Alma in the Special Collections Environment

Abstract

Special Collections departments in University Libraries have challenges and needs that are unique from other areas of the library. Issues of collection security, accommodating researchers from around the globe, and collections with thousands of boxes are just a few that require unusual solutions or adaptations. But creating these solutions insures the discovery and integration of the gems of our institutional collections and resources that are so critical to supporting the university’s research, teaching, and learning goals. In order to bring the University of Oregon’s Special Collections and Archives into an integrated and automated system, we had to overcome specific challenges through technological development, new workflows, and creative workarounds always with special attention given to documentation and training.

In this session, we will review native Alma functions, including those designed as part of the Reading Room environment, and how they can be incorporated and modified for use within Special Collections and Archives. Some of the modifications we will cover include building the online user registration system with the user API functionality, reformatting the resource request slip letter for receipt printing, providing access without requesting to unprocessed or unarranged collections, creating new work orders, and other adaptations devised while using the Reading Room functionality within Alma.