new Item Level radio button is available on the Service Details page when Get It or None is selected in the Display Location field. When Item Level is set to yes, the link appears next to each item that matches the input rules and does not appear on the holdings level.
When a service is defined as item-level, data from the holdings and item records can be sent in the open URL.
When selecting the if exists service value in the display logic rules, item-level services do not appear on the list.
- This enhancement applies to Primo. The functionality will be added for Primo VE in an upcoming release.
- Availability rules will be available in the March 2019 release.
Retroactively Anonymize Old Requests
February 2019 Fulfillment SF: 00584933 URM-96076
The existing Anonymization job now retroactively anonymizes existing completed requests (which were not yet anonymized) when the should_anonymize_requests customer parameter is set to true.
The existing Anonymization job now retroactively anonymizes existing completed requests (which were not yet anonymized) when the should_anonymize_requests customer parameter is set to true.
Perform Locate Based on Electronic Coverage
February 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing URM-96784 URM-97765
The locate process was enhanced to check the rota members' electronic resources' coverage. If the borrower resource sharing request is submitted with volume/issue information and the locate profiles are not set to ignore electronic resources, Alma runs the locate action on the request's rota using the volume/issue information. This is similar to how the Alma link resolver finds services in the lender's catalog. The locate process includes only partners for which the matching electronic resource has coverage information that matches the volume/issue information on the borrower request.
The locate process was enhanced to check the rota members' electronic resources' coverage. If the borrower resource sharing request is submitted with volume/issue information and the locate profiles are not set to ignore electronic resources, Alma runs the locate action on the request's rota using the volume/issue information. This is similar to how the Alma link resolver finds services in the lender's catalog. The locate process includes only partners for which the matching electronic resource has coverage information that matches the volume/issue information on the borrower request.
When defining the parameters for locate profiles, the Ignore Physical Resources field is now available. Selecting this field means that the locate process does not check physical resources and does not use the locate by, check item availability, or requestability fields.
The locate process now functions as follows:
- When Ignore Physical Resources is not selected and Ignore Electronic and Digital Resources is selected, Alma performs the locate process only for physical resources based on the bibliographic record.
- When Ignore Physical Resources is selected and Ignore Electronic and Digital Resources is not selected, Alma performs the locate process only for electronic resources, similar to how the link resolver works, using the request's volume/issue information and the lender's coverage data.
- When Ignore Physical Resources and Ignore Electronic and Digital Resources are both unselected, Alma performs the locate process for physical resources based on the bibliographic record, and for electronic resources similar to how the link resolver works, using the request's volume/issue information and the lender's coverage data. The electronic locate check is performed first.
In order to make the locate process for electronic resources consider coverage information similar to how the Alma link resolver would find services, you must set the rs_uresolver_locate parameter to true (See Configuring Other Settings (Fulfillment)).
Convert Borrowing Requests to Patron Physical Item Requests
February 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing Idea Exchange URM-83495
When a borrowing request is created and a local resource matches the request, if the operator chooses to create a request, the borrowing request data automatically populates the relevant fields in the request and gives the operator the option to cancel the borrowing request.
Idea Exchange URM-83495When a borrowing request is created and a local resource matches the request, if the operator chooses to create a request, the borrowing request data automatically populates the relevant fields in the request and gives the operator the option to cancel the borrowing request.
If the Request Note field is populated in the borrowing request, it is copied to the Note field of the request. In addition if any of the following fields are populated, they are copied into the Note field, along with the name of the original field:
- Volume
- Issue
- Article
- Part
- Chapter
- Pages
Select the Cancel RS Borrowing Request check box on the Create Request page to delete the resource sharing borrowing request. A new cancellation reason is assigned to the borrowing request, The resource sharing request was canceled because the resource was found in your institution. A local request was created instead. If the borrowing request cannot be canceled, the local request is still created.
User Preferred Name
February 2019 Administration and Infrastructure / APIs Idea Exchange URM-93052
The Alma user profile was expanded to include parameters for a user's preferred name. The API and SIS options for creating and updating users also include the user's preferred name. These parameters are indexed and searchable with the Users search option. System notifications and letters that incorporate name information can be updated to use a user's preferred name. In a future release, display options will be provided. For more information, see Preferred first / middle / last names on the Managing Users page and the Ex Libris Developer Network for API and SIS details.
Idea Exchange URM-93052The Alma user profile was expanded to include parameters for a user's preferred name. The API and SIS options for creating and updating users also include the user's preferred name. These parameters are indexed and searchable with the Users search option. System notifications and letters that incorporate name information can be updated to use a user's preferred name. In a future release, display options will be provided. For more information, see Preferred first / middle / last names on the Managing Users page and the Ex Libris Developer Network for API and SIS details.
Keep Up with Alma Widget
February 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-100349
As of the February release, all Alma users see a new widget, Keep Up With Alma, in the top left-hand corner of the Alma dashboard. This widget highlights new Alma features and will help you keep up with Alma’s many new developments, drawing your attention to important aspects of current functionality. Note that you can move the widget to a different part of your dashboard or remove it from your dashboard entirely at any time.
As of the February release, all Alma users see a new widget, Keep Up With Alma, in the top left-hand corner of the Alma dashboard. This widget highlights new Alma features and will help you keep up with Alma’s many new developments, drawing your attention to important aspects of current functionality. Note that you can move the widget to a different part of your dashboard or remove it from your dashboard entirely at any time.
Keep Up with Alma Widget
New Premium Sandbox Policy
February 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-98760
As previously announced, Ex Libris is updating the premium sandbox policy for all of the products that run on the cloud platform (Alma, Primo VE, Leganto, and Esploro) and upgrading the premium sandbox environment’s underlying technology. For detailed information on the new policy, see Ex Libris New Premium Sandbox Policy: Frequently Asked Questions.
As previously announced, Ex Libris is updating the premium sandbox policy for all of the products that run on the cloud platform (Alma, Primo VE, Leganto, and Esploro) and upgrading the premium sandbox environment’s underlying technology. For detailed information on the new policy, see Ex Libris New Premium Sandbox Policy: Frequently Asked Questions.
As a result of the new policy, the Sandbox Management page in the Configuration menu and the sandbox widget on the Alma home page are being removed as of February 10th. Instead, in your production environment, there is now a link to your premium sandbox from the Help menu (available as of February 10th):
Premium Sandbox Link in Help Menu
In your sandbox environment, the date of the last clone from production appears:
Date of Clone from Production
Currencies Without the Decimal Point
February 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-99326
For currencies such as the Japanese Yen that need to be presented without a decimal point, there is a new customer parameter to enable this formatting. See truncate_decimal_fraction_amount for more information.
For currencies such as the Japanese Yen that need to be presented without a decimal point, there is a new customer parameter to enable this formatting. See truncate_decimal_fraction_amount for more information.
Check Availability and Pricing
January 2019 Acquisitions URM-99174
A new tool enables purchasing operators to search Proquest OASIS (Online Acquisitions and Selection Information System) for resources, and to view pricing information for the retrieved records. In order to activate this feature, please contact Ex Libris support.
A new tool enables purchasing operators to search Proquest OASIS (Online Acquisitions and Selection Information System) for resources, and to view pricing information for the retrieved records. In order to activate this feature, please contact Ex Libris support.
Removal of Item Search in Amazon
January 2019 Acquisitions URM-97959
Item Search in Amazon was removed from the menu following issues with the Amazon integration. Ex Libris will re-evaluate possible enhancements of existing acquisitions workflows by integrating with Amazon APIs for a later redeployment.
Item Search in Amazon was removed from the menu following issues with the Amazon integration. Ex Libris will re-evaluate possible enhancements of existing acquisitions workflows by integrating with Amazon APIs for a later redeployment.
Note Field Added to the Primo Purchase Request
January 2019 Acquisitions URM-93904
The Primo (and not Primo VE) Purchase Request form now contains an optional Requester Note field. For existing customers, it is disabled by default and can be enabled in the Purchase Request Form Customization. This field previously existed in the Alma purchase request form only.
The Primo (and not Primo VE) Purchase Request form now contains an optional Requester Note field. For existing customers, it is disabled by default and can be enabled in the Purchase Request Form Customization. This field previously existed in the Alma purchase request form only.
Delete Interested Users in Closed PO Lines
January 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00552434 00581443 URM-95386
You can now control deletion for interested users in all closed and canceled PO lines. Set the po_line_remove_interested_users to true to allow the entries to be deleted. A new system job, PO Line - Delete interested users, runs weekly to delete users that are linked to closed or canceled PO lines.
You can now control deletion for interested users in all closed and canceled PO lines. Set the po_line_remove_interested_users to true to allow the entries to be deleted. A new system job, PO Line - Delete interested users, runs weekly to delete users that are linked to closed or canceled PO lines.
