Resource Recommender for Primo VE

Introduction

The Resource Recommender service allows you to recommend the following resources based on searchable tags that you configure in Alma: database, website, person, library information, library guide.

When a user performs a search in which the query exactly matches the searchable tag (which may be a word or phrase), Primo VE displays up to three associated recommendations at the top of the brief results. User's can see all of the recommendations by clicking the See all suggested resources link.

Related Webinars 

Primo VE - Become an Expert Series: Search Interfaces - PPT, Q&A

Configuring the Resource Recommender Service

1. Open the Resource Recommender Configuration page (Configuration Menu > Discovery > Other > Resource Recommender Configuration).
   
   Resource Recommender Configuration Page
2. Edit the following resource types to manage their recommendations as needed:
   • Database - Displays the database recommendations on the left side of the All Suggested Resources page.
   • Person - Displays the contact recommendations on the right side of the All Suggested Resources page.
   • Website - Displays the Website recommendations on the left side of the All Suggested Resources page.
   • Library Information - Displays the library information on the right side of the All Suggested Resources page.
   • Library Guide - Displays the library guide recommendations on the right side of the All Suggested Resources page.
   • Custom 1, 2, and 3 - Displays the custom recommendations on the left side of the All Suggested Resources page.

   The Resource Configuration Page opens:

   

   Resource Configuration Page for Suggested Database
3. On the Resource Configuration page for the selected resource type, select one of the following actions:
   • Add Resource (all resource types) - Allows you to add one or more resources manually.
     1. In the Add Resource dialog box, specify the following fields:

        Resource Recommender Fields

        Field	Description
        Key (required)	The internal key, which is used to track the recommendations and define the recommendation's code in the Resource Recommender Data Labels code table. Since the key is used as an internal ID, it cannot be modified later.
        Name (required)	The name that displays for the resource in Primo VE.
        Description	The resource's description (a maximum of 300 characters), which appears for the recommendation in Primo VE.
        Tags (required)	The search tags that trigger this resource recommendation. If you want to specify multiple tags for a recommendation, separate them with a semicolon. This field supports up to 3000 characters.
        Link	The URL that is used to redirect users after they click the display name in the recommendation. Not applicable to Person resource types.
        Link Text	If the Link field is specified, the system displays this text in Primo VE and redirects users to the specified URL when clicked.   Not applicable to Person resource types. This field supports up to 70 characters.
        Image URL	The URL used to display an image for the recommendation in Primo VE. Not applicable to Library Guide and Library Information resource types.
        Email	This field displays only for Person resource types. It provides the email address of the contact person.
        Email Text	This field displays only for Person resource types. If specified, this text displays instead of the user's email address. If left empty, the Email address of the person will be displayed. This field supports up to 70 characters.
        Note	Optional descriptive text to explain the use of this resource to staff members who may be configuring recommendations.
        Views	Select All if you want this recommendation to apply to all views. If you want to apply this recommendation to specific views, clear the All option and select the views to which you want this recommendation to apply.

     2. Click Add and Close to add the new recommendation.
     3. Click Save to return to the Resource Recommender Configuration page.
     4. Continue with the next step.
   • Add resources from electronic collections (Suggested Database only) - Allows you to add resources from electronic collections to which your library has a subscription. With this option, the system configures the default settings (such as delivery URL and tags) for the electronic resource, which you can modify as needed later.
     1. Perform an electronic collection search of the repository and then select all of the collections that you want to recommend.
        
        Repository Search for Electronic Collections
     2. Click Select to save your selections and to close the Repository Search dialog box. The selected electronic resources appear in the list of recommendations on the Resource Configuration page.
        
        Collections Added to List of Recommendations
     3. On the Resource Configuration page, edit the configuration fields (such as Tags) as needed for each recommendation in the list and then click Save. For more details on each field, see Resource Recommender Fields.
        
        Edit Electronic Collection Recommendation
     4. Click Save to save your changes and to return to the Resource Configuration page.
     5. Continue with the next step.
4. Enable each recommendation as needed.
5. Click Save to return to the Resource Recommender Configuration page.
6. Drag and drop the rows as needed to reorder the priority of the resource types

Importing Recommendations

The Resource Configuration page allows you to import recommendations per the selected resource type using an Excel file. Unless noted in the following table, all columns must be included in the specified order. For example, if you are importing recommendations for Library Guides, you must omit the image_url , email, email_text columns from the import file. You may leave any non-required fields empty.

1. On the Resource Recommender Configuration page (Configuration Menu > Discovery > Other > Resource Recommender Configuration), edit the the resource type to which you want to import recommendations.
   
   Resource Configuration Page - Database
2. On the Resource Configuration page for the selected resource type, click Import.
   
   Import Dialog Box for Resource Recommendations
3. In the Import dialog box, select the file to import (for example, Database_List.xls).
   
   Example Excel Entry
4. Select one of the following buttons:
   • Add Resources – Adds recommendations to the existing list of recommendations for this resource type.
   • Replace Resources – Replace all recommendations for this resource type.
   • Cancel – Closes the Import dialog box without importing.

Exporting Recommendations

1. On the Resource Recommender Configuration page (Configuration Menu > Discovery > Other > Resource Recommender Configuration), edit the the resource type from which you want to export recommendations.

   

   Resource Configuration Page - Database
2. On the Resource Configuration page for the selected resource type, click the Export button  and then select Excel.