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Introductions
Welcome to Alma Overview. In this video, we’ll review Alma’s basic functions and structure, walk through the main menu and search bar, and learn how you can customize your Alma account, including setting Quick Links for frequent tasks.
What Is Alma?
In July of 2018, Harvard Library switched from the Aleph ILS to the Alma unified resource management system – both systems from the Ex Libris company. Alma is a web-based, hosted platform that brings together cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, selection, resource management (including eResources), course reserves processing, and resource sharing functions in a single system. It also provides tools for reference and liaison librarians and staff in preservation, collections care, and digitization departments.
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Alma also has a list of specific keyboard shortcuts you can use, available in the Alma documentation.
Logging In
Logging in: To log in to Alma, go to the URL and log in with your HarvardKey credentials.
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Logging out: Alma will automatically log you out after 60 minutes of inactivity. However, if you work at a shared computer, log out at the end of your shift or if you'll be off-desk for an extended period of time.
Training Notes
- For training, we will be using a copy of our Harvard information available in a separate website – a Training Sandbox. Don’t worry about “messing things up” in this sandbox, it’s here for you to practice in, so please go in and try things out.
- In the live/production site, however, please be careful of the quality of the data you enter and be conscientious of others' work.
- Any customization you make in the sandbox will not carry over into production & vice versa.
User Roles & Permissions
In Alma, everyone is assigned user roles and permissions for the specific locations that they need for their work. These roles and permissions affect more than just what records you can edit – they can also affect what you can search for, what information in a record you can see, and what actions you can take on a record. It will take time to become familiar with what your user roles & permissions will and won’t let you do. If you’re not able to see or do something in Alma that you need to to perform your work, tell your manager immediately.
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