Alma on Laptops and Desktops

Preferred Browsers

Alma works best in the following browsers, in descending order of ease:

Google Chrome
1. Chrome keyboard shortcuts
2. Chrome help pages
Mozilla Firefox
1. Firefox keyboard shortcuts
2. Firefox help pages
Microsoft Edge
1. Edge keyboard shortcuts
2. Microsoft Edge help pages

Alma is not supported in either Internet Explorer (because IE has been replaced by Microsoft Edge)

Best Practices

You can have Alma open in multiple tabs. ExL doc: Alma environment in multiple tabs

Do not refresh the browser unless absolutely necessary. If you refresh a page, you may lose search results/re-run a search, lose fields you've already entered, or go back to a previous page. Searches should be re-run to refresh results, and some monitoring pages have a Refresh option in the header section or at the top of the monitoring list.

For more, please see the Ex Libris Knowledge Center page Browser and Operating System Requirements for Alma.

Logging In to Alma

Logging in with HarvardKey:

If you haven't logged in with HarvardKey on your computer recently, you'll need to go through the 2-factor authentication process.
Choose the device - phone number, text message, Duo app device, or token - that you use to log in.
On your own computer, click the box next to Remember this device for 30 days. This means you'll only have to type in your username and password, not have the 2nd factor of authentication.
If you let your browser remember your username and password for this site, you don't need to type them in every time. Just click on the red Login button and you're all set.
To claim your HarvardKey, recover your password, or change your personal details, visit the HarvardKey information pages. (https://key.harvard.edu/)

Logging In Without HarvardKey

If you work at a shared desk (such as a Circulation desk) or do not have Harvard Key credentials, your login screen will look different and you will not use 2-factor authentication. Log in with the correct username and password and you're set.

Logging Out

Alma will automatically log you out after 60 minutes of inactivity.

If you log in as yourself 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 to protect your account.

Two-step Verficiation for Harvard Key dialog box

Non-Harvard Key Alma login screen

Bookmarks

You can also create a bookmark by using one of the links below:

Easiest to remember if you're on a different workstation: https://alma.lib.harvard.edu
https://hvd.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/CAS
https://hvd.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/mng/login

Alma on Mobile Devices

Using Alma on a desktop or laptop is highly recommended, but there may be times when it's more effective to use a mobile tablet or smartphone. You can use both devices, but Alma is not built for this use, and may be awkward on a small screen. Also, keyboard shortcuts may be harder to use on a mobile device, especially the lack of F-keys in the Metadata Editor.

Using a Mobile Browser

Alma does seem to work well on a browser on a mobile device, especially tablets. It has been observed working on an iPad in the Safari browser app, but not directly in other operating systems. The Ex Libris documentation states that Alma is supported on iPad, iOS 11 or later; it does not mention Android support. Read more at the Ex Libris Knowledge Center.

Note About the Metadata Editor: The MDE relies on F-key commands for a number of functions, especially the F3 key that is the only way to link a name authority record to a 100 field. These keys are not available on a tablet, so be prepared to have limited functionality on that device.

The Alma App

There is an iOS/Android app for Alma that covers two basic Fulfillment functions: Scan in Items and Pick From Shelf. It does not include any other functions, and the Scan In Items function can only be used by locations that are designated as Circulation Desks. Because of these limitations, the app is not currently being used at Harvard.

Read more at the Ex Libris Knowledge Center - Alma Mobile.

Browser not supported