Price Note Added to the Invoice Line
January 2019 Acquisitions URM-90505
A new field, Price Note, is now available on the invoice line. The note appears on the Invoice Line Details page, in the Invoice Line List, and when the invoice lines are exported to a spreadsheet. The column is hidden by default in the Invoice Line List and can be added using the Manage Column Display button. The Price Note may also be imported when loading an invoice from an Excel file or by the RESTful API.
A new field, Price Note, is now available on the invoice line. The note appears on the Invoice Line Details page, in the Invoice Line List, and when the invoice lines are exported to a spreadsheet. The column is hidden by default in the Invoice Line List and can be added using the Manage Column Display button. The Price Note may also be imported when loading an invoice from an Excel file or by the RESTful API.
Invoice Line Details Page
Copy Full URL for Public Trials
January 2019 Acquisitions URM-95514
The full URL for a trial can now be copied to the clipboard so the user can use it outside of Alma without the need to copy the partial URL and add the server name.
The full URL for a trial can now be copied to the clipboard so the user can use it outside of Alma without the need to copy the partial URL and add the server name.
Trial Details Page
Watch the Get Full URL for Survey of an E-Resource Public Trial video (1:07 min).
See Managing Trials.
Ordering a Centrally Managed Electronic Resource
January 2019 Acquisitions / Collaborative Networks URM-95514
You can now place an order on electronic resources that are managed centrally in the Network Zone even if they do not have a license of type Negotiation.
You can now place an order on electronic resources that are managed centrally in the Network Zone even if they do not have a license of type Negotiation.
The functionality can be divided between those orders of centrally managed electronic resources that have a license negotiation, and those that do not have a license negotiation.
Orders with a license negotiation
- If the license negotiation specifies that the resource is negotiated for the member, the order is created in the Institution Zone with all the negotiation information.
- If a license negotiation exists for the resource, but the resource was not negotiated for the member:
- The user is prompted with the following message, "Please note that this resource has a negotiated license on the Network Zone and your institution is not part of it. Do you want to create a local order?"
- The member can place an order, which is created in the Institution Zone and linked to the centrally managed resource. The member can then create a local license and associate it to a local order.
Orders without a license negotiation
- If the resource is available for the member, as defined by the group configuration, it can be ordered with the Order action. The order is created locally and linked to the Network Zone resource.
- You can create a local license in the Institution Zone and associate it with the locally created order.
On the License Details page, in the Inventory tab, a new section, Resources from the Network, shows electronic collections and portfolios. This section is available for orders with or without a license negotiation.
License Details Page - Inventory Tab
The local license can include terms of use that are viewable by the end user via the link resolver in the Primo View It tab. This action is available for orders with or without a license negotiation.
Electronic Portfolio from a Network Resource
Support Streaming Video and Audio for Alma Viewer
January 2019 Digital Resource Management SF: 00165705 00215803 URM-98485
The Alma Viewer now supports streaming video and audio. You can convert existing digital representations to streaming format using the new Media Conversion Job. The job creates a new representation for the converted format that Alma can use to display streaming video and audio.
The Alma Viewer now supports streaming video and audio. You can convert existing digital representations to streaming format using the new Media Conversion Job. The job creates a new representation for the converted format that Alma can use to display streaming video and audio.
The job has two output formats, HTTP LiveStreaming (HLS) and MPEG-4. Select HTTP LiveStreaming (HLS) to convert a digital representations to streaming format. Select MPEG-4 to convert video and audio formats that are not compatible with the browser to MPEG-4 format.
Streaming Video and Audio
For more information, see the Media Conversion job.
Streaming format files are far larger than the original files.
Block File Download
January 2019 Digital Resource Management SF: 00581066 URM-95786
You can now configure access rights to allow the display of digital files in the Alma Viewer, but block patrons from downloading the files from the viewer. To support this feature, the Allow View and Allow Download check boxes were added to the Access Rights Rule page. When the Allow Download check box is cleared, downloading the file is unavailable from the viewer and the Download, Save As, and Print buttons do not appear.
You can now configure access rights to allow the display of digital files in the Alma Viewer, but block patrons from downloading the files from the viewer. To support this feature, the Allow View and Allow Download check boxes were added to the Access Rights Rule page. When the Allow Download check box is cleared, downloading the file is unavailable from the viewer and the Download, Save As, and Print buttons do not appear.
Block File Download
Support Excel as an Alma Digital Import Physical Source Format
January 2019 Digital Resource Management SF: 00581080 00583175 URM-96037
Excel is now supported as a physical source format for non-remote digital import profiles.
Excel is now supported as a physical source format for non-remote digital import profiles.
Excel Physical Source Format
For more information, see Importing Records with CSV or Excel Files.
Display Logic Rule Enhancements
January 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange URM-31626 URM-18657 SF: 00494112 00366748 00373168 00412601 00035318 00122128
The display logic user interface was enhanced, offering more flexibility in defining display logic rules.
Idea Exchange URM-31626 URM-18657 SF: 00494112 00366748 00373168 00412601 00035318 00122128The display logic user interface was enhanced, offering more flexibility in defining display logic rules.
The following syntax is applicable to the display logic rules: Hide service <service> with Interface/collection With Value <interface/collection >if exists service <service>. It is now possible to include multiple values for each place holder <>. The With Value field pick up list was replaced with a multiple select drop-down list. The field also now has auto-complete functionality, which allows you to begin typing a string that appears in any of the values.
As an example of the new syntax, a display logic rule displays as follows: Hide service Full Text with Interface with value CCC Get It Now if exists service Full Text. The full text service of CCC Get It Now is hidden if there is any other full text available.
Note that the next release will also include the ability to edit or duplicate a display logic rule and a more efficient way to order the display logic rules.
Multiple Printers for Circulation Desks and Work Order Departments
January 2019 Fulfillment NERS Enhancement (ID #5746) SF: 00179615 00234790 00016753 00021474 00123193
You can now assign more than one printer to a circulation desk or work order department, allowing each operator to select a printer individually from one of the defined printers. There is now a Default Printer option and a new Additional Printers multiple selection field in the Printing Information section of the circulation desk, and in the General Details section of the Work Order Department. When multiple printers are defined and the Currently At location is selected, the available printers are now also displayed in the drop-down list. Once the user has selected a printer, the selection is saved between sessions. If only one printer exists for a location, it is not necessary to select a printer. If the user has not selected a printer, the default printer is used.
NERS Enhancement (ID #5746) SF: 00179615 00234790 00016753 00021474 00123193 You can now assign more than one printer to a circulation desk or work order department, allowing each operator to select a printer individually from one of the defined printers. There is now a Default Printer option and a new Additional Printers multiple selection field in the Printing Information section of the circulation desk, and in the General Details section of the Work Order Department. When multiple printers are defined and the Currently At location is selected, the available printers are now also displayed in the drop-down list. Once the user has selected a printer, the selection is saved between sessions. If only one printer exists for a location, it is not necessary to select a printer. If the user has not selected a printer, the default printer is used.
Process Type for Lost and Paid
January 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange SF: 00624220 URM-70596
When an on loan item's status is changed to Lost and the last lost or replacement fee is closed, the loan status can now be changed to Lost and paid and the loan is closed. For this to happen, the close_paid_lost_loan parameter must be set to true. If the parameter is set to false, the previous behavior is enforced. The parameter defaults to false for existing customers and to true for new installations.
Idea Exchange SF: 00624220 URM-70596When an on loan item's status is changed to Lost and the last lost or replacement fee is closed, the loan status can now be changed to Lost and paid and the loan is closed. For this to happen, the close_paid_lost_loan parameter must be set to true. If the parameter is set to false, the previous behavior is enforced. The parameter defaults to false for existing customers and to true for new installations.
To support the new loan status, a new label is available in the Discovery Interface Labels, c.uresolver.getit2.item_list.status.LOST_AND_PAID_LOAN.with_no_expected_date. Its default value is Lost and Paid.
There is a known issue that if a lost item's replacement fee is paid and the loan status is set to Lost and paid, when the item is then loaned to another user, the fee is not refunded to the original user as it should be.
See Lost Loan Management.
Preferred ID Based Services
January 2019 Fulfillment / Administration and Infrastructure URM-96373
To improve the Link Resolver linking hit rates, electronic services that use the provider's ID as the linking mechanism will now be presented as the first option in the Link Resolver View It& page regardless of the sort order defined in the Online Service Order.
To improve the Link Resolver linking hit rates, electronic services that use the provider's ID as the linking mechanism will now be presented as the first option in the Link Resolver View It& page regardless of the sort order defined in the Online Service Order.
The electronic services which use the provider ID as a linking mechanism are ProQuest and Gale.
To disable this option, on the Online Services Order page, set the Prefer ID based Linking services field to No.
Complete Reported Lost Item to Partner Borrowing Requests
January 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing URM-96535
A borrowing request whose status is Report lost item to partner or Report damaged item to partner can now be changed to Completed by using the Change Status action. When the status is changed, the temporary item is removed and the loan is closed. A lending request whose status is Lost and Fee Communicated may now be changed to Completed using the Change Status action.
