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Alma and Primo VE Project Updates

Project Status Report to CARLI Board of Directors: 9/18/2020

CARLI Alma/Primo VE Project Status Report to CARLI Board of Directors, September 18, 2020

Project Status Report to CARLI Board of Directors: 6/12/2020

CARLI Alma/Primo VE Project Status Report to CARLI Board of Directors, June, 12, 2020

Project Status Report to CARLI Board of Directors: 3/6/2020

CARLI Alma/Primo VE Project Status Report to CARLI Board of Directors, March 6, 2020

 

Project Status Report to CARLI Board of Directors: 12/6/2019

Highlights: September 2019 (posted 10/10/2019)

  • CARLI Office:
    • Data Extracts:
    • Alma Configuration Forms:
      • Held open office hours calls on the Alma Configuration Forms in preparation for 9/18 library deadline.
      • Reviewed and submitted all 91 library Configuration Forms to Ex Libris by 10/1 Ex Libris deadline.
    • Test Phase Delivery Process planning:
      • Have posted the Alma Data Migration Review Procedures webpage, and held several office hours calls dedicated to data review.
        • Data review office hours recordings are listed under the "Data Review and Configuration Review" heading, then under "Additional resources that may be helpful in your review."
      • Drafting further documentation on the testing phases and roles in preparation for October test environment release.
    • In Person Alma Training:
      • CARLI Office staff are coordinating with I-Share member libraries and Ex Libris staff trainers to plan the first of several in-person Alma training events.
      • Description and registration for the first wave of training events were announced on October 9th.
  • All I-Share Libraries:
    • Thanks for all your hard work!
      Completed tasks during August and September:
  • Your library's current tasks:
    • Review the Alma Data Review Test Procedures and identify test case examples relevant to your libraries.
    • Decide which library staff should complete Ex Libris's Alma & Primo VE Administration Certification.
    • CARLI is hosting weekly Alma/Primo VE Migration Office Hours.
      • Staff at your library can plan to join the call as schedules permit; the sessions are recorded. Details for each call are listed on the CARLI event calendar.
      • Next three weeks:

Project Status Report to CARLI Board of Directors: 9/13/2019

Highlights: Week of 8/5/2019

  • CARLI Office:
    • Are reviewing the data libraries submitted for the test load tasks that were due 7/23, and will follow-up with any questions.
      • Will format the data for submission to Ex Libris.
    • Are drafting companion documentation for the upcoming Configuration documents for the migration test load.
  • All I-Share Libraries:
  • Your library's current tasks:

Highlights: Weeks of 7/15/2019, 7/22/2019, and 7/26/2019

Highlights: Weeks of 7/1/2019 and 7/8/2019

  • CARLI Office:
    • Answered questions about the I-Share libraries' current tasks.
    • Planned and co-presented the "I-Share Alma Primo VE Kickoff" webinar as part of the migration office hours on 7/11.
      • Slides are available from the Alma/Primo VE webpage, under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources", "CARLI Office Recorded Webinars" section. The recording will be posted soon.
    • Continued watching the Alma Implementation Training video series.
    • Continue working towards Alma Administration Certification.
    • Are planning for Network Zone configurations and Automated Fulfillment Network.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • The Vanguard Libraries continue to test their data migrations, integrations, fiscal period close, and other workflows.
      • In future weekly updates, the "Vanguard Libraries" section will be included if a specific completed task refers to the Vanguard libraries.
  • All I-Share Libraries:
    • Libraries have been working toward completion of their current tasks.
    • Alma/Primo VE contact submitted P2E worksheet to Box to meet the 7/9 due date.
    • Participated in the "I-Share Alma Primo VE Kickoff" webinar on 7/11.
      • Slides are available from the Alma/Primo VE webpage, under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources", "CARLI Office Recorded Webinars" section. The recording will be posted soon.
  • Your library's current tasks:
    • Due July 23, 2019: Libraries spreadsheet
      Your Alma/Primo VE contact will upload a copy of the library/libraries spreadsheet to Box.
    • Due July 23, 2019:  Locations spreadsheet
      Your Alma/Primo VE contact will upload a copy of the locations spreadsheet to Box to map all of your Voyager locations to Alma locations.
    • Due July 23, 2019: Migration Form
      Your Alma/Primo VE contact will fill out the online version of the Migration Form libraries and submit it to CARLI.
      • Because this form is lengthy, you can use the PDF version for downloading and printing to help collect your answers prior to filling out the form.
    • Due July 23, 2019: Link Resolver Migration
      If your library uses a link resolver, watch the "Link Resolver Data Migration: Preparing Your Data" webinar posted under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources" section on the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage.
      • If your library uses SFX, review the Alma and SFX: Getting ready for migration guide on the CARLI website, and review your active targets/collections.
      • If your library uses ProQuest 360, there are some reports you will need to run and some documentation you will need to review.
      • If your library uses EBSCO Full Text Finder and OCLC World Share license manager CARLI Staff have placed an Excel file called “XXX_LR_to_Alma_Activations.xlsx” in your CARLI Box.com folder.
        “XXX” stands for your libraries’ three letter I-Share code.
      • If your library does not currently use a link resolver, this task does not apply to you.
    • CARLI is hosting weekly Alma/Primo VE Migration Office Hours.

