New Milestones in January
Throughout January, the Ex Libris Implementation Team focused on preparing for Symphony to Alma test load. Thanks to the hard work of Chris Sterback, Gracemary Smulewitz, and other team members, we successfully turned in the migration forms, the P2E (Physical to Electronic) files, and the Symphony data files to Ex Libris on time. The work has been very time-consuming and painstakingly detailed, but our team understands that it laid the foundation for the next steps of migration – test load configuration, integration
with third party systems, cutover load, and go live. We continued to receive valuable feedback and support from Access, CTS, CSRS, and IIS staff.
The Implementation Team spent a lot of time in January going through an extensive training program using pre-recorded videos in the Alma Essentials (New UI) series.
Internal Training Becomes A Priority
The Implementation Team also spent a lot of time in January on learning the functionalities of Alma. Guided by Ex Libris staffers, the team is going through an extensive training program using pre-recorded videos in the Alma Essentials (New UI) series. The Primo training series is forthcoming. Every week all the team members are required to watch videos on a certain topic, such as acquisitions, and then meet with the Ex Libris consultants for one hour via WebEx to perform sample tasks and discuss issues. The training program for the team will continue from January to March.
Internal training is also a priority for all the affiliated working groups. With input from the lead members on the Implementation Team, each group is responsible for identifying relevant training materials and choosing the most appropriate format for internal training – self-study, group sessions, or a combination of both.
Preliminary Timeline for All Staff Trainings
The working groups are expected to design and deliver trainings specific to their roles for all the library faculty and staff. For instance, the Discovery Working Group will develop trainings on Primo discovery environment for all the public services librarians and staff. The all staff trainings will be conducted in person by library staff with Rutgers data and configurations, so the opportune time for these trainings will be after the Alma/Primo test environment has been set up with our own data and configurations, but before our June 1 go live date. This means an April to May timeline is most likely. As we get closer to April, the Implementation Team and working groups will provide more information on all staff training opportunities.
Information You Can Use – Primo and Alma Fulfillment Videos
We asked Joseph Deodato and Chris Sterback, the team liaisons to Discovery and Access groups, to recommend some introductory materials on Primo discovery environment and Alma circulation function. Joseph recommended two Primo videos for public services librarians: Using Primo and How Primo Works. Chris suggested that all Access Services staff watch these two user management and five fulfillment videos.
Got Questions?
Please feel free to contact us or reach out to the other members of the Implementation Team. The library also has a website for Alma/Primo implementation, on which you can get more information about the project or ask questions via the “Contact” form. Thank you for your interest!
Tao Yang and Abbey DiPaolo