A borrowing request whose status is Report lost item to partner or Report damaged item to partner can now be changed to Completed by using the Change Status action. When the status is changed, the temporary item is removed and the loan is closed. A lending request whose status is Lost and Fee Communicated may now be changed to Completed using the Change Status action.
Support Conditional Message
January 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing URM-22981
An ISO message can now be sent from a lender to a borrower to await a reply on certain lending conditions before fulfilling the request. In the Lending Request Task List, the new Conditional row action appears in the actions menu. The link appears only when the item is not yet shipped and only for ISO partners that are defined in the Borrowing Workflow Profile as supporting the Conditional action. When the status of the request is Conditional, a new Date for Reply field also appears on the task list.
An ISO message can now be sent from a lender to a borrower to await a reply on certain lending conditions before fulfilling the request. In the Lending Request Task List, the new Conditional row action appears in the actions menu. The link appears only when the item is not yet shipped and only for ISO partners that are defined in the Borrowing Workflow Profile as supporting the Conditional action. When the status of the request is Conditional, a new Date for Reply field also appears on the task list.
A Conditional widget is available to display the lending request task list with the status filtered to Conditional and the list sorted by Date for Reply in descending order.
When selecting the new action, a pop-up window is displayed with a mandatory Reason, a Date for reply, which is the last day the lender will wait to receive an answer from the borrower, and a Note field. When the message is submitted, the request status changes to Conditional. An ISO message is sent to the borrower and the lender awaits the response. The borrowing request then changes to Conditional status, and the Date for Reply field is displayed. A Conditional Reply action is displayed on the row action menu for the borrowing institution to respond. When the borrower selects the action, a window is displayed for the user to select Yes or No in response to the condition specified by the lender. If the response is Yes, the request status changes to Sent and Date for Reply field is cleared. If the response is No, the status changes to Rejected by Partner and continues to the next partner in the rota. When the response is returned to the lender, if the response value is No, the request is rejected. If the value is Yes, the Date for Reply field is cleared and the request status returns to Created lending request. The response is recorded in an audit note.
Ex Libris Identity Service
January 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-96646
As a result of working with the Authentication Focus Group, Ex Libris decided to introduce the Ex Libris Identity Service, based on a dedicated identity management solution. This service replaces the internal authentication method previously used by live Alma customers, and all existing customers will be migrated to this service. After migration, all passwords for internal Alma users will be stored in the Ex Libris Identity Service, to be hosted by Ex Libris in its data centers. For more information on this new service, see https://developers.exlibrisgroup.com/alma/integrations/user-management/authentication/exl_identity_service.
As a result of working with the Authentication Focus Group, Ex Libris decided to introduce the Ex Libris Identity Service, based on a dedicated identity management solution. This service replaces the internal authentication method previously used by live Alma customers, and all existing customers will be migrated to this service. After migration, all passwords for internal Alma users will be stored in the Ex Libris Identity Service, to be hosted by Ex Libris in its data centers. For more information on this new service, see https://developers.exlibrisgroup.com/alma/integrations/user-management/authentication/exl_identity_service.
This change is transparent to most users logging in to Alma or Ex Libris discovery systems. All Alma operators are prompted to change their passwords at first login after the Ex Libris Identity Service is implemented (according to the deployment schedule below), even if their passwords meet requirements. Patrons who attempt to log in to Ex Libris discovery systems with passwords that do not meet requirements are prompted to change their passwords (and the new passwords cannot be previously used passwords).
The following password considerations are now in place:
- The password strength cannot be configured. The password must be 8 characters long and cannot contain the user name. The password_regex parameter is no longer considered.
- The password does not have an expiry date. The days_password_change parameter is no longer considered.
- The password locks for 30 minutes after five unsuccessful login attempts.
You can customize the Change Password dialog box that such users will encounter on the Internal Login Messages page in Alma (Configuration menu > General > User Interface Settings > Identity Service Labels). You can view the results of your changes by going to the following URL, which presents the Change Password dialog box: https://<your Alma domain>/view/changePw?userId=<primaryIdOfAnInternalUser>&institutionCode=<inst code>&backUrl=<Primo’s URL> (for example, https://sandbox02-eu.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/changePw?userId=exl_support&institutionCode=EXLDEV1_INST&backUrl=https://primoUrl.com).
When a staff user enters a wrong user and password combination on the Alma login page, the error message now includes a Forgot password? link. It will link to the reset password page. In order to display a Forgot Password option in Primo/PrimoVE, a configuration update is required. For more information, see the knowledge article, How to add a 'Forgot My Password' link to the login page in the new UI when using Alma for authentication.
The Reset Password Letter is sent to an individual user by selecting the Reset your password for the identity service option in the Send message drop-down list on the User Details page. The letter is sent to a group of users by running the Update/Notify Users job and selecting the Identity Service mail option in the Send notification to user drop-down list on the job parameters page.
The workflow for new customers also involves an email using the Reset Password Letter (letter code: ResetPwLetter), for which you can customize the XSL and labels.
The following deployment schedule applies to the Identity Service:
| Date | Deployment |
|---|---|
| Dec 23rd, 2018 | Enable the Identity Service on Alma sandbox environments |
| Jan 13th, 2019 | Enable the Identity Service on APAC Alma Production environments |
| Jan 20th , 2019 | Enable the Identity Service on EU Alma Production environments |
| Jan 27th , 2019 | Enable the Identity Service on NA Alma Production environments |
Dates of Release Updates (Formerly Called Hot Fixes) in Alma UI
January 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-94041
Hot fixes are now known as release updates. The dates of all scheduled release updates now appear in the Alma UI when viewing the Alma release schedule.
Hot fixes are now known as release updates. The dates of all scheduled release updates now appear in the Alma UI when viewing the Alma release schedule.
Alma Release Schedule
Translating Notifications
August 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00624647 00636708 URM-108980
You can now translate the recent changes (in Leganto, these are notifications) in the System Event Types code table. See Translating Notifications.
You can now translate the recent changes (in Leganto, these are notifications) in the System Event Types code table. See Translating Notifications.
Mapping Bibliographic Record Fields to Citation Fields
July 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00589678 00623171 URM-101210
You can now configure and normalize the information that is taken from a bibliographic record and copied to a citation when a) a repository citation is created or b) a resource locate succeeds for the citation. For more information, see Mapping Bibliographic Record Fields to Citation Fields.
You can now configure and normalize the information that is taken from a bibliographic record and copied to a citation when a) a repository citation is created or b) a resource locate succeeds for the citation. For more information, see Mapping Bibliographic Record Fields to Citation Fields.
Changes to the Course Loading Integration Profile
July 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00629468 URM-109965 URM-101421
The following changes were made to the course loading integration profile:
The following changes were made to the course loading integration profile:
- You can select the status Rolled Over for rolled over reading lists.
- New setting: On rollover list creation mode - Multiple (create a new list for each course) or Single (if the list already exists, attach it to the new course).
Course Loading Integration Profile Rollover: Increased Performance and Reading List Name Suffixes
June 2019 Release Update Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00690351 00690649 00690885 URM-110651
The course loading integration profile was taking a long time to run for when performing a rollover. Part of the issue was found to be the way that suffixes were added to the names of the rolled over reading lists.
This was fixed by adding a new field (On rollover reading list name suffix) to enable you to enter the suffix that you would like to add to new reading lists. For example, if you enter -201906 as the suffix, then a reading list with the name History will be rolled over to a reading list with the name History-201906. If you leave this field empty, the name of the new reading list is the same as the name as the old reading list. See Configuring Course Loading.
Citation Tasks
March 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves URM-93637
Citations is a new top-level category for citation-related tasks. Some reading list tasks were moved to this new category. Some tasks are relevant only to Leganto customers; these tasks do not appear for non-Leganto customers. When you select any citation task, the Edit Citation page appears with the relevant tab and/or filter pre-selected (see Managing Citations).
Citation Tasks
The new tasks are as follows:
- Citations - Copyright waiting for approval.
- Citations - Marked as broken
Leganto only. Formerly known as Reading List - Citation with broken links.
- Citations - Ready for processing
- Citations - Assigned to Me - have new notes
Leganto only. Formerly known as Reading List - Assigned to Me - Citation with new note.
- Citations - Unassigned - have new notes
Leganto only. Formerly known as Reading List - Unassigned - Citation with new note.
Enhancements to Handling Multiple Matches During Resource Locate
January 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves URM-89726
Until now, when Alma found multiple matches during a resource locate (for citations added using the Process and Enrich Citations in Bulk job or when saving a citation added by an instructor in Leganto), Alma did not attach any of the matches that it found to the citation. The job report indicated that multiple matches were found. A librarian could then manually match the citation to a repository entity.