Highlights: Weeks of 6/17/2019 and 6/24/2019

  • CARLI Office:
    • Answer questions about the I-Share libraries' current tasks.
    • Continue watching the Alma Implementation Training video series.
    • Prepare testing plans for Network Zone configurations and Automated Fulfillment Network
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • The formal Vanguard phase of the project closed on June 27th.
    • The Vanguard Libraries will remain active in Basecamp and in their Alma/Primo VE Vanguard environments to continue to test their data migrations, integrations, fiscal period close, and other workflows.
    • Continue watching the Alma Implementation Training video series.
    • Continue working towards Alma Administration Certification.
  • All I-Share Libraries:
    • Libraries have been working toward completion of their current tasks.
  • Your library's current tasks:
    • Send any questions about any of the tasks to CARLI support.
    • Send any concerns about completing the tasks by their stated deadlines to CARLI support.
    • Due July 9, 2019: P2E
      Your Alma/Primo VE contact will upload a copy of the P2E worksheet to Box.
      • Review the Preparing your P2E File webpage.
        • Watch the "Introduction to the P2E Process" webinar posted under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources" section on the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage.
          • This webinar introduces the P2E process, explains how the electronic locations you have identified and future decisions you will make for your migration form determine how your P2E file processes, as well as introduces how to use the P2E report(s) placed in your Box folder to create your P2E file.
    • Due July 23, 2019: Libraries spreadsheet
      Your Alma/Primo VE contact will upload a copy of the library/libraries spreadsheet to Box.
    • Due July 23, 2019:  Locations spreadsheet
      Your Alma/Primo VE contact will upload a copy of the locations spreadsheet to Box to map all of your Voyager locations to Alma locations.
    • Due July 23, 2019: Migration Form
      Your Alma/Primo VE contact will fill out the online version of the Migration Form libraries and submit it to CARLI.
      • Because this form is lengthy, you can use the PDF version for downloading and printing to help collect your answers prior to filling out the form.
    • Due July 23, 2019: Link Resolver Migration
      If your library uses a link resolver, watch the "Link Resolver Data Migration: Preparing Your Data" webinar posted under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources" section on the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage.
      • If your library uses SFX, review the Alma and SFX: Getting ready for migration guide on the CARLI website, and review your active targets/collections.
      • If your library uses ProQuest 360, there are some reports you will need to run and some documentation you will need to review.
      • If your library uses EBSCO Full Text Finder and OCLC World Share license manager CARLI Staff have placed an Excel file called “XXX_LR_to_Alma_Activations.xlsx” in your CARLI Box.com folder.
        “XXX” stands for your libraries’ three letter I-Share code.
      • If your library does not currently use a link resolver, this task does not apply to you.
    • CARLI is hosting weekly Alma/Primo VE Migration Office Hours.

