Linking Parameters for CDI links

Some providers require specific configurations for the links of their collections to access their content. In these cases, special credentials should be added to the link to create a customer-specific URL.

For linkresolver linking, CDI users can configure these special customer linking parameters in SFX/ALMA, as explained here for Alma.

SFX Information about linking parameters can be found in the SFX General User’s Guide > KBManager > Linking parameters section and here.

For CDI Link in Record links, the configuration was done in Primo / Primo VE, using Templates as explained here.

Starting February 2024, CDI Quicklinks and Link in record links will be able to use the SFX/Alma customer linking parameters also in CDI Links, because they are now included as part of the Alma CDI publishing / SFX CDI export. This is supported for Collections with portfolios since February 2024, and for collections of type Database, since November 2024.
In Collections with portfolios, the Linking parameters used are those inserted in the collection's service, for the Link Resolver.
In Databases with out Service, the Linking parameters will be added on the collection level. This is new Alma feature since November 2024 release. See here for Alma Release notes.
 

The move will be gradual, as more and more collections will be changed to use the SFX/Alma customer linking parameters. In addition to this, CDI release notes are updated for any change of specific CDI collections which requires the linking parameter authentication to be configured.

Collections from Gale and ProQuest are prioritized. We encourage all customers who are subscribed to Gale and ProQuest collections to make sure their institution specific customer linking parameters are configured on the SFX/Alma collection.
All Gale Databases which are in CDI, and are now their linking is supported by Templates, will move to use the Database linking parameters on 1/1/2025. Customers are advisd to check the Gale database they are activated to and make sure they have the institutions linking parameters before, to avoid any disruption.

Add linking Parameters in Collections with Portfolios

To add or edit linking parameters in Alma, you can use:

• The Activation wizard (during initial activation)

• The Electronic Collection Editor Additional tab - for database collections

• The Electronic Service Editor Linking tab - for selective/aggregator collections 

In this example the collection is from Gale so the parameter is Gale one, LOC_ID, and the collection is an aggregator collection so the linking parameters are available in the Electronic Service Linking tab.

Or use the Electronic service editor (after activation), in the Linking Tab.

Adding the parameters now will not change how the links are working in CDI, as this requires change on Ex Libris side. But inserting the parameters to collections now will ensure that any change in CDI will not affect the users experience and make sure that linking will keep working.

Add Linking Parameters in Collections of Type Database

This is not possible while activating the Database but only when editing it.
when editing the database, go to Additional tab, and edit the parameter value under the "Authentication Parameters" section.

Notes

• When linking parameters are added to a Database, an indication will appear in the CZ updates task list.

• Only linking parameters defined in CZ can be used. It is not possible to add local linking parameters.

• For SFX/CDI customers, changes were made in the SFX December 2023 release to ensure that linking parameters are published to CDI and can be used for linking. If you have a local installation, please make sure that you have applied the December 2023 release Notes to ensure that the links will continue to work.

• Since the linking parameters are part of the Alma CDI publishing / SFX CDI export and the CDI activation processing, it may take some time for the CDI linking parameters to become available for users. For more information, see Managing Your Subscriptions and Free Content in CDI