October 07, 2024

The WRLC Library Staff  Intranet, which has served as a repository for statistical reports and analytics, is currently undergoing improvements related to analytics reports. With the transition to Alma analytics and the gradual departure from Voyager-generated reports, the intranet has over time become cluttered with various reports in sometimes hard-to-find locations. To resolve these challenges, the WRLC has implemented two new initiatives: updating and deduplicating statistical reports on the intranet, and developing interactive analytics capabilities based on data from Alma. AI tools, such as ChatGPT, were leveraged to test and optimize code, accelerating the development process. Reports can now be displayed on the intranet using scheduled, cached data, with visualizations created through Google Sheets that help users interpret the data more effectively.

Update and Deduplicate Statistics

The first phase of the project was to replace the old canned reports with new versions from Alma analytics and displaying the results directory on the WRLC intranet. Several high-priority reports are now available at https://www.libraries.wrlc.org/category/statistics-and-reports as indicated with the “Alma Analytics” badge.

Interactive Analytics

The second initiative focuses on making WRLC’s analytics more accessible through an interactive web interface that allows users to filter and retrieve reports dynamically.

Interactive Analytics such as “CLS Loans per Institution by Date Range” and “Number of Loans per Institution by Date Range” will be available soon.

Additional Opportunities for Alma API Utilization

While working on these projects, WRLC staff identified additional opportunities for utilizing Alma’s API to enhance other areas. The groundwork for further API integrations within WRLC’s operations has been laid.  For example, implementing real-time tray counts during SCF processing has improved workflow efficiency. Similarly, tracking SCF refiling and reshelving statistics through the Alma API will further optimize library operations and data management.

Help us out!

We invite all library staff to participate in shaping the future of our analytics capabilities by helping identify new reports that would be valuable for inclusion on the WRLC intranet. Your input is essential as we continue to improve the accessibility and interactivity of Alma Analytics. Whether you have suggestions for specific reports or are interested in learning more about the functionality and potential of Alma analytics, we encourage you to share your ideas. Please fill out the form linked below to submit your recommendations and express interest in future training opportunities.

There are no current job listings at this time. Check back soon for more opportunities to work within the WRLC!

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September 03, 2024

In This Issue

• News from American University
• Alma Network Zone Consortia Webinar Series
• Community Highlights
• WRLC Job Listings

Latest News

Absentee Ballot Days in the Bender Library at AU:

From September 16 through 20, the American University Library will host “Absentee Ballot Days in the Library.”  This event was founded at AU Library in 2018 and has been offered every federal election cycle since.  Through this initiative, we have helped thousands of our students vote.  During this event and in partnership with many other groups (student affairs, student government, first year advising, DC League of Women Voters, and several non-partisan student groups) and campus volunteers help students navigate the forms to verify their registration, register, request an absentee ballot, and know what to do when they receive their ballot.  The library provides stamps, envelopes, free printing, ID copying, signed witnesses and notary services to our students—all for free. 

We are happy to share our work to make the lift easier if your library is interested in providing a similar event.  You can find detailed information at AU’s “Request a Ballot by State” Libguide, which is available on a Creative Commons license and can be easily adapted and branded (https://subjectguides.library.american.edu/request-a-ballot/State_information). If you are interested or have questions, please contact Gwendolyn Reece (greece@american.edu).

The Launch of the Digital Research and Inquiry Lab:

The AU Library has just launched the Digital Research and Inquiry Lab (DRI Lab) on the main floor of the Bender Library. The DRI Lab represents an exciting new chapter in our ongoing efforts to empower our faculty and students with the tools and support they need for successful research.

The DRI Lab was designed to provide a one-stop-shop for expertise and guidance on assignment design, technology selection, and project planning to support student success. We offer tools, training, and one-on-one consultations to both instructors and students who want help navigating digital methods and resources effectively. The DRI Lab was recently featured in the CTRL Beat under the title "Unleashing the Power of Digital Research: A Game Changer in Experiential Learning. Additional information about the Lab and its services is available atour website. Please feel free to reach out directly to the digital research team atdigitalresearch@american.edu.  