Project Status Report to CARLI Board of Directors: 6/14/2019

Highlights: Week of 6/10/2019

  • CARLI Office:
    • Posted and announced the "Link Resolver Data Migration: Preparing Your Data" webinar and the "Introduction to the P2E Process" webinars posted under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources" section on the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage.
      • Uploaded a copy of each library's P2E worksheet to Box.
      • Uploaded link resolver data migration file to Box for library's who indicated they use EBSCO or OCLC Link Resolvers.
    • Posted and announced the online version of the Migration form and PDF worksheet version.
      • As part of the migration process from Voyager to Alma, there are a number of questions that each library must answer so Ex Libris can properly process each institution's data. The Migration form gathers the answers to the first set of those questions.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • The Vanguard libraries are preparing to transition from the Vanguard phase to the Full Test phase, with the formal Vanguard phase ending on June 27th.
      • After June 27th, the Vanguards will continue to test the data in their Alma environments, work on testing third party product integrations, and test resource sharing workflows.
    • Began watching the Alma Implementation Training video series.
  • All I-Share Libraries:
  • Your library's current tasks:
    • Due July 9, 2019: P2E
      Your Alma/Primo VE contact will upload a copy of the P2E worksheet to Box.
      • This webinar introduces the P2E process, explains how the electronic locations you have identified and future decisions you will make for your migration form determine how your P2E file processes, as well as introduces how to use the P2E report(s) placed in your Box folder to create your P2E file.
      • Watch the "Introduction to the P2E Process" webinar posted under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources" section on the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage.
    • Due July 23, 2019:  Locations spreadsheet
      Your Alma/Primo VE contact will upload a copy of the locations spreadsheet to Box to map all of your Voyager locations to Alma locations.
    • Due July 23, 2019: Migration Form
      Your Alma/Primo VE contact will fill out the online version of the Migration Form libraries and submit it to CARLI.
      • Because this form is lengthy, you can use the PDF version for downloading and printing to help collect your answers prior to filling out the form.
    • Due July 23, 2019: Link Resolver Migration
      If your library uses a link resolver, watch the "Link Resolver Data Migration: Preparing Your Data" webinar posted under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources" section on the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage.
      • If your library uses SFX, review the Alma and SFX: Getting ready for migration guide on the CARLI website, and review your active targets/collections.
      • If your library uses ProQuest 360, there are some reports you will need to run and some documentation you will need to review.
      • If your library uses EBSCO Full Text Finder and OCLC World Share license manager CARLI Staff have placed an Excel file called “XXX_LR_to_Alma_Activations.xlsx” in your CARLI Box.com folder.
         “XXX” stands for your libraries’ three letter I-Share code.
      • If your library does not currently use a link resolver, this task does not apply to you.
  • CARLI is hosting weekly Alma/Primo VE Migration Office Hours.
    Staff at your library can plan to join the call as schedules permit; the sessions will be recorded. Details for each call are listed on the CARLI event calendar.

Highlights: Week of 6/3/2019

  • CARLI Office and Vanguard Libraries:
    • The CARLI Office staff and staff members from the Vanguard libraries attended a 3 day in-person workshop led by Ex Libris trainer Connie Braun.
      • This training will enhance the libraries' ability to continue their data review and make suggestions regarding the Configuration and Migration form data that all I-Share libraries will be completing for the test load.
  • All I-Share libraries:
  • Your library's current tasks:
    • Due July 23, 2019:  Your Alma/Primo VE contact will upload a copy of the locations spreadsheet to Box to map all of your Voyager locations to Alma locations. See the directions for this task, under the heading "July 23 Deadline Instructions".
    • Watch the "P2E" and "Link Resolver" webinars that will be posted during the week of June 10th under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources" section on the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage.
    • If your library uses SFX, review the Alma and SFX: Getting ready for migration guide on the CARLI website.
    • CARLI will host weekly Alma/Primo VE Migration Office Hours. Staff at your library can plan to join the call as schedules permit; the sessions will be recorded. Details for each call are listed on the CARLI event calendar.

Highlights: Week of 5/27/2019

  • CARLI Office Staff:
    • Were reviewing and testing the Network Zone records in both Alma and Primo VE.
    • Published a new webpage to assist CARLI's SFX libraries in preparing to migrate their SFX data to Alma. This webpage is linked from both the CARLI Alma FAQ and the main Alma/Primo VE webpage.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • Received their test Primo VE environments from Ex Libris this week.
    • Are are busy testing their data migration and settings. They will report any issues they find using the CARLI-documented workflow.
  • Your library can:
    • Work with your Alma/Primo VE contact to determine how you will map your library's Voyager locations into Alma locations. The final location spreadsheet is due back to CARLI on July 23.
    • Watch the "I-Share Alma and Primo VE Test Migration Project Launch Webinar" listed on the CARLI Alma & Primo VE website under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources" section.
    • Review the dates and deadlines we now have for the migration.
      • Prepare to watch upcoming webinars and review the associated documentation.

