Library Guides: Alma Training: Acquisitions

Getting Started with Alma

Ex Libris videos provide an introduction to Alma and some basic acquisitions workflows. However, CUNY will have an Institution Zone, Network Zone, and Community Zone. Be aware that most Ex Libris videos do not mention the Network Zone (a collaborative feature for consortia).

Getting to Know Alma
"Orientation" series includes short videos with total running time of 15-16 minutes. At the end of the two searching videos, there is a handout of the last video. Other videos are arranged by topic and are more detailed for each area; running times are listed.
Alma Essentials
Includes videos, terminology/documentation, and links to specific sub-topics which are quite detailed. If you've already watched "Getting to Know" series, you can start with "Navigating in Alma" rather than the orientation.
Alma LibGuide from ExLibris
A very detailed LibGuide from ExLibris with links to videos, documents, updates, etc.

Getting Started

For CUNY-specific information, tune in to the monthly Q&A sessions or see the archived videos:

CUNY Alma Q&A Webinars

Day 1 Acquisitions Tasks
Tasks to be performed on August 3, 2020

Harvard Alma Quick Start Guides
Harvard has produced detailed guides and training information, but these do not include the Network Zone, contain Harvard procedures and policies which could be quite different from ours, and could be out of date.
Harvard Alma Training Videos

SUNY's training site includes recordings of training sessions, FAQs for specific activities, and other material.

SUNY Alma Training Guides

CUNY Acquisitions Training and Documentation

Getting Started--funds and vendor basics and preorder searching
Script of presentation by Kenneth Rosenberg, June 2020

Funds and Vendors
Video of presentation by Kenneth Rosenberg, June 22, 2020

Creating a Purchase order line (POL)
Slides of presentation by Maria Kiriakova, June 2020
Receiving One-time physical material
Script of presentation by Michael Waldman, June 2020
How to use the AcqWorkOrder
The AcqWorkOrder is used to track physical materials from when they are received until they go to the shelves
Receiving Continuous physical material
Script of presentation by Nancy Macomber, June 2020
Invoices
Script of presentation by Michael Waldman, June 2020

Funds and invoices FY2020
Video of presentation by Kenneth Rosenberg, August 4, 2020, on activating funds and entering invoices for the prior year

Ordering Individual E-Books
Script of e-resources training presentation, June 2020

Ordering Individual E-Books
Video of presentation by Kenneth Rosenberg, August 25, 2020. Updates information in June 2020 script.

EDI Ordering from ProQuest Books/Coutts
Codes to use for Acquisitions of Physical Materials and Ebooks from PQ/Coutts via EDI
Orders without Inventory
Script of e-resources training presentation, June 2020
Invoicing Continuous Orders
Additional fields in continuous order invoice lines.

More in depth: Workflows and Online Help

Alma Workflows for acquisitions and electronic resources management

Alma Online Help

The Acquisitions section includes

Purchasing Workflows

Invoicing

Acquisitions Infrastructure (vendors and ledgers/funds)

Standing Orders Workflow
ExLibris PowerPoint presentation. Standing order – Orders that are not repeated on a frequent or regular basis. Used, for example, for purchasing all the printed books by a particular author when they are published, or where a series of books are being published, but not necessarily on a regular basis. Physical monograph material is not received on the Receive New Material page. Instead, it is created manually by creating or choosing a bibliographic record, creating a holdings record, and then creating an item record, which you associate with the standing order PO line. You set a receipt date for the item in the Physical Item Editor.

Alma Training: Acquisitions

Getting Started with Alma

Getting Started

CUNY Acquisitions Training and Documentation

More in depth: Workflows and Online Help

Contact Information