Until now, when Alma found multiple matches during a resource locate (for citations added using the Process and Enrich Citations in Bulk job or when saving a citation added by an instructor in Leganto), Alma did not attach any of the matches that it found to the citation. The job report indicated that multiple matches were found. A librarian could then manually match the citation to a repository entity.
You can now use resource_locate_multiple_matches and resource_locate_multiple_matches_priority (see Configuring Other Settings) to configure how Alma handles multiple matches:
- resource_locate_multiple_matches is set to manual by default, which is the current behavior. Set to first_by_inventory_type and also set the next parameter to have Alma attach the citation to the first entity found according to priority type (see next field).
- When you select first_by_inventory_type for resource_locate_multiple_matches, set the priorities for matching in resource_locate_multiple_matching_priority using the values E (electronic), P (physical), and/or D (digital). in priority order, separated by commas. For example, E, P indicates first priority electronic, second priority physical, and not to consider digital matches.
The Process and Enrich Citations in Bulk page was enhanced to support these options and in a few other ways. The old course date fields were combined to use a single date range picker, and the other previous fields were slightly moved and renamed (but otherwise remain the same).
Process and Enrich Citations in Bulk Page
To support the new multiple match handling feature, the field When multiple matches are found was added. Select either Handle manually or Use first matching resource. If you select Use first matching sequence, select the priorities from the drop-down lists for the three resource types.
Process and Enrich Citations in Bulk Page, Select Priorities for Multiple Matches
Additional Enhancements
- December 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00693367 00620961 00574922 00708569 00587052 00237107 00664426 00700910 00524721 00556963 00544153 00646812 00545012 00641376 00613451 00666228 URM-63478 URM-110755
The PO line history now has two radio buttons which differentiate between the history of PO line changes and transaction changes (modifying fund, modifying price (redistribute), adding invoice line (modifying)). This change also applies retroactively on all PO lines history (for PO lines created prior to this development and modified by a system job, some operators names may appear as actual users and not System). In the PO line changes filter, transaction item data was removed (as it is no longer relevant because of the designated Transaction changes radio button). - December 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00176106 00065047 00315181 00459513 00083525 00219614 00347686 00170590 00205828 00353165 00523375 00165544 00418046 URM-33303
Orders and queries are now sent to the email address in their relevant email fields. The preferred address is only used if there is no email address of the relevant type. - December 2019 Acquisitions URM-111694
Because of multiple report types, the duplication check in COUNTER R5 reports now includes only the name and subscriber. - December 2019 Fulfillment SF: 00638782 URM-109094
On the Manage Patron Services page, when sorting the list of items by location (library), Alma now displays the item's actual location rather than the location that was relevant at the time of the loan. - December 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange URM-109876
The Courtesy Notices now includes the last renew status and date in its XML. This can be used to notify the patron why the last automatic renew failed. - December 2019 Analytics URM-117086
The Electronic Resource Collection Overlap folder located under Shared/Alma will be deprecated in a future release. This information is instead available in the Titles with Multiple Portfolios report located in the /shared Folders/Alma/Cost per use via COUNTER reports e-inventory and acquisitions data/Reports folder and is part of the Electronic Cost Usage dashboard. - December 2019 Analytics URM-116788
The Overlap E and E report was added to the Title Level Overlap Analysis dashboard located under /shared Folders/Alma/Titles. It displays titles with multiple copies of the same electronic portfolio.In addition, the Loan Date prompt was removed from the Overlap E and D report, as it is not relevant. - December 2019 Analytics URM-116785
The Cost Per Use subject area is now marked as "to be deprecated". For more information, see the Upcoming Issues to Note section of the release notes. - December 2019 Analytics URM-101501
The following fields were added to E-Inventory > Cost Usage > Portfolio and Collection Measures:- No. of Electronic Collections (Deleted + In Repository)
- No. of Electronic Collections (Deleted)
- No. of Electronic Collections (In Repository Linked to CZ)
- No. of Electronic Collections (In Repository Not Linked to CZ)
- December 2019 Analytics URM-101325
The Invoice - Currency and Invoice Line - Currency fields were added to Funds Expenditure > Invoice Line. They indicate the currency used in the invoice and invoice line. - December 2019 Analytics URM-91972
The In Temp Location at Time of Loan field was added to Fulfillment > Loan Details. In indicates if the item was in a temporary location at the time of the loan. - December 2019 Analytics SF: 00181283 00377351 URM-73329
The Portfolio Additional PO Lines field was added to E-Inventory > Portfolio and the Electronic Collection Additional PO Lines field was added to E-Inventory > Electronic Collection. These fields display the additional PO lines for the portfolio and electronic collection. - December 2019 Analytics URM-85303
The Receiving Operator dimension was added to the Physical Items subject area. It contains fields related to the receiving operator. - December 2019 Analytics SF: 00514679 00531487 00653213 00157268 00007454 URM-41061
The Renewal Circulation Desk dimension was added to the Fulfillment subject area. It contains fields related to the renewal circulation desk. - December 2019 Analytics URM-101652
The /shared/Alma/Physical Item Usage for Weeding (to be deprecated) folder was removed. - December 2019 Analytics URM-117090
The Fulfillment - Number of renewals in the last year by Patron Group report was moved to the Alma/Fulfillment/Reports folder from the /shared/Alma/Cost per use via COUNTER reports and acquisitions data folder and was renamed to Number of renewals in the last year by Patron Group. - December 2019 Analytics URM-105879
Alma Analytics now supports COUNTER version 5. To support this enhancement, the following fields were added to E-Inventory > Cost Usage > Cost Usage measures:- Usage TR_J1
- Estimated Usage TR_J1
- Usage TR_B1
- Estimated Usage TR_B1
- Usage DR
- Estimated Usage DR
- December 2019 Analytics URM-85956
The Subject Area Contents (to be deprecated) folder, previously located under /shared/Alma, was removed. - December 2019 APIs URM-115406
The Create Request API now has an option for the pickup location to be Personal Delivery. - December 2019 APIs SF: 00624824 URM-105762
In the Create/Update Bib Record APIs and the Create/Update Authority Record APIs, you can now block the creation of a new record if a matching one already exists. In all four APIs if check_match is true, the APIs will check for matching records, and if such exists, return the list of their IDs in an error message.
- August 2019 Acquisitions URM-38760
The real-time charts on the Trial Analysis page have been updated.There is a known issue that the numbers at the top of each bar can sometimes be overlapping when the encumbrance and/or expenditure balances are very small. - August 2019 Resource Management SF: 00605382 URM-104068
When a portfolio is activated for the first time in the institution zone (directly from the portfolio list of actions, not the Electronic Resource Activation Tasklist ), the history tab and the Information icon for the portfolio on the Electronic Portfolio Editor page now identifies the operator who activated the portfolio. Previously, the history tab was empty and the Information icon only provided date and role information. - August 2019 Resource Management URM-110325
Every [day-of-the-week] options are now available for the ProQuest Ebook Central Upload Electronic Holdings configuration profile to schedule the job to run on a weekly basis. - August 2019 Resource Management SF: 00683070 00420703 URM-108982 URM-108984 URM-107982
When entering record content in the MD Editor and entering special characters such as accents, Eszetts and umlauts, the MD Editor suggestions can be sensitive to these characters with a new parameter. For example, with the new parameter set:- When typing content with ß, such as Großbritannien, the MD Editor suggestions display only results that contain ß; and when typing values with ss, such as Grossbritannien, the MD Editor suggestions display only results that contain ss.
- When typing content with the umlaut character, such as Münich, the MD Editor suggestions display only results that contain the umlaut character; and if you type Munich, you get suggestions without the umlaut character.
- When you type content with a hyphen such as Baden-Baden, only results that contain a hyphen appear. If, for example, you type Baden Baden without the hyphen, only results that do not contain a hyphen appear.
- August 2019 Resource Management SF: 00672115 00673816 URM-108543
The Edit and Add record to editing list action buttons are now available on the Authority tab when viewing a Network Zone record from Browse Bibliographic Headings when logged into a member institution. - August 2019 Resource Management URM-102119
Integration with CALIS is now supported. See Integrating Alma with CALIS for more information. - August 2019 Resource Management SF: 00632128 URM-103889
In addition to Ctrl+Alt+E (which does something different on German keyboards), you can now press Ctrl+Alt+W to enhance a record in the MD Editor. - August 2019 Resource Management SF: 00511062 00517261 00520282 00525045 00551990 00659871 URM-87807
The Alma RSS publishing profile has a new option for publishing RSS feeds in RSS 2.0 XML. See RSS version 2.0 for more information. - August 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-109943
When configuring transformer rules for remote digital repositories (Configuration > Resources > Record Import > Remote Digital Repositories > Add rule), you can now configure linking parameters to be encoded in the delivery URL during source field normalization.