Ex Libris is presenting a summer webinar series focused on network zone configurations for consortia. Sessions include:

• The Alma collaborative network and the shared catalog in a network zone consortia

• Automated Fulfillment Network in a Network Zone Consortia

• How to Manage Electronic Resources in a Network Zone Consortia Using Inventory Network Groups

• Using a Shared User file in a Network Zone Consortia

• Consortia Central Configuration dashboard for distributing shared configuration across members

• Alma Analytics for Network Zone Consortia

• How to Restrict Editing Bibliographic Fields by Network Zone Members

• How to Control Where to Save New Records Templates and Rules From a Member Institution of a Network Zone Consortia

• How to Combine Institution and Network Zone Search Results in the Member Institution

• How to Use Local Extensions for Member Institutions of a Network Zone consortia

• An overview of collaborative network configurations in Primo VE

There are no current job listings at this time. Check back soon for more opportunities to work within the WRLC!

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August 05, 2024

In This Issue

• FY 2025 WRLC Strategic Planning Process
• Alma Network Zone Consortia Webinar Series
• Community Highlights
• WRLC Job Listings

Latest News

At their March meeting, the Library Directors Council approved a WRLC strategic planning process for FY25 that includes temporary changes to the current committee structure (see chart below). There will be opportunities for all library staff to provide input and comments on strategic planning later in the fall. In order to align and optimize the work of WRLC and our partners, committee structure will be determined during Spring 2025 after the strategic plan priorities are finalized. 
 

During FY25, all continuing committees will provide quarterly updates to their WRLC Staff Liaisons. The updates will be compiled for LDC discussion and review. Any additional committee questions that would have been handled by the Steering Committee can also be sent to LDC through the WRLC Staff Liaison. Continuing committees are expected to meet as necessary to complete any remaining tasks from previous initiatives and address normal annual operations in their relevant areas. During FY25, APAC will address a small number of ongoing responsibilities (ex. NERS voting)  via asynchronous engagement on Basecamp.

Washington Research Library Consortium

2024 Strategic Planning Process
 

The intended outcome of this process is a strategic plan document that (a) includes, and aligns with, the  WRLC vision, mission, and strategic priorities and that (b) defines 3-5 high level initiatives that reflect what WRLC partner institutions aspire to accomplish together through 2028.

Ex Libris is presenting a summer webinar series focused on network zone configurations for consortia. Sessions include:

• The Alma collaborative network and the shared catalog in a network zone consortia

• Automated Fulfillment Network in a Network Zone Consortia

• How to Manage Electronic Resources in a Network Zone Consortia Using Inventory Network Groups

• Using a Shared User file in a Network Zone Consortia

• Consortia Central Configuration dashboard for distributing shared configuration across members

• Alma Analytics for Network Zone Consortia

• How to Restrict Editing Bibliographic Fields by Network Zone Members

• How to Control Where to Save New Records Templates and Rules From a Member Institution of a Network Zone Consortia

• How to Combine Institution and Network Zone Search Results in the Member Institution

• How to Use Local Extensions for Member Institutions of a Network Zone consortia

• An overview of collaborative network configurations in Primo VE

Reparative Cataloging at the WRLC

The Library of Congress does not have any updates or changes for LCSH for June 2024, however, there are a few interesting subject headings proposed by SACO libraries for review by the Library of Congress.  There is a proposal to cancel Asperger’s syndrome because it is covered by the subject heading Autism spectrum disorders. There are also proposals to add the following subject headings:

• Gender-based violence in art

• Queer criticism

• Ultra-Orthodox Judaism

Recent network zone corrections in Alma include :

• Deaf changed to Deaf people (9,721 bib records)

• Hearing impaired changed to Hard of hearing people (2,857 bib records)

• Cerebral palsied changed to People with cerebral palsy (105 bib records)

Alma Sandbox Refresh

Twice per year, Ex Libris refreshes all Sandbox environments. A refresh means that all data and configurations are copied from the corresponding production environment to the sandbox; these replace any data and configurations already existing in the sandbox. 

