These are the recommended configuration settings for OPAL Libraries. Some of these require admin access. If you do not have access, please reach out to OPALHelp and we'll take care of changes for you.
| ALMA | INSTRUCTIONS | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred Term Correction Job | This job is disabled by default. To enable it, set the disable_preferred_term_correction_job parameter (configuration > resources > other settings) to false. | Confirm that the Authorities - Preferred Term Correction job is active. If it is disabled, contact Ex Libris support to enable it |
| ANALYTICS | ||
| Include NZ Managed Resources | Configure your institution's Alma Analytics to access and include Network Zone (OhioLINK resources) data. | Also applies to Ex Libris’ out-of-the-box ACRL/IPEDS reports |
| PRIMO | ||
| Duplicate Requesting |
If you want patrons to be able to request multiple copies of an item that Alma considers a duplication of an already existing active request for the user (items are "too similar"), the setting can be edited under Config > Fulfillment > General > Other Settings check_patron_duplicate_borrowing_requests |
When set to “true” (default), this prevents patrons from requesting a resource that they already have an active request for. If you leave it set to "true" and retain block for users, staff should still be able to request for users. |
| RapidILL | For RapidILL participants, make sure the "supports lending" box is checked and a lending workflow is configured. (Fulfillment > RS > Partners > Rapid ILL Partner) | ExL set up most institutions with only the "borrowing" option checked. |
| RAPIDO | Resource Sharing | |
| Automatic Renewals |
rs_auto_renew_borrowed_loans = true Also requires a Resource Sharing Auto-Renew rule |
OhioLINK Rapido pods are set to enable renewals and autorenewals. If the borrowing library has autorenewals turned on, any of your items checked out by their users will be automatically renewed. |
| Hold Shelf Default |
Recommend changing the rapido_hold_shelf_expiration to “circ_desk” (Configuration > Resource Sharing > General > Other Settings) which means the time will be based on the circulation desk hold shelf configuration. |
System default is to use the request due date, which is not what’s typically expected and can be confusing for users. |
| Limit number of holds per item or location | To prevent multiple people from placing requests/holds for the same item, there is a system configuration that EXL can set to mark already requested items as unavailable. This applies to internal requests (holds) and ship physically lending requests. The setting can be defined based on request type, for example "physical patron request", "shipped item", etc. and will not disable existing requests. | OhioLINK’s ICS is currently weighing whether this setting should be enabled across the board for all OhioLINK libraries. If you would like it enabled now, rather than waiting for the outcome of that decision we can submit a case with ExL. |
| OhioLINK Lost Book Fees | If you would like your TOU policies for lost items and fines/fees to apply to resource sharing items your users have borrowed, contact OPALHelp. rs_use_tou_for_lost_item Config > Fulfillment > General > Other Settings
rapido_use_tou_for_lost_item |
Currently, there is no centralized fee configured for lost OhioLINK items at the Pod level. |
| Renewal Letters |
Currently, there is no configuration setting to only suppress the courtesy notice when a renewal is pending, but you could customize the courtesy notice text to provide additional details, including the possibility that a renewal may be pending. |
Renewal depends on the lender's response, so the logic in the "AutoRenewItemLoanTask" adds the loan to the courtesy notice list because there is a failed or pending renewal. Alma sends the courtesy notice as a fallback in case the renewal is not approved. |