URL Encoding - August 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-110105
For new customers, ViewIt now groups the list of services by representations instead of by viewer, by default. - August 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-106960
Alma now supports the SWORD API for non-DC terms. - August 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-109370
When importing bibliographic records, titles can now be assigned to collections by External System with External ID for non-MARC records. - August 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange URM-105376
In the digitization process, a new confirmation message displays when neither a file nor a URL was supplied. - August 2019 Administration and Infrastructure / Fulfillment Idea Exchange URM-91629 URM-92480
Campus, Expiration Date, and Blocks are now available to appear in the user information pop-up window. See Configuring User Information for Pop-ups. - August 2019 Administration and Infrastructure SF: 00553262 00683732 00688821 URM-97721
Set disable_from_address to true to disable a librarian's ability to change the From: address when sending an email (General Message) to a user. A librarian can send a General Message when editing a user. See Configuring Other Settings. - August 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-108047
User identifiers Wikidata and VIAF were added. These were added to support Esploro but are available to all institutions. - August 2019 Analytics URM-108322
The following fields were added to the Institution dimension in all subject areas for which it appears:- Institution Timezone – the timezone of the institution
- Data Available As Of – when the data became available to analytics
- Data Updated As Of – when the data was taken from Alma
- August 2019 Analytics URM-107911
Enhancements were implemented in the Fulfillment subject area changes for loans that were renewed with the auto renewal process “Notifications - Send Courtesy Notices and Handle Loan Renewals”. The enhancements improve the performance of the nightly ETL, which was delayed for all sites when some sites had processed a very high number of auto renewals.Before this change, regardless of the renewal method:- The Last Renewal Date field in the Last Renewal Date folder displayed the last renewal date.
- The Renewal Date field in the Renewal Date folder displayed the renewal date.
After this change:- When the renewal type is Auto Renewal, the Renewal Date field is empty, so there is only one line for all of the auto renewals, and the Number of Auto Renewals field in this line displays the total number of auto renewals. Note that the Last Renewal Date field did not change and displays the date for both loans that are both type auto renewal and not auto renewal. There is no Last Auto Renewal Date field.
- When the renewal type is not auto renewal, there is no change.
The following is an example of the functionality before the change:
Before the ChangeThe following is an example of the functionality after the change:
After the Change - August 2019 Analytics URM-105067
The Vendor Access Provider field was added to E-Inventory > Portfolio PO Line and to Funds Expenditure > PO Line. It displays the access provider of the vendor. - August 2019 Analytics URM-102476 URM-102477
The following fields were added to the E-Inventory subject area. You can use them to match the journal title in Alma to the COUNTER report data and create useful reports when the same resource appears in different COUNTER reports for different platforms.- Portfolio COUNTER Platform (in the Portfolio dimension) – the platform of the portfolio
- Electronic Collection COUNTER Platform (in the Electronic Collection dimension) – the platform of the collection
- COUNTER Platform (defined in E-Resource of UI Alma) (in Cost Usage > Cost Usage Details) – the platform for calculating cost usage, defined in the Alma e-resource
In addition, the Normalized Platform (from COUNTER report) field was added to Cost Usage > Cost Usage Details. It contains the normalized name of the platform. - August 2019 APIs URM-102475
Add COUNTER platform to the API that creates an electronic collection. - August 2019 APIs URM-91620
The expected due date is now available in the item API. - August 2019 APIs URM-90073
When Summon Over Alma is installed, the is_selective parameter is added to the electronic collection output for GET and can be added or updated with POST and PUT APIs. - August 2019 APIs URM-109009
Request time is now available for the Get-Request and GET-requested-resources (task lists) APIs, including the exact time (HH:MM:SS) the request was placed. - August 2019 APIs URM-110104
When using the Delete-Bib API to delete a record in the Network Zone institution, the linked records in member institutions are now deleted as well. If the enable_deletion_of_linked_nz_record_without_inventory parameter is set to false (see Configuring Other Settings (Resource Management)), an error message is displayed and the Network Zone record is not deleted.
- April 2019 Acquisitions URM-90678
In the SUSHI Subscribers table, the Description and Code columns are now read only. When deleting a subscriber, a confirmation message appears to indicate that deleting a subscriber can cause an inconsistency with the loaded usage data. - April 2019 Resource Management SF: 00479307 00497015 00497212 00529555 00530724 00564508 00579627 00598194 00371370 00014585 URM-22253
The following tooltips were added to the configuration pages below:- Exclude Process Types from Publishing (Configuration Menu > Resources > Record Export > Exclude Process Types from Publishing) – In order to apply changes in the mapping table on existing data, a set of the relevant physical titles must be republished
- Edit Physical Location (Configuration Menu > (Select Library) > Fulfillment > Locations > Physical Locations) – If the "Suppress from Discovery" has been changed, a set of physical titles related to this location must be republished
- PubMed Publishing Profile Details (Resources > Publishing > Publishing Profiles > Publish electronic record to PubMed) – The "Name Abbreviation" is provided by LinkOut. You May use the "Get From LinkOut" button to try and retrieve your name abbreviation automatically from the LinkOut server based on your Provider ID. In case the LinkOut server is not responsive you can manually enter the name abbreviation you were provided with - please be aware that it is case sensitive and should be entered exactly as LinkOut provided it.
- April 2019 Resource Management URM-104403
Continuing with the feature added in March (see Related Record Physical Inventory for UNIMARC in the March release notes), the related holdings that appear for search results in a Physical Titles search are now filtered by subfield g, if display_specific_related_items is set to true. - April 2019 Acquisitions / Resource Management URM-96935
In cases where PO line / Additional PO line information is not available in the portfolio to send for data enrichment when running a publishing job, Alma now checks the electronic collection that the portfolio is linked to for PO line / Additional PO line data and publishes that information when it is available in the electronic collection. - April 2019 Acquisitions / Resource Management SF: 00641098 URM-98066
New optional condition options were added to the New Order import profile that allow more control over the suppress/synchronize options. See Import Profile Details - Set Management Tags Fields for more information. - April 2019 Resource Management / Collaborative Networks SF: 00601804 URM-99033
When working in the Network Zone, the Link to Community action is now available for a local electronic collection. - April 2019 Resource Management SF: 00621366 URM-103269
In the MARC 21 Bibliographic metadata configuration profile, the subfields p, q, and r were added to the 041 field configuration. - April 2019 Resource Management SF: 00508413 00223042 00238095 00314734 URM-63461
A new customer parameter, enable_deletion_of_linked_nz_record_without_inventory, was added. See enable_deletion_of_linked_nz_record_without_inventory for more information. - April 2019 Digital Resource Management SF: 00616390 00626983 00640222 URM-103942
The Enable Delivery Login checkbox (Configuration Menu > Fulfillment > Discovery Interface Display Logic > Other Settings), which was removed in February was restored. This checkbox determine if the delivery login link from the Alma Viewer and from digital services in the link resolver is displayed. For more information, see Enable Delivery Login. - April 2019 Fulfillment URM-96471
The SIP2 Renew All message (65) now sends the Borrowing Activity Letter (letter code: FulUserBorrwingActivityLetter) to the patron. - April 2019 Fulfillment URM-74873
The defaults for the User Registration policy, One month expiry alert, are now:- Name: One Day Expiry Alert
- Description: One day expiry default
- Unit of measurement: none
- April 2019 Fulfillment URM-86737
You can now choose to display only one block of each type when a user has multiple blocks of the same type. This is controlled by the new customer parameter, blocks_display_remove_duplicates. When false, which is the default, all blocks are displayed. When true, duplicate blocks are removed from the following displays:- The blocks list in the Primo My account page.
- The pop-up window that displays blocks when attempting to loan or renew an item for a blocked user.
- The failure message that displays when attempting to create a request for a blocked user, in both Alma and Primo.
