[opal_migration_leads] Configuration Form Tips

Thu Jul 25 17:33:28 UTC 2024

What is the actual schedule for office hours and/or leads meeting tomorrow? The days, dates and times on the calendar are confusing. Thanks!

From: opal_migration_leads <opal_migration_leads-bounces at opal-libraries.org> On Behalf Of Heidi Beke-Harrigan via opal_migration_leads
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 5:37 PM
To: opal_migration_leads at opal-libraries.org
Cc: Heidi Beke-Harrigan <heidib at ohionet.org>
Subject: [opal_migration_leads] Configuration Form Tips

Hi everyone,

If you are working on or reviewing the Configuration form, I'm sharing some clarifying details based on questions we've received so far or that have come up in Basecamp. Configuration Form Office Hours<https://info.opal-libraries.org/calendar> also start tomorrow. Drop in with your questions anytime during the 2-hour period.

Configuration Form

Fulfillment tab:

  *   This form facilitates mapping existing data from Sierra into Alma. It cannot be used to map existing locations/collections to new ones. If you want to clean up your existing locations as part of your Alma implementation, do so in consultation with your Ex Libris Alma Implementation Team or make those changes one you have access to the Alma environment.
  *   The patron type section is intended to group the patron types listed under the Users tab and not to enumerate all the patron types you would like to eventually have in Alma. You will be able to expand your patron types in the Alma environment if needed, or if statistical differentiation is the goal, that can also be handled through user statistical categories.
  *   We're still waiting for clarification from Ex Libris about the "On shelf Request Policy" especially as it applies to multiple holdings for a title and the interplay between the fulfillment unit definitions and Policies, TOU & Rules.

Libraries tab:

  *   Do not add libraries that were not already specified in the Migration form. Those can be added later
  *   Ignore the campus definitions section and focus on the libraries (name and code)

Printers tab:

  *   This is optional. You can set up just one consistent printer code (example: ma-circ for Malone) and use your Sierra pick-up location as the description or whatever you prefer. This is the printer you select in column H of the Circ Desks tab.

Circ Desks tab:

  *   Column I and J - return receipts will probably be "User preferred email."

Locations tab:

  *   Only select one location as the default acquisitions location for each of your libraries. If you have only one library listed in the "Libraries" tab that means only one location would have a "y" in column L ("N" is assumed if you don't enter anything). Use the main stacks location or the location most often applied in your acquisitions process/templates.
  *   Theoretically all electronic resource locations will be handled by the P2E process, but as a backup Ex Libris is asking that all locations be mapped. Our recommendation is to apply a non-circulating location. This also applies for the OhioLINK resource locations.
  *   Do not delete unused locations. They reflect codes that were present during the data pull and need to be mapped. We recommend a non-circulating location type.

Users tab:

  *   All fields should be mapped, including the "999 default." We've been applying the most common or likely field which is usually the student field.

Policies, TOU & Rules tab;

  *   The form has also been significantly streamlined from the Vanguard version, meaning that most of the blocks OPAL libraries might use (number of items checked out, number of items overdue, fine and fee based blocks<https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Materials/050Alma_FAQs/Fulfillment/Fines_and_Fees> etc.) will be configured from within the Alma environment and not through the form. The "Block when overdue" fields you see in the form result in a block once the patron has returned the overdue item. That isn't reflective of the types of circulation policies OPAL libraries typically utilize.
  *   You are defining fulfillment for combinations of your location and patron types. The OhioLINK and SearchOhio pieces will come later and are not part of this form.
  *   Column 24: Max Renew Length: This refers to the potential total duration of the loan (initial loan period + subsequent renewals). So, if the loan period is 2 weeks and the patron can renew for another 2 weeks, the max renewal length is 4 weeks (initial loan + renewal period of additional 2 weeks). Alma doesn't count the number of renewals the way we're used to in Sierra.
  *   Column 26: Closed Library Due Date Management - "Forward End of Day" most closely reflects how Sierra worked.
  *   Column 34: Hold Shelf Period - we've been using 10 days as the baseline.
  *   Maximum items checked out are not part of the form and can be set later in the "Alma Patron Limits Mapping Table."

Resource Management tab:

  *   We recommend configuring any local 9xx field indexing from within the Alma environment instead of through this form. That section is also resulting in an error for the forms we've worked with so far.
  *   Call Number Parsing: select the parsing routine that should be used if you print spine labels. The routines are defined by number with examples in the documentation - Configuring Call Number Parsing when Printing Labels<https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/Physical_Resource_Management/070_Configuring_Resource_Management/060_Configuring_Call_Number_Parsing_when_Printing_Labels>.

Additional Configurations Form

  *   You will fill in #1 and #2. For #2 you can indicate external databases you would like to be able to search, including to import records from for copy cataloging (full list of available external sources here<https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Content/Knowledge_Articles/Alma/Knowledge_Articles/Alma's_External_resources>). If you have a WorldCat full cataloging subscription you would enter your OCLC authorization number and password (9 digits, usually starts with 100).
  *   The rest of the form contains information for your reference. Item #3 refers to the integration profile that is required to set up the gateway to be able to export from Connexion/Record Manager into Alma. This is the password Alma is assigning, but you can change it and indicate that on the form to let them know the password they should use instead.

You've made it through a list that seemed to keep growing today! Please feel free to post your questions and they can be answered for the group.

Best,
Heidi

[A picture containing text, gauge, clipart    Description automatically generated]
Heidi Beke-Harrigan, MLS, CPL
Library Operations Analyst
OhioNet | Suite 275 | 570 Polaris Parkway
Westerville, Ohio 43082
p: (614) 484-1068 | https://www.ohionet.org<https://www.ohionet.org/>
(she/her/hers)
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Book time to meet with me<https://scheduler.zoom.us/ohionet-heidi-beke-harrigan>

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