Our second refresh of the year is scheduled for Sunday, August 11th, 2024.

WRLC will do its best to recreate all consortial user accounts created in the past six months (login information will be emailed to all applicable users), but if you find that you do not have access to the sandbox after Tuesday, August 13th, you can fill out the WRLC Sandbox Access Request Form to request a new sandbox user account.

APAC's Idea of the Month:
Do not create activation task if portfolios are activated on import and do move POL into waiting for invoice status

The Alma/Primo Advisory Committee's (APAC) Idea of the Month seeks a new setting for ordering and ebooks using the GOBI API.

Right now, ebook records added to Alma via a new order import profile offer a "Do not create electronic activation task" checkbox. This allows the entire activation and POL closure process to happen automatically because no e-activation task items are created.

Ebooks added via the GOBI API, on the other hand, do not have an equivalent setting. This means every one of them ends up on the e-activation task list, which prevents the automatic closure of the POL. E-activation task list entries cannot be marked 'Done' in batch, so we either have to manually mark each task list item as 'Done' (we currently have over 8000 items on this task list as a result), or we have to run a job to force the POLs to close.

Either method requires staff time and attention to what ought to be a hands-off workflow. This could easily be avoided if a "Do not create electronic activation task" setting was available for GOBI API ebook orders.

If you don't have an Idea Exchange account, just find the "New here? Create an account" link on the idea page. Then enter your email address to start the account creation process.

APAC welcomes nominations for future Ideas of the Month. Anyone can highlight an idea on the WRLC Idea Exchange Basecamp or you can submit ideas to your APAC representative.

• Head of Legal Technology Services - Jacob Burns Law Library

• Acquisitions Librarian - Jacob Burns Law Library

• Reference/Subject Specialty Law Librarians - 2 Positions - Jacob Burns Law Library

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June 04, 2024

In This Issue

• 2024 WRLC Annual Meeting Survey
• Eluna Annual Meeting in Review
• Alma Network Zone Consortia Webinar Series
• Community Highlights
• WRLC Job Listings

Latest News

The 2024 WRLC Annual meeting was a resounding success! Thank you to everyone that attended and helped make it happen.  Please take a moment to fill out the survey linked below (it is short!).  Your feedback is important in planning for next year.

Did you miss the ELUNA 2024 Annual Meeting in Minneapolis?  Although the full ELUNA Annual Meeting experience cannot be replicated online, the ELUNA team has arranged a series of summary webinars capturing recordings of key sessions.  Each 3-hour session is $25 dollars.  The recordings will be available for on-demand viewing.  Attendees of the ELUNA Annual Meeting in Minneapolis will receive complementary access to the online series.

Bridging the Gap:  Annual Meeting in Review – Session 1. 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm eastern, June 3, 2024.  Register!

• 1:00 pm – 1:35 pm – Welcome & ELUNA Organization Update (Abstract) – Allen Jones, The New School.

• 1:35 pm – 2:20 pm – From Restructuring to Customer Intimacy (Abstract)– Yariv Kursh, Ex Libris; Eyal Kirshner, Exlibris – Clarivate Library Software Group

• 2:20 pm – 2:25 pm – Break

• 2:25 pm – 3:10 pm – Strange New Data World (Abstract) – Jill Strykowski, Cataloging and Metadata Lead, San Jose State University

• 3:10 pm – 4:00 pm – Q&A with Ex Libris Management – Ex Libris Panel

  • Have a question for Ex Libris?  Submit the question by May 31, 2024 or join the live event to ask in real time!

Bridging the Gap:  Annual Meeting in Review – Session 2. 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm eastern, June 4, 2024. Register!