- April 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing URM-88820
The RequestItem NCIP message now supports ArticleTitle and ArticleAuthor. - April 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing Idea Exchange URM-82353
The cancelation reason and cancelation note are now included on the resource sharing request history tab. - April 2019 Analytics URM-102651
The Expenditure trends for physical and electronic resources tab was added to the Acquisitions Analyics dashboard. It reports on expenditures for physical and electronic resources for the previous 10 years starting from the last closed fiscal year. - April 2019 Analytics URM-96399
The rules for creating the Normalized Source field (Link Resolver Usage > OpenURL Context Details) from the Source field have been enhanced. For more information, see Link Resolver Usage. - April 2019 Analytics SF: 00640795 URM-90961
The Price Note field was added to Funds Expenditure > Invoice Line. - April 2019 Analytics URM-70085
The Open URL field was added to Link Resolver Usage > Open URL Context Details. It contains the entire OpenURL. - April 2019 Analytics SF: 00598512 URM-72172
The following fields were added:- To Funds Expenditure > Invoice Line:
- Invoice-Owner Name
- Invoice-Owner Code
- To Funds Expenditure, Physical Items, E-Inventory > Fund Ledger:
- Fund Ledger Owner Name
- Fund Ledger Owner Code
- To Funds Expenditure > Invoice Line:
- April 2019 APIs URM-101507
You can now delete records through the e-collections API. - April 2019 APIs URM-93099
You can now create a single portfolio with both perpetual and current access with the API. - April 2019 APIs URM-81888
The 100 ID limit for itemized sets has been expanded to 1000 in the create-itemized-set API. - April 2019 APIs URM-102730
The create invoice line API now checks the invoice status before creating an invoice line. If the status is Closed, Waiting to be Sent or Ready to be Paid, the invoice line is not created. - April 2019 APIs URM-102640
The create invoice API now checks invoice_not_unique . If it is set to false and another invoice exists with the same number and vendor, the invoice is not created. - April 2019 APIs URM-100624
A new API is available that cancels a purchase request. - April 2019 APIs URM-90073
When summon_over_alma is set to true, the is_selective parameter is added to the electronic collection output for GET and can be added or updated with POST and PUT APIs. - April 2019 APIs URM-39188
work_order_type and work_order_at were added to the GET-Item API for information about the item's process type. - April 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-100973
Several ID types were added to the User Identifier Types code table, including ORCID, ISNI, Scopus ID, ResearchID, arXiv ID, eRA ID, Pubmed author ID, and Pivot ID. As Ex Libris customer support if you would like these ID types enabled or disabled for your institution.
- March 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00579997 URM-97058
The Negotiation Details tab in a negotiation license now has a View row action. See Centrally Managed Licenses for Electronic Resources in a Network Zone. - March 2019 Acquisitions URM-97413
The Order Line and Order Line Type labels are now PO Line and PO Line Type throughout the Acquisitions area. - March 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00466693 00225755 00378333 URM-60900
For an integration profile of type Finance, when an action is set to Active, the file path is now mandatory. See Financial Systems. - March 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00589116 URM-57906
When clicking a closed PO line's invoice line number, the invoice line will now open in view mode. - March 2019 Resource Management URM-85064
When bibliographic record linking (to authority records) is done by ID, preferred term correction now works for cases where there is no language indication in the bibliographic record and multiple preferred term options exist due to multilingual differences. As part of the preferred term correction process, the language indication in addition to the preferred term is copied to the bibliographic record. For MARC 21, the language indication is copied to $9; and for UNIMARC, it is copied to $7 positions 0-1. See Working with Multilingual Authority Records for more information. - March 2019 Resource Management SF: 00536407 00553953 URM-96762
Specific to the 3rd edition (2012) of the UNIMARC Authority format, the following UNIMARC authority fields were added to Alma: 231, 431, 531, 731, 232, 432, 532, and 732. These can now be accessed and customized in the UNIMARC Authority metadata configuration profile (Configuration Menu > Resources > Cataloging > Metadata Configuration). The filter in the UNIMARC Authority metadata configuration was updated to include these fields in the filtering groups. - March 2019 Resource Management SF: 00427448 URM-76366
When displaying related record information in the MD Editor, the PO line title is used when it is available. When no PO line title is available, the display of related record information remains the same. - March 2019 Resource Management SF: 00484176 URM-83085
The HAN resolver proxy type was added as an integration proxy option. See Resolver Proxies for more information. - March 2019 Resource Management SF: 00574999 00602976 00625884 00636754 URM-98050
There is a new report type available for the Authority Control Task List called Preferred term correction – Multiple matching AUT headings with same Originating System ID (ambiguous). See Using the Authority Control Task List for more information. - March 2019 Resource Management SF: 00537868 URM-92635
Government Document was added as an Electronic Material Type. See Electronic Material types for more information. - March 2019 Resource Management URM-98298
The UNIMARC authority metadata configuration profile was updated to include the following 340 subfields: b, c, d, f, and p. - March 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-102111)
The Terms of Use configuration page was renamed Terms and Conditions (Configuration > Resources > Deposit > Terms and Conditions). - March 2019 Fulfillment URM-100364
When uploading a file for a link digitization request, the file size limit is now 25 MB instead of 10 MB. The previous limitation of 10 MB is still effective when sending attachments. See Attaching Digitized Items to Be Sent to a Patron. - March 2019 Fulfillment SF: 00464191 URM-91657
When uploading a file for an attachment digitization request, if the attachment is greater than 10 MB, a message is displayed—Total attachments size exceeds max allowed size—and the processing of the request stops. See Attaching Digitized Items to Be Sent to a Patron. - March 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange: URM-99906
When returning an item on the Return Items page, if the next step is a locally managed work order, the next step now displays both the next step and the work order type—for example, Manage Locally - Preservation. See Scanning Items. - March 2019 Fulfillment / Collaborative Networks SF: 00583648 URM-97941
When a loan is made at another institution in a fulfillment network, the Loaned at library and Loaned at desk fields now contain the details of the borrowing institution. - March 2019 Fulfillment SF: 00549460 URM-98126
The loan status labels and renewal messages that appear on the Primo My Account page can now be configured on the Labels page, Fulfillment > Discovery Interface Display Logic > Labels. - March 2019 Fulfillment URM-99886
When you are at a location which has multiple printers, you can now check which printer you are currently connected to by hovering with the mouse above the Currently At icon. - March 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing SF: 00552602 00609995 URM-92288
Resource sharing request fields are now available in the XML for the General Message Email Letter (letter code: GeneralMessageEmailLetter). You can configure the XSL of the letter to add the details. The path is: notification_data -> request_display. - March 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing Idea Exchange: SF: 00379525 URM-72485
The due date for recalling borrowing requests will now be updated to the last closing hour of the request library, before the original recall due date. - March 2019 Analytics URM-93841
In Fulfillment > Loan, the Loan field was replaced by the following fields to allow you to create more detailed reports:- Num of Loans (In house + Not In House)
- Num of Loans (In House)
- Num of Loans (Not In House)
- March 2019 Analytics URM-84026
The Collection Name and Collection ID fields were added to the shared Bibliographic Details dimension in all subject areas in which it appears. These fields allow you to display in a report all of the collections to which a title belongs. - March 2019 Analytics SF: 00625631 URM-76839
The Citation Alerts field was added to Course Reserves > Reading List Citation. It list the alerts for the citation. - March 2019 Analytics URM-37721
The following fields were added to the shared PO Line dimension in every subject area in which it appears:- PO Line Owner Library Code
- PO Line Owner Library Name
- PO Line Identifier
- PO Line Vendor Title Number
- PO Line Manual Packaging
- PO Line Routing During Receiving
- PO Line Binding During Receiving
- PO Line Title
For a video describing this enhancement, see Analytics: New Fields in the PO Line Folder. - March 2019 Analytics URM-102711
The Service Details dimension with the Service ID field was added to the E-Inventory subject area. - March 2019 Analytics SF: 00607284 00607365 (URM-98950)
Analytics objects can now be scheduled for 8 AM. - March 2019 Analytics SF: 00627392 00629050 (URM-101115)
The IED field was added to Digital Inventory > Representation Details. - March 2019 Analytics SF: 00616442 (URM-100154)
The Related Record field was added to Funds Expenditure > Fund Transaction Details. It indicates the related resource sharing record. - March 2019 Administration and Infrastructure SF: 00542509 URM-90300
The Export Users by Condition job now includes a new daily scheduling option. - March 2019 APIs URM-95717
An option was added to the Request Options API to calculate display logic rules. Note that this is optional (opt-in) and applies only to print resources. - March 2019 APIs URM-88744
You can now set the Update or Create BIB API to fail if warnings are issued.