Highlights: Week of 5/20/2019

  • CARLI Office Staff:
    • Began reviewing the Vanguard libraries' Alma environments, and will pass appropriate questions and problem reports along to Ex Libris support.
    • Preparation for the full test phase is now underway for all I-Share libraries.  
    • Posted the "I-Share Alma and Primo VE Test Migration Project Launch Webinar" to the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources" section.
    • Created Box folders, and provided information to each Alma/Primo VE contact on how to connect to the “Box” file server. Box will be used for much of our distribution of worksheets to and from the I-Share libraries.
    • Placed an Excel file in each I-Share library’s Box folder listing all the current locations each I-Share library uses (or has previously used) in Voyager.
    • A second file named “Directions for Alma Test Load Location Spreadsheet” includes the directions for updating the Location_List file to meet two deadlines:
      • 1) June 4, 2019: Confirming which locations at your library hold electronic resources.
      • 2) July 23, 2019: Mapping Voyager locations to locations in Alma.
    • Are planning/drafting further webinars and training documentation for the full test phase and data migration.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • Received their test Alma environments from Ex Libris this week and are busy testing their data migration and settings. They will report any issues they find using the CARLI-documented workflow.
    • Are reviewing the Alma Administration Certification training upon their completion of the Fundamentals and Essentials training series.
  • Your library can:
    • Work with your Alma/Primo VE contact to confirm which locations at your library hold electronic resources.
    • Watch the "I-Share Alma and Primo VE Test Migration Project Launch Webinar" listed on the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage under the "Alma & Primo VE Resources" section.
      • Review the dates and deadlines we now have for the migration.
      • Prepare to watch upcoming webinars and review the associated documentation.
    • Review the updates to the Pre-Migration Database Maintenance page's prioritized data cleanup projects.

Highlights: Week of 5/13/2019

  • CARLI Office Staff:
    • Updated our Voyager Migration data examples worksheet for use with Alma data review. This document will be shared with the Vanguards, and then following their suggestions after piloting the worksheet, will be shared out with all I-Share libraries during the data review for the full test phase.
    • Drafted a workflow for Vanguard libraries to follow when reporting any data migration issues to CARLI and Ex Libris as part of their data review.
    • Discussed with Ex Libris the format and logistics for the upcoming Vanguard training workshop.
    • The Network Zone has been built for the Vanguard test phase using the records exported from the Voyager Union Catalog.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
  • Your library can:
    • Review the dates and deadlines we now have for the migration.
      • Prepare to watch upcoming webinars and review the associated documentation.
      • While it is helpful to be as well prepared as possible for your test migration, you will have the late fall and winter months to experiment with your test data, conduct training, and setup your integrations with other products and services that you will use with Alma and Primo VE (such as authentication, printing, integration with Student Information Systems, and more).
    • Review the updates to the Pre-Migration Database Maintenance page's prioritized data cleanup projects.

Highlights: Week of 5/6/2019

  • CARLI Office Staff:
    • Ex Libris set deadlines for the receipt of all data and data migration/configuration worksheets for all 91 I-Share libraries for the full test migration. 
      • Ex Libris expects to deliver all 91 test environments in mid-October 2019.
    • Based on these deadlines, CARLI Office staff are working on the presentations and documentation mentioned in the announcement sent to the I-Share Directors and Alma/Primo Contacts email list.
    • Are drafting guides to assist the I-Share libraries in the review of their test Alma data. These guides will supplement the Ex Libris data review guides.
      • Ex Libris expects to deliver the Vanguard test environments during the week of May 19th.
    • Continue reviewing the Alma Administration Certification training upon their completion of the Fundamentals and Essentials training series.
    • Have signed up for the Alma Implementation Training series to be held June-August during the Vanguard test environment review.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
  • Your library can:
    • Review the dates and deadlines we now have for the migration.
      • Prepare to watch upcoming webinars and review the associated documentation.
      • While it is helpful to be as well prepared as possible for your test migration, you will have the late fall and winter months to experiment with your test data, conduct training, and setup your integrations with other products and services that you will use with Alma and Primo VE (such as authentication, printing, integration with Student Information Systems, and more.)
    • Review the updates to the the Pre-Migration Database Maintenance page's prioritized data cleanup projects

