Overview of the NDE Interface and Configuration
Introduction
The NDE UI is mainly an interface upgrade and represents a shift in the user interface design. All discovery-related data managed in Alma (such as local fields, local resource types, external data sources, labels, and other configurations) remain unchanged and utilize your existing set-up. This approach limits the learning curve and provides a strong starting point for migrating to the new UI.
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Many labels have been reused. New labels for the NDE UI are easily identified since they start with the prefix nde.
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You can use the existing Primo VE documentation in most cases. Configurations specific to NDE will be marked as such.
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As we shift from AngularJS to Angular 18, the new NDE customization Framework will support the same customization options and introduce new ones. In addition, we plan to add configuration options for common customization activities to simplify the customization process. More information will be provided when available.
This document summarizes the NDE interface by its various components, provides an overview of its new configuration options and highlights its new capabilities and differences.
Main Menu Links
An indicator is now provided to inform users that the link is taking them out of the UI.
The number of links to display in the main menu is based on the length of the labels and the browser width.
Configuration Changes for the Main Menu Links
The following label has been added to the Aria labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) to support this functionality for mobile devices:
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nde.aria.mainMenuMobile—Click to get more options
Language Menu
The Language menu is now dedicated to language selection in the NDE UI instead of being grouped with other User Area options with Primo VE's original UI. Users can easily find and change the UI's display language from the Main Menu Bar if your environment supports multiple languages. Once changed, it is retained for the current session only and will revert to the user's default setting in the User Area for subsequent sessions.
Configuration Changes for the Language Menu
The following labels have been added to the User Tile Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) to support this functionality for mobile devices:
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nde.languages.mobile.apply—Apply
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nde.languages.mobile.cancel—Cancel
User Area Menu
The User Area Menu lets users access their library card, search history, saved records, and personal settings. For information regarding the User Area, see Enhanced User Area. In the Original UI, this functionality was split between My Library Card and My Favorites.
After sign-in, the icon for the User Area Menu displays the user’s initials (for example, JS for John Smith). Hovering over the initials reveals the full username as a tooltip.
By default, the following options are active and appear in the following order:
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The Sign in/Sign out option is enabled by default and appears at the top of the menu.
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Overview - Opens the Overview section (which highlights the user's Loans, Requests, Fines and Fees, Saved Records, and Search History). Requires user sign-in.
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Saved Records
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Search History
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Settings - Requires user sign-in.
Configuration Changes for the User Area Menu
The following label has been added to the Library card Labels code table to support this functionality:
Element | Description |
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User Area Links page (Configuration > Discovery > Library Card Configurations > User Area Links) |
This new page configures which links appear in the User Area menu and in what order: Saved searches, My Loans, My Requests, My Fines and Fees, Settings, Search History, My Library Activity, and My favorites. For more information, see Configuring the User Area Menu. |
Library card Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
nde.overview.myLibraryActivity—My Library Activity |
Search Area
The Search Area contains the search box, filters, top-level facets, sort type selector, and a toggle between simple and advanced searches. NDE includes the following improvements:
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The search profiles have been relocated to appear prominently on the left of the search bar.
Prominent Location to Access Scopes -
If you are using two levels of scopes (such as for multi-campus/library configurations), a separate drop-down is provided for each level:
Support for Two-Level Scopes -
When switching to another scope after previously performing a search, a new search is invoked automatically for users.
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If more than 10 scopes are defined, there will be an option to search within the list of scopes:
Search for Scopes in List -
The search bar and facets line remain fixed at the top of the search results during scrolling, ensuring prominent access to search and filtering options.
Persistent Search Area above Results
Configuration Changes for the Search Area
The following labels have been added to the Search Tile Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) to support this functionality:
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nde.search.tooltip—Search
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nde.search.clear.tooltip—Clear
Advanced Search
The Advanced Search is opened as slide panel on the side of the current page in the UI, providing increased visibility of search results after searching in Advanced Search.
Based on user studies and feedback, more improvements are planned for March or April.
Configuration Changes for Advanced Search
The following labels have been added to support the above changes to the Advanced Search page. For additional configuration options, see Advanced Search Configuration Tab.
Code Table | Description |
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Search Tile Labels (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
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Aria Labels (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
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Resource Types Filter Bar
The Resource Type Filter Bar appears in Simple and Advanced Search to allow users to filter their results by resource types. Previously, this option was permitted only from Simple Search.