- February 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00551215 URM-24444
The following fields were added to the OrderNow.xml to include bibliographic details:- notification_data/line_title
- notification_data/mms_id
- notification_data/ckb_id
- notification_data/publication_date
- notification_data/publication_place
- notification_data/publisher
The fields must be added to the XSL in order to add them to the letter. - February 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00449574 00556178 00152700 00152771 00062120 00091402 URM-12552
Changing the bib reference on a PO line now updates the ISBN/ISSN from the new bibliographic record. - February 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00606299 00618265 URM-98446
The URL column was added back to the Excel export on the Manage Activation Task List page. - February 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00512090 URM-97953
When deleting a vendor, the vendor information is now removed from the licensor field. - February 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00595794 URM-97565
To address a performance issue, when receiving is completed from the Continuous tab of the Receive New Material page, the user now returns to the list of PO lines on the Continuous tab rather than opening the Manage Items page. - February 2019 Resource Management SF: 00553823 URM-98659
The publishing of deleted records was enhanced for publishing enriched bibliographic records when using the General Publishing profile. Previously, deleted bibliographic records were published with only a d in position 5 of the LDR to indicate a deleted record. When holdings enrichment is configured for bibliographic records in the General Publishing profile, the deleted bibliographic records that are published now also contain related holdings data. For example, the 852 $a is added to the published deleted bibliographic record with identifying data from the related holdings record's 852 $b. - February 2019 Resource Management URM-84996
There is a new condition syntax option, containsScript, for normalization and indication rules that can be used to check for a specific language. See the Conditions section for more information. - February 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-97621
The following enhancements were implemented in the MD Editor:- A new keyboard shortcut is now available for Tool > Dublin Core > XML/ Form View: Ctrl+Alt+X
- The following existing keyboard shortcuts located under Tools > MARC and Tools > DC are now displayed in the MD Editor:
- Add representation: Alt+R
- View in search: Ctrl+Alt+V
- February 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-99644 SF:00630009
Digital import profiles with Dublin Core source format metadata files now support any prefix (including default) being bound to the http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/namespace (instead of only dc). - February 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-9889
When configuring remote digital repositories (Configuration > Resources > Record Import > Remote Digital Repositories), the Other option is now available from the Remote System Type drop-down list to accommodate unlisted repositories. - February 2019 Fulfillment SF: 00457256 00476255 00485745 00529412 00554078 00608264 00429289 URM-73552
It is now possible to change the item information of an item that is on a hold shelf or on loan. The error message which previously blocked these actions was replaced with a warning pop-up that allows the user to continue with the change. - February 2019 Fulfillment - Resource Sharing Idea Exchange: URM-94677
A new cancellation reason, Item is already available, is now available. It appears in all request cancellation drop-down lists. - February 2019 Analytics URM-101452
The Cost Usage folder was added to the E-Inventory subject area. It enables you to create reports that display the cost per use for electronic resources. For more information, see Cost Usage. - February 2019 Analytics URM-94944
The reports and dashboards located under Shared/Alma/Physical Item Usage for Weeding were deprecated. Their functionality is now available with the Physical Item Usage for Weeding report located under /shared/Alma/Inventory/Reports. In addition, the new report was added to the Physical Items dashboard located at /shared/Alma/Inventory/Dashboards. - February 2019 Analytics URM-94675
The Actual Shipped Format field was added to Lending Requests > Lending Request Details. - February 2019 Analytics URM-92173
The Fund Fiscal Period Filter field was added to Physical Items > Fund Information > Fund Fiscal Period and to Funds Expenditure > Fiscal Period. It indicates the filter on the fiscal period (Current fiscal period, Previous fiscal period, or Two fiscal periods ago). - February 2019 Analytics URM-99147
As previously reported in the December and January release notes, you can no longer configure scheduled reports, links to reports, and widgets for out-of-the-box Alma Analytics reports from the Alma directory. They can be configured only from your institutional directory. For more information, see Widgets for Analytics Reports. - February 2019 Analytics URM-97852
The Campuses Name and Participants field was added to Leganto Student Usage > Courses and Course Reserves > Course. It displays the name of the campus with the participants in the course. - February 2019 Analytics URM-99502
The Last Loan Date (In House) and Last Loan Date (Not In House) fields were added to Titles > Title Details. - February 2019 Analytics URM-100188
The Fiscal Period Start End field was added to the following locations:- E-inventory > Cost Usage > Fund Fiscal Period
- Funds Expenditure > Fiscal Period
- Physical Items > Fund Information > Fund Fiscal Period
- February 2019 Analytics URM-94373
In all of the tabs of the the Title level overlap analysis dashboard, there is now an option to find title overlap by Title Author Combined and Normalized. - February 2019 Administration and Infrastructure SF: 00466061 URM-81661
When available, a user's photo now appears in the user menu of the persistent menu. There may be a slight delay between when the page loads and the picture appears.
User Menu - February 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-81835 URM-90660
All messages now appear in floating message panes on the side of the page. Messages are now coded by color and icon to indicate when they are a success, error, or information message. See Messages.For more information, see the video Improved Feedback Messages (1:55). - February 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-53988
On any page that has one or more hot keys that start with Alt+, press the Alt key to see the elements that are selected and their corresponding keys. Also, use the hot keys Alt+1, Alt+2, ... Alt+N to open the nth tab on any page that has tabs. For this feature, press the Alt key, enter the number (multiple digits are supported, so you can enter Alt+10, for example), and release the Alt key to open the numbered tab.
User Details with Hot Keys HighlightedFor more information see the video Navigate Between Tabs and Display Shortcuts Using the Alt Key (1:16). - February 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-18554 SF:00493114 00494607 00200531 00223023
The PO line information section of the Conversation Letter is now configurable in the user's preferred language. - February 2019 Acquisitions / APIs URM-90657
The Create PO Line API now supports adding multiple New Order integration profiles as well as sending the profile ID as a parameter in the API (for example, profile_code). - February 2019 Acquisitions / APIs SF: 00521548 URM-98800
The GET PO Lines API can now search by more than one acquisition_method. List the codes separated by a comma—for example: GET /acq/po-lines?acquisition_method=GIFT,EXCHANGE.
- January 2019 Acquisitions SF: 00541435 00543592 URM-91491
Two new fields, Subscription dates range and Additional information, are now available in the ERP invoice export XML. Both fields are under the <invoice_line> tag. - January 2019 Acquisitions URM-100862
Anonymous answers are now included in the statistics calculation of a public trial. - January 2019 Resource Management SF: 00465903 00501033 00501180 00556888 00575293 00577544 00422286 00468629 00164947 00182230 00362562 00396319 00422286 URM-93866 URM-81318
The total counts in your search results are now precise and not approximate. - January 2019 Resource Management SF: 00425709 00595338 URM-92362 URM-99057
The Browse Bibliographic Headings functionality now handles Spanish language characters as follows (if you have configured Spanish language support):Letter Search Sort Ñ/ñ Searching for Ñ/ñ does not retrieve results for N/n and the reverse. Sorted after n. Ç/ç Searching for Ç/ç does not retrieve results of C/c and the reverse. Sorted after c. L·L/l·l Searched for as if it were the digraph ll. Sorted as ll. Alma's handling of special characters is relevant for searching in the institution zone only. - January 2019 Resource Management URM-91904
To support Japanese language functionality for Repository Search, Browse Bibliographic Headings, and Browse Authority Headings, Alma performs the following (if you have configured Japanese language support):- Punctuation removal
- Normalization between Hiragana and Katakana
- Iterated character normalization
- Normalization of variant Kanji characters
- January 2019 Resource Management Idea Exchange: SF: 00608223 URM-98584
The following new match profiles are now available for repository import profiles:- Title Statement Extended Fuzzy Non-Serial Match Method (key: com.exlibris.repository.mms.match.TitleStatementExtendedCDLMatchingProfile)
- Title Statement Extended Fuzzy Serial Match Method (key: com.exlibris.repository.mms.match.TitleStatementExtendedCDLSeMatchingProfile)
These profiles have the same functionality as the Extended Fuzzy Non-Serial Match Method and Extended Fuzzy Serial Match Method profiles, except that when matching against the title, the new profiles match only by 245 abknp and not by 245 abknp, 245a, 210a, 246a, (which the Extended Fuzzy Non-Serial Match Method and Extended Fuzzy Serial Match Method profiles do).For more information, see Match Methods – Explanations and Examples. - January 2019 Resource Management SF: 00575576 URM-95883
Until now, when an item was in a temporary location, the enrichment fields were not published in the publishing output file when using the Primo publishing profile. From now on, any subfields that are added to the enrichment section are published with the record even if the item is in a temporary location. - January 2019 Resource Management / Collaborative Networks SF: 00522037 URM-89792
A new parameter, Ignore resource type during matching, was added to the Link a set of records to the Network Zone job. See Link a Set of Records to the Network Zone on the Running Manual Jobs on Defined Sets page for more information. - January 2019 Digital Resource Management URM-95851
You can now add custom headers when running the Remote Representation Migration and the Generate Representation from Existing Bib jobs. These headers are necessary when creating representations from remote repositories that have access right restrictions based on IP restrictions and authentication. To support this feature, the Add HTTPS Request Header link was added that allows you to add a name and value to the header.