Highlights: Week of 4/29/2019

  • CARLI Office Staff:
    • Several members of the CARLI Office staff attended the Ex Libris' 2019 ELUNA Conference. It was a busy week! We learned a lot, and are comparing our notes.
    • Selected consortial discovery content (e.g., articles and chapters) for inclusion in Primo VE via the Primo Central Index.
    • Have begun working on the Alma Administration Certification training process upon their completion of the Fundamentals and Essentials training series.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
  • Your library can:
    • Consult the Alma Resources Handout from Kris Hammerstrand's presentation at the "Change is Good: You Go First! Leading Others To and Through Change" forum, and continue your analysis of the documentation mentioned within.
    • Examine the Technical Requirements for Alma and Discovery Implementation materials and share them with your campus IT staff as needed.
      • Pay special attention to the sections on IP range access, Alma authentication, printers, and email.
    • Review the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage and Frequently Asked Questions.
    • Continue working on the Pre-Migration Database Maintenance page's prioritized data cleanup projects, starting with the "Critical" projects. All Critical projects must completed by the end of August 2019.
    • Look over the Patron Record Purge documentation, and contact CARLI support with any questions about the process and your library's data. Before migration, we strongly recommend purging expired patrons that have no current activity. Running multiple patron record purges would be ideal (as soon as possible to remove long-expired records, and again closer to migration to remove more-recently expired records).

Highlights: Week of 4/22/2019

  • CARLI Office Staff:
    • Ex Libris began exporting a copy of the Vanguard libraries' data from our Voyager servers in order to build the Vanguard libraries' individualized test environments.
      • If you're curious- it's a time consuming process:
        • NCC took a little under 2 hours to extract;
        • NBY took about 3 hours;
        • UIC took 13.
        • SIC and UIU will be extracted during off-peak-Voyager-usage hours to make sure the extract does not affect the response time of the Voyager clients.
      • These tests of the Vanguard libraries are helping to benchmark how long the Voyager data export process will take during the test and production loads.
    • Those of us who will be attending the Ex Libris' 2019 ELUNA Conference next week discussed which sessions we'll attend in order to maximize our overall learning opportunities.
    • Talked with Vanguard libraries on Friday about the Fulfillment-related Configuration Form setting choices being considered by the libraries. We submitted outstanding questions held by the group to Ex Libris.
    • CARLI staff will activate sample consortial electronic resources in the Network Zone Primo Central Index.
    • CARLI staff have begun working on the Alma Administration Certification training process upon their completion of the Fundamentals and Essentials training series.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • Have begun filling out their Alma Implementation Configuration forms using the Alma Implementation Configuration Form training materials and Alma Configuration Form guide to assist.
      • The Vanguard Libraries and CARLI Office staff held a conference call on Friday to discuss the Fulfillment-related Configuration Form setting choices the libraries are considering.
      • First draft is due to Ex Libris on May 8th, with the final on May 14th.
    • The Vanguard libraries are selecting staff member(s) who will be responsible for activating some sample institutional resources in their library's Primo Central Index.
    • Watched Fulfillment training videos and completed exercises using the Alma/Primo VE sandboxes for hands-on exercises.
  • Your library can:
    • Consult the Alma Resources Handout from Kris Hammerstrand's presentation at the "Change is Good: You Go First! Leading Others To and Through Change" forum, and continue your analysis of the documentation mentioned within.
    • Examine the Technical Requirements for Alma and Discovery Implementation materials and share them with your campus IT staff as needed.
      • Pay special attention to the sections on IP range access, Alma authentication, printers, and email.
    • Review the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage and Frequently Asked Questions.
    • Continue working on the Pre-Migration Database Maintenance page's prioritized data cleanup projects, starting with the "Critical" projects. All Critical projects must completed by the end of August 2019.
    • Look over the Patron Record Purge documentation, and contact CARLI support with any questions about the process and your library's data. Before migration, we strongly recommend purging expired patrons that have no current activity. Running multiple patron record purges would be ideal (as soon as possible to remove long-expired records, and again closer to migration to remove more-recently expired records).