This functionality is not supported on mobile devices.
Facets
The facets are closed by default and appear below the Resource Types Filter Bar/Pre-filter selectors and are closed by default. Users can open the Facet pane by selecting All Filters. The top-level facets (such as Available online) appear on the same line as the All Filters button and are configurable.
The summary for a selected facet now includes the Boolean operation between selected values, providing a clear summary of the facet's scope:
The following labels have been added to support the above changes to the Facets. For additional configuration options, see Brief Results Tab.
Code Table | Description |
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Aria Labels (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
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Results Tile Labels (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
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Brief Record Display
The Brief Record Display refers to the information displayed for each record in the results list and at the top of the record's Full Display page. The following changes have been made to this information (which is configurable):
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Descriptive labels (such as Summary and Published on) were added to the display lines.
Descriptive Labels for Display Lines -
Record indicators (such as Open Access and Peer Reviewed) are now grouped prominently at the top next to the record's resource type.
Record Indicators on Top -
Record actions are grouped by the following categories and displayed at the top:
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Share—This category consists of the following actions: Email, Permalink, Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and QR.
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Citations—The citation options are configured on the Citations Styles List page (Configuration > Discovery > Other > Citations Styles). For more information, see Managing Citation Styles for Primo VE.
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Export—This category consists of the following actions: Print, RefWorks, EndNote, EasyBib, RISPushTo, BibTeXPushTo, Mendeley, Excel, and Leganto.
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Email—Currently, this functionality is not available. It will use the system's external email client rather than Primo's client, which will be the default behavior. This action will be available for single records (not bulk exports).
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Favorites—A new confirmation message is provided to remove an item from the favorite's list.
Grouped Record Actions -
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Availability – Quicklink with drop-down to other online options.
Online Availability Options
Configuration Changes for the Brief Record Display
The following labels have been added to support the above changes to the Brief Record Display. For additional configuration options, see Brief Record Display Tab.
Code Table | Description |
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Results Tile Labels (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) To hide a label, specify NOT_DEFINED in the Description column. |
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Aria Labels (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
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Favorites Labels (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
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FRBR
The visualization of FRBR versions for generic record is now aligned with the fields configured in the brief results. Previously, the generic record was aligned only with the title and creator fields.
The following labels have been added to the Results Tile Labels code table to support this functionality:
Code | Description |
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nde.frbrversion.indication |
Other versions available ({0}) - Full versions list |
nde.frbr.fullVersionsList |
Full versions list |
Resource Recommender - Banner
The Resource Recommender service enables you to recommend the following resources based on searchable tags you configure in Alma: database, website, person, library information, and library guide. NDE offers the option to display the banner vertically on the side of the page.
Configuration Changes for Resource Recommender
The Use Vertical Banner check box has been added to the Resource Recommender Configuration page (Configuration > Discovery > Other > Resource Recommender Configuration). When selected, the banner appears on the side of the page instead of at the top.
Full Record Display
The Full Display Page displays all information regarding a record: brief display lines, record details, request sections (View Online and Get It), and so forth. NDE includes the following changes:
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Search bar and main menu links available at the top of the page.
Search Area on Full Display Page -
Requests section - Added a dedicated Requests area to manage requests and other request services. Item-level requests will be provided in the Locations section.
Dedicated Requests Area -
Locations section - showing the availability of the items group by locations or library/locations. Unlike Primo VE, request services are no longer part of this section unless item-level requests are available.
Dedicated Locations Area -
Digital Versions section: We have added a dedicated section for Digital services. With Primo VE this was included under the View Online section.
Dedicated Digital Versions SectionThe services under the Digital Versions section will lead to an external viewer as it is today. An improved digital experience is planned for November 2025 (the Quick Access section is unavailable and will be replaced with an embedded digital viewer).
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Users can now expand/collapse sections by selecting the Plus and Minus icons.
Collapsible Sections -
Exploration services - Virtual Browse has its own dedicated section, and bX Recommendations/Syndetics display in the right panel.
Virtual Browse Section -
A new Places Map widget appears in the record's full display when geographical coordinates are included in the subfields of the KORMARC/MARC21 field 034 and the UNIMARC field 123:
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$d—westernmost longitude
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$e—easternmost longitude
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$f—northernmost latitude
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$g—southernmost latitude
Map Widget on Full Display PageFor more information, see Configuration Changes for the General Tab.
