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**Alma/Primo VE Main Resource Guide

This guide is one-stop site for everything related to FLVC's integrated library system (Alma) and discovery tool (Primo VE). Included are sections on training courses, basic functions of Alma, access to test environments, managing staff accounts, and more

Q&A and Discussion February 2025 New Features Webinar

2/25/2025 

 

If someone registered but can't attend (the webinar) will they be able to access the recording? Can we get the slides too? 

Yes.  Registration is primarily to receive a text reminder of the upcoming session. FLVC will send the recording and presentation slides to the registrants, and they will also be emailed to the Libs-All listserv and posted on the FLVC Libguides. 

 

If we need Rapid ILL lending counts, should we use the Rapid website? 

For College libraries, yes you can use both the Borrowing and Lending Stats in Alma Analytics. 

We are just over halfway complete with the College Implementation to RapidILL, Group 1 is complete for both Borrowing and Lending, with one minor exception.  Group 2 is Borrowing.  We’ll post a spreadsheet on the Libguide page which outlines the Groups, and the dates they started Borrowing or Lending. 

University Libraries should use the RapidILL Portal to find their Borrowing and Lending Stats.

With the exception of the two University libraries that either have been using RapidILL integrated with Alma, and/or are using Rapido.

 

Would it be possible to default to "Institution" when you are adding material to inventory in Alma?  That way, people do not accidentally add books to network inventory available to other entities and organizations.  

  • This question is related to Quick Cataloging in Alma.  The Option for Placement of New Record defaults to Network.  Having an option to default to Institution would be best for staff cataloging physical material such as reserves. 

Unfortunately, we were unable to a setting in Alma that allows this default setting, but agree that it would be a good one.   

There is a suggestion on Idea Exchange for this, however, it was made in 2018 and only got 15 votes at the time.    If any of you agree that this setting would be a good one, please vote for it in Idea Exchange, use the link above. 

With the research assistant: Do you know if there are settings that we can update with the AI search? For instance, is there a way to limit results to those that have full-text?    

Someone asked on the Primo listserv, “Do we know when the ability to limit a Research Assistant search to only CDI items that are available full text through our library will be available? Somewhat related, are we able to configure the page that opens when a user selects View More results from your library search to only search resources available full text through our library (rather than having the toggle set to expand search)?” Ex Libris responded: We're currently exploring ways to enhance the Research Assistant by incorporating full-text search refinement capabilities. While we don't have a confirmed release date yet, it's something we're actively investigating. 

https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Primo/Product_Materials/Roadmap/005Primo_Classic_and_Primo_VE_Roadmap_Highlights#Research_Assistant_-_Support_Refined_Search 

REF New feature: Thumbnails Include Images from Syndetics.  Do the thumbnail covers from Google leave web beacons? 

From the Syndetics FAQ: https://proquest.syndetics.com/faq/ 

What data does Syndetics Unbound collect? 

Syndetics Unbound uses the ISBN, title, author, and sometimes other bibliographic data (e.g. call numbers) found on the record to determine the work the catalog page represents, so we can show the relevant enrichment. 

Syndetics Unbound also collects timing and browser dimensions to help us provide usage statistics for the library and show the product in the format appropriate for the user's screen. All statistical data is stored anonymously. 

All queries use secure (SSL/HTTPS) requests. 

Syndetics Unbound does not request the user's search query or search history. We have no access to any patron information (e.g., names, checkouts, etc.). As is standard on the web, requests, such as requests for covers, are sent with their "referrer," which can include the search string. We do not parse, use or store these. 

 

What roles would a user need to see the add to itemized set links? 

"Any role that can perform a repository search can save a query in order to create a set and manage sets (a user can only manage sets created by that user). 

However, users can do so only for content types with which a user is allowed to work according to user's role.  

You need the Repository Manager role to see the combined results of sets made by other users. The Repository Manager can see/edit/delete public and private sets. 

The following roles are required depending on the content type of the set:" from Managing Search Queries and Sets - Ex Libris Knowledge Center 

Ref: New Feature:   Can everyone see the label or just the person who added the label? 

Labels on PO Lines display for all, so we suspect that it will be the same for this, although this is not specifically documented. 

 

For tech services folks re: the AI metadata builder in the MDE: When it says "enrichment" for the BIBFRAME, is it able to more or less create linked linked data BIBFRAME records from scratch or does it only enrich the existing metadata? I'm under the impression that for MARC it can (with supervision, remediation, etc) make them from scratch so wondering if this capability was available in BIBFRAME. Also curious if we know how good it is to connecting to authorities? 

Link to AI Metadata Assistant in the MDE Documentation 

The enrichment is done by the AI by pulling it from the existing knowledge available about books trying to be cataloged and any information given. When creating a record with the AI, you are asked to give the title, and all other information like author ISBN etc is optional. Then there is an option to include attachments (jpeg, pdf,png and gif) with relevant information about the book/resource like the cover or table of contents. AI will also use that to create a more fleshed out record. 

Reminder:  This is still in the works and could all be different after Ex Libris has finalized the project   

 

Discussion: 

New Feature:  Sounds Alerts in New Manage Patron Services 

Sound alerts in New Manage Patron Services UI Video.  Types of sounds at 92 seconds in. 

New Feature: Support for COUNTER R5.1 Reports 

Link to COUNTER Registry   

 Link to Ex Libris documentation for transitioning to R5.1 

New Feature:  Update PO Line title to automatically match the bibliographic record 

Sent form to ILS Coordinators to verify whether they would like FLVC to set this as default for everyone, if not already enabled.