Highlights: Week of 4/15/2019

  • CARLI Office Staff:
    • Reviewed and validated the Vanguard libraries' final Voyager Migration Forms and P2E data files; Ex Libris will use the information to build the Vanguard libraries' individualized test environments.
    • Provided Ex Libris with the SFX electronic resource management system data for the Vanguard Libraries.
    • CARLI Office staff and Vanguard libraries have shifted our attention to the Alma Configuration Form, which gathers information about circulation policies, locations, patron types, service desks, and more settings used in Alma system administration configurations.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • Vanguard Libraries that use electronic resource management systems other than SFX provided data and completed link resolver migration forms to Ex Libris.
    • Reviewed the Alma Implementation Configuration Form training materials, and are beginning to draft their responses using the Alma Configuration Form guide to assist.
      • First draft is due to Ex Libris on May 8th, with the final on May 14th.
    • Watched Resource Management training (second half) and completed exercises using the Alma/Primo VE sandboxes for hands-on exercises.
  • Your library can:
    • Review the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage and freshly updated Frequently Asked Questions.
    • Consult the Alma Resources Handout from Kris Hammerstrand's presentation at the "Change is Good: You Go First! Leading Others To and Through Change" forum, and continue your analysis of the documentation mentioned within.
    • Examine the Technical Requirements for Alma and Discovery Implementation materials and share them with your campus IT staff as needed.
      • Pay special attention to the sections on IP range access, Alma authentication, printers, and email.
    • Continue working on the Pre-Migration Database Maintenance page's prioritized data cleanup projects, starting with the "Critical" projects. All Critical projects must completed by the end of August 2019.
    • Look over the Patron Record Purge documentation, and contact CARLI support with any questions about the process and your library's data. Before migration, we strongly recommend purging expired patrons that have no current activity. Running multiple patron record purges would be ideal (as soon as possible to remove long-expired records, and again closer to migration to remove more-recently expired records).

Highlights: Week of 4/8/2019

  • CARLI Office Staff:
    • Reviewed and validated the Vanguard libraries' Voyager Migration Forms, then forwarded completed forms to Ex Libris for next steps. Final migration forms for the Vanguard data load are due Tuesday 4/16.
    • Held calls with the Vanguard libraries to discuss their e-resource cataloging practices and ran reports that looked for the libraries' e-resource bib records by location and other criteria. These report files will be used by Ex Libris in the Alma P2E (print to electronic) process. The P2E process will establish these records as e-resources in Alma so that they can be managed in ways more appropriate to e-resources than physical materials.
    • Discussed with Ex Libris the options for building the Network Zone's consortial catalog. CARLI and Ex Libris will begin tests using the record set available from CARLI's Universal Catalog (UC).
    • Investigated which record sets currently loaded in the CARLI ResDB (Resource Database) can be activated consortially from within the Alma Community Zone as opposed to loading them in the Network Zone. Those record sets include HathiTrust, JSTOR Open Access, Open Textbook Network's Open Textbook Library, CARLI's Ebook Central Perpetual and DDA titles.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • Completed their Voyager Migration drafts and Primo VE setup worksheets. Final Voyager Migration forms for the Vanguard data load are due Tuesday 4/16.
    • Met with CARLI staff to discuss their e-resource cataloging practices for Alma P2E (print to electronic) migration form preparation.
    • Watched Resource Management and Alma Collaborative Networks Fundamentals training and completed exercises using the Alma/Primo VE sandboxes for hands-on exercises.
  • Your library can:
    • Review the Patron Record Purge documentation, and contact CARLI support with any questions about the process and your library's data. Before migration, we strongly recommend purging expired patrons that have no current activity. Running multiple patron record purges would be ideal (as soon as possible to remove long-expired records, and again closer to migration to remove more-recently expired records).
    • Continue working on the Pre-Migration Database Maintenance page's prioritized data cleanup projects, starting with the "Critical" projects. All Critical projects must completed by the end of August 2019.
    • Review the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage and Frequently Asked Questions.

Highlights: Week of 4/1/2019

  • CARLI Office Staff:
    • Several members of the CARLI staff attended or presented at the "Change is Good: You Go First! Leading Others To and Through Change" forum on April 2nd.
      • The Alma Resources Handout from Kris Hammerstrand's presentation is available on the CARLI website; other handouts and presentation materials from the forum will soon be available.
    • Scheduled meetings with Vanguard libraries to discuss their e-resource cataloging practices to prepare a draft Alma P2E (print to electronic) migration form.
    • Emailed all I-Share libraries who use Coral to ask migration-related usage questions.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • Completed their Voyager Migration drafts and will validate them in the Sandbox before the due date of 4/9/2019.
    • Have begun filling out their Primo VE setup worksheets, draft due 4/11/2019.
    • Watched Acquisitions trainings and completed exercises using the Alma/Primo VE sandboxes for hands-on exercises.
  • Your library can:
    • Review the Alma Resources Handout from Kris Hammerstrand's presentation at the "Change is Good: You Go First! Leading Others To and Through Change" forum.
    • Review the Patron Record Purge documentation, and contact CARLI support with any questions about the process and your library's data. Before migration, we strongly recommend purging expired patrons that have no current activity. Running multiple patron record purges would be ideal (as soon as possible to remove long-expired records, and again closer to migration to remove more-recently expired records).
    • Continue working on the Pre-Migration Database Maintenance page's prioritized data cleanup projects, starting with the "Critical" projects. All Critical projects must completed by the end of August 2019.
    • Review the CARLI Alma & Primo VE webpage and Frequently Asked Questions.