• 1:00 pm – 1:05 pm – Welcome

• 1:05 pm – 2:40 pm – Beyond Boundaries: AI-Driven Quality, Knowledge Partnerships, Excellence and Service Redefined (Abstract) – Jonathan Gear, Chief Executive Officer, Clarivate; Luda Soffer, Vice President Customer Experience, Ex Libris, Part Of Clarivate; Melissa Hilbert, VP Professional Services, Ex Libris, Part Of Clarivate; Osnat Vilenchik, VP Content Operations, Ex Libris, A Part Of Clarivate

• 2:40 pm – 2:45 pm – Break

• 2:45 pm – 3:05 pm – Creating the Discovery Walkway: The Next Discovery Experience (Abstract) – Yisrael Kuchar, Senior Director of Product Management , Ex Libris, Part of Clarivate

• 3:05 pm – 3:50 pm – Primo Product Conversation (Abstract) – Yisrael Kuchar, Senior Director of Product Management , Ex Libris, Part of Clarivate

• 3:50 pm – 4:00 pm – Q&A with speakers

Bridging the Gap:  Annual Meeting in Review – Session 3. 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm eastern, June 5, 2024. Register!

• 1:00 pm – 1:05 pm – Welcome

• 1:05 pm – 1:45 pm – Laying the Foundations: Alma, Rapido, and Rosetta As the Pillars of Library Technology (Abstract) – Asaf Kline, Vice President, Product Management, Ex Libris, Part Of Clarivate

• 1:45 pm – 2:30 pm – Alma Product Conversation (Abstract)- Dana Moshkovits, Senior Director Product Management, Ex Libris, Part Of Clarivate; Moshe Shechter, Senior Alma Product Manager, Ex Libris, Part of Clarivate; Lili Daie, Manager, Product Management, Ex Libris, Part of Clarivate; Jamie Kutzuba, Product Manager, Alma, Ex Libris, Part of Clarivate; Maud Arnaud, Alma Product Manager, Ex Libris, Part of Clarivate

• 2:30 pm – 2:35 pm – Break

• 2:35 pm – 3:15 pm – CDI (Central Discovery Index) Product Conversation – (Abstract) Amy Pemble, Director and Product Manager, Ex Libris, Part of Clarivate

• 3:15 pm – 3:40 pm – Building Bridges To Drive Student Success with Leganto and CampusM Library (Abstract) – Jessie Ransom, Leganto Product Manager, Ex Libris, Part Of Clarivate; Yaara Galili, Director of Product Management, Ex Libris, Part Of Clarivate; Eyal Kirshner, VP Student Engagement Solutions, Ex Libris, A Part Of Clarivate

• 3:40 pm – 4:00 pm – Q&A with speakers

Bridging the Gap:  Developers Day in Review – Session 4. 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm eastern, June 11, 2024. Register!

• 1:00 pm – 1:05 pm – Welcome

• 1:05 pm – 4:00 pm – Select sessions recorded at Developers Day+ will be presented.  Agenda will be updated after the live events in May.

Bridging the Gap:  Annual Meeting in Review – Session 5. 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm eastern, June 12, 2024.  Register!

• 1:00 pm – 1:05 pm – Welcome

• 1:05 pm – 1:35 pm – From Google to ChatGPT – libraries and the tale of two revolutions (Abstract) – Oren Beit-Arie, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Innovation, Strategy And Innovation, Clarivate Academia & Government

• 1:35 pm – 2:20 pm – Meet your Library Discovery Assistant (Abstract)- Christine Stohn, Senior Director, Product Management,  Ex Libris, Part of Clarivate

• 2:20 pm – 2:30 pm – Break

• 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm – ELUNA Closing Session (Abstract) –  Jason Griffith, Systems Librarian, University of Kentucky; Laura Morse, Director, Library Systems & Support, Harvard University; Ellen Jones, ELUNA Treasurer, University of Iowa; Allen Jones, Director, digital Library and Technical Services, The New School

Ex Libris is presenting a summer webinar series focused on network zone configurations for consortia. Sessions include:

• The Alma collaborative network and the shared catalog in a network zone consortia

• Automated Fulfillment Network in a Network Zone Consortia

• How to Manage Electronic Resources in a Network Zone Consortia Using Inventory Network Groups

