Alma Database Type & EBSCO Packages

Last edit August 12, 2024

Introduction

This page is about the EBSCO packages provided by CARLI and provided by the Illinois Secretary of State/Illinois State Library and is for anyone who manages electronic resources in Alma.

Review of Alma Electronic Collections

In Alma, there are three types of electronic collections:

1. Aggregator Package
2. Selective Package
3. Database

The electronic collection type is listed below the name of an electronic collection, no matter what zone you are in (IZ, NZ, or CZ) when viewing the electronic collection. The image below shows where this type is indicated in Alma search results.

The first two types of electronic collections (Aggregator Package and Selective Package) contain portfolios, the third type (Database) does not. The Database type is a zero portfolio collection that only has one editor level - the Electronic Collection Editor, while the Aggregator Package and Selective Package types have three levels - 

1. Electronic Collection Editor - where public display name, level URL, and CDI settings are stored.
2. Electronic Service Editor - where linking and proxy information are stored.
3. Electronic Portfolio Editor - where URL type and dates of coverage are stored.

EBSCO packages that are database type in alma

Currently, there are eight CARLI provided electronic collections and ten Illinois Secretary of State/Illinois State Library provided electronic collections that are the database type in Alma and are not active/have been deleted due to limitations with managing database type collections from the NZ. Limitations: There is no portfolio list (zero portfolios) and no option to “Edit service.” Therefore, CARLI is unable to add in linking parser parameters like the EBSCO customer ID that is required for linking. The Level URL is the only place that can control the linking and they use the library’s EBSCO customer ID, which is why this is not feasible from the NZ. Here are the lists of each collection which includes their Alma Community Zone Electronic Collection IDs:

options for your library in your alma iz

Here are options for your library to consider how to proceed with these EBSCO collections:

1. Do nothing. Many of the I-Share libraries provide access to these database type collections from their library homepages via an A-Z database list. 
2. Activate these collections in your Alma IZ. Workaround provided below.

ACTIVATING an alma database type collection in your iz

1. In Alma, using the persistent search bar, select the following: Electronic Collection > Electronic Collection ID > (input Alma CZ E-Collection ID from table above) > CZ search scope. 

2. Then, click on "Activate" to the right of the collection name. 

3. In the first screen of the Activation Wizard, uncheck the box next to "Mark Bib as suppressed." This collection has no electronic inventory, therefore the collection bib needs to be visible. (From Ex Libris documentation - "These collections are activated for patron discovery automatically once they have a defined URL and an associated unsuppressed bibliographic record.") In this screen, you can also change the Public Display Name in the field for Public name (override). You will also want to add your Level URL (override). The Level URLs can be built using EBSCO's Direct URL Builder. Some of these databases have their own EBSCO profile. When using the EBSCO Direct URL Builder, use the "Interface" drop-down menu to select those profiles. If you encounter an issue with a URL you have built, you can contact EBSCO and/or email CARLI support.

4. In the last screen of the Activation Wizard, click "Activate."

5. When the database is activated, you will receive an email confirmation and an Alma notification will appear to the right of the screen indicating that it is complete.

If you encounter issues or errors with activating an Alma database type collection, please open a CARLI Support ticket.