SFX: What is Happening with the PressReader Collections?
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- Product: Alma, SFX, 360
- Product Version: All
- Relevant for Installation Type: All
What is happening with the PressReader collections?
We are currently working with PressReader to find the best solution to update their content in the Ex Libris Knowledgebases. The general title list we receive from PressReader does not accurately reflect various customers’ holdings.
PressReader has regional and segmented distinctions and different customers holdings vary accordingly. For instance, a public institution may have access to a certain title, whereas an academic institution one might not. Even within the same segment, geographical variations may exist. An example being a public library in Argentina accessing title X while its counterpart in the US cannot. These restrictions are quite intricate rendering use of a one-size-fits-all title list impossible.
We are currently looking into the possibility of replacing the general PressReader collection (Alma ID: 611000000000002086/ SFX ID 1000000000002086/ 360 DBID: PDI) with new regional and segmented collections (Academic/Public/Government) to better match the different customers holdings.
This change will also impact the regional collections that we currently have as the title list for those also do not accurately reflect customer holdings because of segmented distinctions.
1. PressReader Canada (Alma ID: 614910000000002202/ SFX ID 4910000000002202/ DBID: AJPRI)
2. PressReader USA( Alma ID: 614910000000002203/ SFX ID: 4910000000002203/ DBID: ABQTI)
3. PressReader Switzerland (Alma ID: 615450000000003403/ SFX ID: 5450000000003403/ DBID:) JGSWC)
4. PressReader Australia (Alma ID: 615490000000001264/ SFX ID: 5490000000001264/ DBID: PRISS)
In addition, PressReader title list coverage dates are dynamically calculated as 90 days backwards from the current date. This feature applies to a lot of their titles, but not to all of them. PressReader promised to supply us with the information about the percentage of the title list where this “90 days” feature is applicable, so that we can assess whether it’s possible to set up automated updates for the new regional and segmented collections we are looking to create.
Update November 29th:
On November 24th, PressReader supplied us with the information about the titles where this “90 days” feature is applicable. This information is currently under analysis by the Operations team to see whether it’s possible ingest and maintain the new regional and segmented collections we are looking to create. In addition, after initial evaluation by the Operations team, Ex Libris requested additional enhancements to the title list, and we are looking to hear from Press Reader if they would be able to supply the required metadata as part of their lists.
We expect to have an update on the dates functionality in December 2023.
Update December 17th:
Operations teams will be able to ingest most titles by PressReader, providing they will do the enhancements to the title list request by Ex Libris. However, we are currently unable to ingest coverage dates for any title with a start date under 30 days from current date. To do so will require development effort on Ex Libris side. In addition, as of today, we are still waiting for PressReader to confirm if they would be able to add the enfacements we requested to the title lists. These are essential for Ex Libris to be able to create and maintain the new collections.
Update January 7th
Press reader confirmed to us they would be able to supply the enhancements we requested to the title list. However, they are currently experiencing a back-end issue on their side and are unable to supply the title lists until the issue is resolved. They did not provide a timeline to resolution.
On our side, the development team is working to enable to automatically calculate coverage dates under 30 days.
Update March 28th:
We have received to sample title lists which are currently under review by the Ex Libris Operations team. Once approved, PressReader will supply the rest of the titles lists for the regional and Segmented collections and Ex Libris will be able to proceed with ingestion. For the time being these titles lists will be manually created by PressReader and supplied monthly to Ex Libris.
PressReader plans to supply us title lists for the following regiones/countries which will be divided in two segments Academic and Public:
Australia
Austria
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Korea, Republic of
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Portugal
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States
Once the regional and segmented collections will be created, Ex Libris plans to mark the current PressReader collections as “not maintained” and they will no longer be updated as PressReader will no longer be supplying title lists for them.
Please note that PressReader has a small number of customers that have variations in their catalogue from the regional and segmented collections Pressreader plans to send to Ex Libris. This this is due to PressReader sales model. These customers are advised to communicate to PressReader and to add the missing titles in their collection locally.
July 2024 Update:
The Ex Libris Operations team has reviewed the sample title lists submitted by PressReader and has approved them for ingestion. We are currently waiting for the provider to send us all the title lists for the regional and segmented collections. In addition, we are waiting for the development team to finish an enhancement that will enable to display dates under 30 days from the current date. The development enhancement is expected in September 2024.
August 2024 Update:
We have received the title lists for the regional and segmented collections from PressReader and our Operations team is currently working on the ingestion.
For Alma and SFX customers: the new collections will not show the coverage dates for journals with a start date under 30 days from current date. This is relatively small percentage of all titles in the regional and segmented collections and will not affect most titles in the collection you will activate. To enable the 30-day feature we need further development effort as product features do not currently support this. The Ex Libris-Product manager and Operations team will take this further with Alma and SFX product development teams, but we do not currently have a timeline for this. We decided not to delay the collection release and will work on this feature separately. Our goal is to display all dynamic coverage dates within a given PressReader collection.
- Article last edited: 07-August-2024