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Enhanced Request Forms
Request forms enable the user to place a hold on an item, request a purchase, or request a digital version. With NDE, the various forms open as pop-up windows, closing on submission or after selecting the X button.
Improved user feedback, adding a navigation link to User Area > Requests upon submission:
Enhanced Collection Discovery
The Collection Discovery interface enables users to browse collections defined in Alma. For more information about Alma collections, see Managing Collections. This functionality is still under development and will include the following in NDE:
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Searches within collections/sub-collections will include all matching items and a reference to the parent collection/sub-collection from which they were found.
Search from Collection Lobby -
Filters will be displayed within the collection and sub-collections but not on the Collection Lobby page. (The Filters button will be visible, but its functionality will be available after the General release.)
Collection Lobby - Filters -
Two display options: Gallery View and List View.
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A unified sorting method, consistent with brief results sorting.
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Sub-collections will be displayed before items on collection/sub-collection pages.
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Up to 50 items per page, with a Load More button for pagination.
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Improved navigation within collections, with previous/next record browsing for items.
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After clicking an item and returning to the previous level, the focus will remain on the item previously accessed.
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Default images will be used when no custom images are configured.
Configuration Changes for Collection Discovery
The following labels have been added to the Collection Discovery Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) to support this functionality:
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nde.colldiscovery.showingResults—Showing <number of results displayed> of <number_of_results> results for "<search_term>"
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nde.colldiscovery.partOf—Part of
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nde.colldiscovery.resultsSummary—Showing <number of results displayed> of <number of total results>
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nde.colldiscovery.description.tooltip—Click for more information
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nde.colldiscovery.showingResultsHeader—Collections
Enhanced User Area
The User Area in the NDE UI includes library activities (Loans, Requests, Fines & Fees, and Blocks & Messages), saved records, searches and settings, providing a centralized, user-friendly space for personal management. Configuration is available to define the options to display in the new User Area. As with other pages in the NDE UI, the search bar and the header always appear at the top of the page.
The links on the left side of the User Area provide access to the following tabs in the User Area:
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Loans
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Requests
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Fines and Fees
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Blocks and Messages
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Saved Records
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Saved Searches
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Search History
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Settings
Configuration Changes for the User Area
The User Area menu always appears at the top of the NDE UI. The following table lists the configuration options for the User Area.
Element | Description |
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User Dashboard Configuration page (Configuration > Discovery > Library Card Configurations > User Dashboard Configuration) |
This new page configures which options to include in the User Area and whether to include them on the Overview page. User Area Dashboard Configuration Page
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Search Tile Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
The following labels have been added to support the above changes to the User Area:
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Aria Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
The following labels have been added to support the above changes to the User Area:
Loans Tab:
Requests Tab:
Fines and Fees Tab:
Settings Tab:
Search History Tab:
Saved Records Tab:
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Favorites Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
The following labels have been added to support the new Search History tab in the User Area:
The following labels have been added to support the new Saved Records tab in the User Area:
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Library card Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
The following labels have been added to support the new Requests tab in the User Area:
The following labels have been added to support the new Fines and Fees tab in the User Area:
The following labels have been added to support the new Settings tab in the User Area:
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Loans List Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
The following labels have been added to support the new Loans tab in the User Area:
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Personal Settings Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) |
The following labels have been added to support the new Settings tab in the User Area:
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Landing Page
The landing page is the entry point for library discovery in the NDE UI. The path for the landing page is /nde/home. For example:
The best practices for customizing the landing page will be provided soon.
Configuration Changes for the Language Menu
The following label has been added to the Search Tile Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) to support this functionality:
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nde.landing.header—Your Discovery Begins Here
View Configuration Page
This section highlights new features available with the NDE UI and provides recommendations for setting up your NDE view on the View Configuration page (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Configure Views). For more information, see Configuring Discovery Views for Primo VE.
General Tab
The General tab configures general features for your view. NDE views have the NDE check box selected. This check box cannot be changed once the view is created.
The NDE UI uses the same general attributes as Primo VE. Some functionality (such as the Highlighting the Reference Entry on the Top feature) may not be ready and may become available after the general release in May 2025.
The following attributes have been added to the General Attributes section on the View Configuration - General Tab (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Configure Views) to enable/disable various features in the NDE UI:
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Enable Did You Mean—This check box indicates whether the Did You Mean feature is enabled for the NDE UI.