• Using a Shared User file in a Network Zone Consortia

• Consortia Central Configuration dashboard for distributing shared configuration across members

• Alma Analytics for Network Zone Consortia

• How to Restrict Editing Bibliographic Fields by Network Zone Members

• How to Control Where to Save New Records Templates and Rules From a Member Institution of a Network Zone Consortia

• How to Combine Institution and Network Zone Search Results in the Member Institution

• How to Use Local Extensions for Member Institutions of a Network Zone consortia

• An overview of collaborative network configurations in Primo VE

Reparative Cataloging at the WRLC

The Library of Congress does not have any updates or changes to LCSH for May 2024. However, there are a few interesting subject headings in the tentative lists for June 2024 that were proposed by SACO libraries for review by the Library of Congress:

• Multiracial people - to replace Racially mixed people

• Pregnant men - new term used for Pregnant transgender men

• Miscegenation (Racism) - to replace Miscegenation

In other news, the Middle East and Islamic Studies (MEIS) Funnel has launched a webpage on the Middle East Librarians Association’s Committee on Cataloging website: https://mela.us/conc/meis-funnel/  As stated on the website, the Funnel “enables catalogers, subject librarians, and scholars to submit proposals for additions and changes to Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), Library of Congress Demographic Group Terms (LCDGT), Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms (LCGFT), and Library of Congress Classification (LCC) in the area of Middle East and Islamic Studies.” This website has a guide to help with the proposal creation process. Proposals may be submitted via email to the coordinators or using a Google form. They also accept requests for headings if you are unable to create a proposal.

As always, if you see headings or descriptions that you feel should be updated or changed, please submit the Reparative description heading reporting form created by the subgroup or join us at our next meeting on June 26, 2024.

- Asheleigh Folsom

Unit Head for Metadata Services, Georgetown University Library
On behalf of the Reparative Cataloging Subgroup

APAC's Idea of the Month:
Make location choice mandatory on the resource sharing form

Suggested by Jennifer Fritz at GW Law.

If a user has the option of choosing between multiple pickup locations in their resource sharing form, make this field mandatory and the location drop down menu read:

Choose one: (<--- default choice is no choice)
Location 1
Location 2
Location 3
Etc.

Right now, the default is based on a setting that could be, for example, the patron's home library. What I'm specifically requesting is that the default is "Choose one" and that the choosing be mandatory.

• Head of Legal Technology Services - Jacob Burns Law Library

• Reference/Subject Specialty Law Librarians - 2 Positions - Jacob Burns Law Library

• Acquisitions Librarian - Jacob Burns Law Library

• Resource Description and Processing Manager - American University

• Scholarly Communications and Metadata Librarian - Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library

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May 24, 2024

The 2024 WRLC Annual meeting was a resounding success! Thank you to everyone that attended and helped make it happen.  Please take a moment to fill out the survey linked below (it is short!).  Your feedback is important in planning for next year.

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May 20, 2024

The WRLC Annual Meeting will take place on May 21-23rd, 2024 via Zoom.

This three-day virtual event is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and celebrate our achievements, share our experiences, and plan for the future.

We have planned a packed agenda filled with engaging discussions and opportunities for networking. Whether you are a new member or a long-time supporter, you won't want to miss this chance to connect with your colleagues and peers.

This year’s keynote will be “Innovation and Impact: Imagining the Future of Academic Library Careers,” presented by Christine Quirion, COO of Skilltype and Erika R. Hosselkus, Ph.D., Associate University Librarian, Scholarly Resources and Services, University of Notre Dame.  See the featured article below for more information.