Highlights: Week of 3/25/2019

  • CARLI Office Staff:
    • Finished the export of the Voyager Migration Forms for the Vanguard libraries, and have uploaded them to their CARLI FTP directories.
    • Are reviewing the Alma P2E (print to electronic) migration materials in advance of the Vanguard libraries beginning that process.
    • Enjoyed an informative visit to Northwestern University for a day of Alma Q & A. We extend our thanks for the invitation, hospitality, and the generosity of Northwestern Library Staff in sharing their knowledge and experience.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • In weekly meeting with Ex Libris and CARLI Office staff, Ex Libris discussed the basics of filling out the Voyager Migration Forms. The Vanguards began filling out their drafts, due 4/9/2019.
    • Will begin reviewing the Primo VE setup worksheets, draft due 4/11/2019.
    • Watched the User Management training using the Alma/Primo VE sandboxes for hands-on exercises.
  • Your library can:

Highlights: Week of 3/18/2019

  • CARLI Office staff:
    • Reviewed the Alma Collaborative Network training for consortia.
    • Are preparing to test the extraction of Vanguard library data from Voyager. 
    • Discussed date options with Ex Libris for the upcoming in-person Vanguard Library workshop. 
    • Ex Libris granted the CARLI staff and the Vanguard Library primary contacts access to the implementation project in Basecamp. Basecamp is a project management software program, which we will use to track deadlines, manage communication, and share documentation.
  • Vanguard Libraries
    • Vanguard primary contacts are becoming familiar with the Basecamp software's features, and are reviewing the uploaded documentation.
    • Watched the Navigation and Searching training using the Alma/Primo VE sandboxes for hands-on exercises.
  • Your library can:

Highlights: Week of 3/11/2019

  • CARLI Office staff:
    • Met with Ex Libris project managers and the Vanguard Libraries. Ex Libris provided some more detail on the timeframe for some major project milestones. A full timeline is still forthcoming.
    • Reflected on the Vanguard kick-off meeting so that we can appropriately scale and tailor the presented information for the future TBD kick-off for all 91 I-Share libraries.
    • Drafted Alma/Primo VE "sandbox best practices" for the Vanguard Libraries, so that they can begin do hands-on training exercises in the sandboxes next week. At this time the sandboxes contain generic, training data provided by Ex Libris, not real data from any of the Vanguard Libraries.
    • Updated the Frequently Asked Questions with more Q & A.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • Attended their "kick-off" meeting with the Ex Libris project management staff for a broader overview of how the Vanguard project fits into the overall migration timeline and workflows.
    • Filled out the Ex Libris "library landscape" survey.
  • Your library can:

Project Status Report to CARLI Board of Directors: 3/8/2019

Highlights: Week of 3/4/2019

  • CARLI Office staff:
    •  Met our Ex Libris project manager and discussing project communication plans.
    •  Are almost done watching the Alma Essentials training video series.
    •  Some of us have registered to attend Ex Libris' 2019 ELUNA Conference, with its Alma-heavy focus.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    •  Found a weekly meeting time with Ex Libris and CARLI staff.
    •  Are finalizing their project teams.
  • Your library can:

Highlights: Week of 2/25/2019

  • CARLI Office staff:
    • Continued to watch the Alma Essentials training video series.
    • Met with our Ex Libris Onboarding coordinator for the last time; next week we'll begin working with our migration project manager.
    • Updated a draft of Ex Libris's "library landscape" survey. The Vanguard libraries will pilot the survey so that we can make sure the wording is clear for our I-Share environment, then we'll send it to all of the I-Share libraries to fill out.
  • Vanguard Libraries:
    • Are assembling their in-house migration project teams.
    • Began to read/watch Ex Libris's online documentation about Alma and Primo VE.
  • Your library can:

Highlights: Week of 2/18/2019

As always, you can contact with any comments or questions.