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Enable Places Map Widget—This check box indicates whether maps of places appear in a record's full display. For more information, see Full Record Display.
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Logo Clickable URL—This field configures the link for the logo in the NDE UI. If no URL is defined, the Discovery home page will be displayed when the logo is clicked.
With the original UI, this functionality was configured on the Customization Package Manager page.
Links Tab
The Links Menu tab on the View Configuration page defines the links on the Main menu, which appear at the top of the UI. You can reuse your existing configuration, deactivating any functionality still under development. The Library Search link will take users to the Landing Page:
Search Profile Slots Tab
Search profile slots, comprised of one or more search profiles (see Configuring Search Profiles), enable users to narrow their searches to material under specific categories (such as the full catalog, journals, or items from a specific campus only). You can reuse your existing configurations.
Advanced Search Configuration Tab
The Advanced Search Configuration tab configures Advanced Search. The Enable For Basic Search option, which enables pre-filters for Basic Search, is no longer relevant to the NDE UI. You can continue to use your existing configuration for all other options on this tab.
The following labels have been added to the Search Tile Labels code table (Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Labels) to support all new titles on the Advanced Search page:
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nde.advanced.deleteRow.tooltip—Remove line
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nde.landing.header—Your Discovery Begins Here
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nde.search.clear.tooltip—Clear
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nde.search.tooltip—Search
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nde.advanced.showResultsFrom—Show results from
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nde.advanced.Filters—Filters
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nde.advanced.edit—Edit
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nde.advanced.searchSummary—Searched for:
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nde.advanced.date—Date
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nde.advanced.searchInScope—Search In
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nde.advanced.query—Query
Brief Results Tab
The Brief Results tab configures the information displayed on the Brief Results page, which opens after performing a search in the NDE UI. The following configuration changes have been made for the NDE UI:
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The Quick Filters section has been added to define the quick filters that appear at the top of the results, enabling users to select commonly used availability filters: Full-Text online, Available in the library, Peer-reviewed journals, and Open access.
Brief Results Tab - Quick Filters SectionIf the Availability facet is disabled in the Facets section, it will not appear as a quick filter even if activated in the Quick Filters section.
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In the June 2025 release, you can activate the code CollectionDiscovery for facets under the Facet section to include the facets in search results for searches in Collection Discovery.
Facets Section - Support Facets in Collection Discovery
Brief Record Display Tab
The Brief Record Display tab configures the information displayed for each record on the Brief Results page. The following changes have been made to support the NDE UI.
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Configuration options were added to display the Summary and Snippet fields.
Brief Record Display Tab - NDE Display Fields
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Configuration options were added to group record actions in the following categories: Share Actions, Export Actions, Citation, and Save to Favorites. The Share Actions and Export Actions are configurable from this tab.
Brief Record Display Tab - NDE Record Actions
The Email action will be available after the General Release. We are changing the email method to a client email method for enhanced security and personalization.
Full Record Services Tab
The Full Display page opens when a user selects an area within a record's brief display that does not contain hypertext links. Selecting on the title or the availability link in the record's brief display may also take the user to the Full Display page. The following changes have been made to support the NDE UI:
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A configuration option was added to indicate whether a section is expanded by default.
Full Record Services Tab - Expand by Default Option
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Added the requests code to configure the new Requests section on the Full Display page. It is recommended that this section be placed at the top to make it easier for users to submit requests from the library. You can configure this section to expand all requests by default, and if disabled, up to three requests are displayed with an option to view more.
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Locations section (getit_link1)—It is recommended that this section be renamed Locations since it only shows the items’ availability. This capability is currently under development. In addition, this section will support the following:
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We will support two levels of display: group by library or each location separately. This is configured with the new getit_group_by_library parameter on the Discovery Customer Settings page (Configuration > Discovery > Other > Customer Settings)
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We will now support only three display fields per item instead of four. This configuration is provided on the Items Display Configuration page (Configuration > Discovery > GetIt configuration > Items display configuration).
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Manage Customization Package Tab
The Customization Package Manager enables you to upload and manage customization packages, which allows you to brand and further customize the NDE UI. If no packages are loaded, the system uses the out-of-the-box configurations. For more information, see Customization Best Practices. The following changes have been made to support the NDE UI:
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Customization Package—Brand your NDE UI.
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Color Theme—Select a color theme from a closed list of colors.