Add Custom HeadersFor more information, see the Remote Representation Migration and the Generate Representation from Existing Bib jobs. - January 2019 Fulfillment URM-98326
When an item is scanned in a location other than its owning library and is being reshelved due to the Reshelve Without Transit rule, the destination field in the scan-in result now includes the owning library in addition to the location. For example, Reshelve to Main - Stacks (STACK). - January 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange URM-94678
On the Requests Monitoring page, the values of the pickup location and owning library facets will be now sorted alphabetically. - January 2019 Fulfillment Idea Exchange URM-96652
The Active resource sharing request limit policy now ignores active requests which were already returned from the patron to the library, but were not yet returned to the lender. See Adding Fulfillment Policies. - January 2019 Analytics URM-92003
The PO Line Inventory Library Code field was added to Funds Expenditure > PO Line. It displays the code of the library of the ordered inventory. - January 2019 Analytics URM-96412
The Title Author Combined and Normalized field was added to the Bibliographic Details folder in every subject area in which it appears. It displays 100 characters of the normalized title and the first four letters of the author. - January 2019 Analytics SF: 00587917 URM-97893
In the Acquisitions dashboard, the Transaction Date Fiscal Year prompt was changed to Fiscal Year Description. - January 2019 Analytics URM-95500
The following fields were added to Funds Expenditure > Fund Transactions and are useful for viewing trends and statistics on print as compared to electronic PO lines and expenditures.- Transaction Expenditure Amount of type Electronic Format
- Transaction Expenditure Amount of type General Format
- Transaction Expenditure Amount of type Physical Format
- Number of POLs of type Electronic Format
- Number of POLs of type General Format
- Number of POLs of type Physical Format
For a video explaining this feature, see Analyze Fund Expenditures by Physical or Electronic Types. - January 2019 Analytics URM-90553
The Courtesy Notification Sent field was added to the Loan Details folder of the Fines and Fees and Fulfillment subject areas. It indicates whether a courtesy letter was sent to the patron concerning an overdue loan. This field contains data only from the beginning of July 2018. - January 2019 Analytics URM-97211
The name of the Acquisitions - Expenditure Per Reporting Code of PO Line with prompt for transaction date range report located at: /shared/Alma/Industry Standard Reports/DBS was changed to Acquisitions - Expenditure Per LC Subject with prompt for transaction date range. - January 2019 Analytics URM-97211
The Invoice Line - Additional Information field was added to Funds Expenditure > Invoice Line. - January 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-53989
You can now navigate up or down rows in a list using the up or down arrow keys. Pressing down from the last row opens the next page (if there is one). Pressing up from the first row opens the previous page (if there is one).For more information, see the video Navigate Lists in Alma Using the Up and Down Arrow Keys (1:05). - January 2019 Administration and Infrastructure URM-100401
Alma is now translated into Japanese. - January 2019 APIs Idea Exchange SF: 00173742 URM-53275
It is now possible to submit a purchase request using an API. This enables the institution to seamlessly integrate with internal systems.
- December 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves / Analytics URM-78741
The Reading List Citation Create Date dimension was added to the Course Reserves subject area. It contains fields related to the citation creation date. - December 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves URM-113293
The button for translating a course name was removed as it was not in use. - December 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00698425 00700616 00718937 URM-117003
When adding a patron user as a list owner, a new parameter controls the assignment of the instructor role. The parameter, instructor_role_expiration_months, found in the Configuration Menu > Fulfillment > General > Other Settings page, controls how many months the role is active. When the parameter is set to 0, there is no expiration. - December 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00681864 URM-109988
On the Course Loader integration profile, a new field is now available. Select On Rollover Include Archived Lists to include archived lists when the coourse is rolled over. - November 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves / Analytics URM-115309
The following enhancements were implemented for Leganto Analytics:- The Active Citations and Active Sections fields were added to Leganto Student Usage > Student Usage.
- The Reading Lists without Usage report was added to the out-of-the-box Leganto Analytics reports.
- The following columns were removed from the Leganto Instructors Usage - Lists KPIs report:
- Number Register Students
- Student Engagement %
- September 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves URM-111312
You can now submit a DCS request even before the course has been added to the DCS. After creating the course in the DCS, you can then manage any requests created for that course. - September 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves NERS Enhancement (ID #6268) URM-108416
When you change any of the citation information listed in the Match by Fields table (see Configuring Citation Matching Criteria), a new resource locate is performed. In Alma, you are prompted to perform the resource locate (or cancel). If the citation was previously located, and the new locate process does not find a match, the citation is detached from the repository. If your institution is implementing Leganto, see Configuring Repository Locate Workflow for information about configuring this workflow. If the citation is detached from the repository, citation_detached_from_repository is triggered; see Configuring Default Statuses for Citations/Reading Lists) - August 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00629342 00636801 00637272 00673661 URM-102559
In any persistent or secondary search, unlike other searches, a search for course code, course name, reading list code, or reading list name a) also searches for special characters (such as commas and dashes), and b) is limited to a search string of 40 characters, regardless of the size of the entity being searched. - July 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves Idea Exchange SF: 00482532 URM-104008
Academic Department, Terms List, Course Year, List Assigned To, and Assigned Date (the most recent date that the list was assigned to an operator) were added as facets to the Reading Lists Task List. These fields are all columns on the page, as well. - July 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves / Analytics SF: 00491061 URM-79678
The Citation ID field was added to Leganto Instructor Usage Events > Citation Metadata Details. - July 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves / Analytics URM-105650
Searchable ID fields 4-10 were added to Course Reserves > Courses in Analytics. - June 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves URM-105741
You can now attach a CCC (PPU) license to a citation even if you have previously assigned some other license, such as Creative Commons. Note that, as before, you must delete a CCC license before you can add any other type of license. - June 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00559464 URM-103462
When editing a reading list, you can now change the order of the citations in the list using the Sort by field. You can sort the citations by citation title (ascending), author (ascending), last modified/created, or call number. If you are implementing Leganto, you can select to sort by instructor order, which is the order that the instructor sorted the citations. - June 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00629314 URM-103391
The default search field for the secondary search on the Courses page (Fulfillment > Course Reserves > Courses) is now All, by default. - June 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00592509 URM-101949
You can configure rl_auto_assign to determine whether a reading list is automatically assigned to the librarian that works on it. See Configuring Other Settings. - June 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves / APIs URM-99625
You can now use status=ACTIVE|INACTIVE|ALL with the Get-Courses API. - June 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves URM-96012
When cancelling a citation digitization on the Manage Resource Options page (see Managing Citation Fulfillment Options), the confirmation dialog box presents a new option Keep citation's copyright information (if this is a DCS request, the option is Keep citation's DCS request). Select this option to preserve any copyright record / request / DCS request that was made simultaneous with the digitization request. Clear this option to also remove the copyright record or request. - May 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves URM-109965
The option On rollover list creation mode was added for using the course loading integration profile to perform a rollover. Select Multiple to create a new list for each course or Single to attach a list to the new course if the list already exists. See Configuring Course Loading. - April 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00618142 URM-99411
You can now add additional reading list subjects. See Configuring List Subjects. - April 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves / Administration and Infrastructure SF: 00621397 URM-99993
The new user role, Course Reserves Viewer, provides read-only access to reading lists and citations in Alma.In addition, the View It row action was added for electronic citations on the Edit Citations page. Select this action to view the citation.
- April 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves / Anaytics SF: 00601707 00620663 00622046 00622576 00625702 URM-102485 URM-92477
Additional support for reading lists associated with multiple courses:- When rolling over courses using the course loading integration profile, if you roll over multiple courses associated with the same reading list, the new reading list is associated with all of the new courses.
- (Leganto only) Instructors can now roll over reading lists associated with multiple courses.
- The Reading List Bulk Update job now removes the course association from reading lists associated with multiple courses.
- The Citation Alternate Suggestions job now finds all reading lists associated with the course, including reading lists associated with multiple courses.
- Alma Analytics now displays all of the course information for a reading list with multiple courses.
- April 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves / Analytics SF: 00467428 URM-83599
The following event types can now be displayed by the Event Type field in Leganto Instructor Usage > Instructor Usage Events:- Remove citation
- Add section
- Remove section
- April 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00640637 URM-103787
40 additional lines were added to the Course Terms code table. See Configuring Course Terms. - March 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves URM-96323
Multiple Courses for Reading Lists: 1) When course instructors are automatically added as reading list owners, all course's owners are now added, instead of just the first course's. 2) The Instructors pane in Leganto now shows instructors from all courses, not just the first one. 3) The Bulk Citation Enrichment job now finds all reading lists associated with a course (not just the reading lists for which the course was the first course associated with the list). 4) In the Find Lists tab of Leganto, searching by academic department now searches for all academic departments of all courses associated with the list, not just the first. 5) When scanning in an item and associating the item with a reading list, the due date for the item is now taken from the reading list instead of the first course associated with the list. - March 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves URM-95604
The resource locate process and the check CLA permissions action now use both ISBN and ISBN-13 for matching. In addition, when relevant, these processes remove invalid characters from these fields. - March 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00525246 URM-88446 URM-97164 URM-101751
An orange dot in the Alerts tab on the Edit Citations and Edit Reading List pages indicates that there are alerts for the citation.
Edit Reading List - February 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00501401 URM-81597 URM-98086
You can now remove a specific type of alert when removing alerts on the Edit Citations or Edit Reading List pages. See Removing Alerts. - January 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves SF: 00518177 00606545 URM-91857 URM-98086
Starting from this release, new citation titles include bibliographic record field 245 subfields a, n, p, h, b, f, g, k, and s. Note that subfield c is not included. - January 2019 Fulfillment - Course Reserves URM-85391
You can now delete any alert directly from the Alerts tab on the Edit Reading List or Edit Citations pages.