Agenda

Tuesday, May 21st

Keynote and Presentations

• May 21: 12:00 PM - Keynote

  Innovation and Impact: Imagining the Future of Academic Librarianship

• May 21: 1:00 PM - Full

  Creating POLs in Alma using a Google Form using Apps Script and the Alma API

• May 21: 2:00 PM - Lightning Round

  Intellectual Freedom Update 2024

• May 21: 2:10 PM - Lightning Round

  Engaging Knowledge: Research Visits at the Library of Congress

• May 21: 2:20 PM - Lightning Round

  Huddle Up – Gamifying Onboarding and Mentorship for New Librarians

• May 21: 2:30 PM - Lightning Round

  Breaking beyond the one-shot: Applying our research findings to strengthen UDC’s information literacy instruction

• May 21: 2:40 PM - Lightning Round

  Alma/Primo VE Equipment Booking: What We Have Learned So Far

Wednesday, May 22nd

Presentations

• May 22: 10:00 AM - Full

  Approaching the Generative Artificial Intelligence Challenge Head-On: Georgetown University Library’s Multifaceted Strategy for Offering AI Tools-Enriched Resources and Services

• May 22: 11:00 AM - Lightning Round

  Constructing New Report a Problem Buttons

• May 22: 11:10 AM - Lightning Round

  Embracing Personal Narratives in Academic Interviews

• May 22: 11:20 AM - Lightning Round

  Expanding Digitization Capacity at Georgetown

• May 22: 11:30 AM - Lightning Round

  Planning, Teaching, and Evaluating Data Services Workshops

• May 22: 1:00 PM - Full

  Embedded librarianship at UDC: what we have learned in our first year

• May 22: 2:00 PM - Full

  Deciphering the AI Research Platform Maze: A Comparative Analysis

Thursday, May 23rd

Presentations

• May 23: 10:00 AM - Full

  Autonomy and Time: Microgrants and Writing Leave

• May 23: 11:00 AM - Lightning Round

  Meeting our needs virtually: remote cataloging internship at the UDC Library

• May 23: 11:10 AM - Lightning Round

  WRLC Workflow Wiki

• May 23: 11:20 AM - Lightning Round

  1, 2, 3, Go!: Steps to Success in Onboarding New Student Library Employees

• May 23: 11:30 AM - Lightning Round

  How to Quickly Empower (and Impress) Your User Population: Creating a Customized Library Virtual Assistant Using the OpenAI’s GPT Builder

• May 23: 1:00 PM - Lightning Round

  Graphic novels as a tool for engaging conversations around global events.

• May 23: 1:10 PM - Lightning Round

  OER Advocacy in Action: Year Two of the Open@WRLC Faculty Course Transformation Pilot Program

• May 23: 1:20 PM - Lightning Round

  Spotted Lanternflies in the Satellite Libraries

• May 23: 1:30 PM - Lightning Round

  Outside of the Box Instruction

• May 23: 2:00 PM - Full

  Book displays, heritage months, and cross-campus partnerships: Coordinating a collaborative Book Display program across libraries and across campus

Be sure to visit the 2024 WRLC Annual Meeting webpage on the Intranet at https://www.libraries.wrlc.org/2024-wrlc-annual-meeting for the latest updates, presentation descriptions, and more!

Use the Registration link below to receive the Zoom link for all events.

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“Innovation and Impact: Imagining the Future of Academic Library Careers,”

presented by Christine Quirion, COO of Skilltype and Erika R. Hosselkus, Ph.D., Associate University Librarian, Scholarly Resources and Services, University of Notre Dame.

Today’s complex information environment invites a radical rethinking of academic library careers and competencies. What aspects of librarianship will be essential in an age of ubiquitous data, rapidly evolving faculty and student needs, and ongoing social, political, and technological change? While the term librarian has been tightly linked to collections and buildings in the past, librarians possess broad, deep, multifaceted expertise.  Information professionals are in a great position to collectively redefine their careers, curate their unique collection of skills, and demonstrate value to the knowledge enterprise. 

This presentation will highlight critical competencies for academic libraries from the Skilltype platform and the recent Librarian Futures III Report as well as strategies for librarians to adapt and thrive in their careers. Insights and examples will be shared from the University of Notre Dame that illustrate dynamic and diverse roles advancing digital scholarship, special collections and more in the Hesburgh Libraries.

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