Switch over

When do we start using Alma offline to record issues and returns?

• A) Thursday 11 April at 6pm

• B) Friday 12 April at 6pm

• C) Friday 12 April at 8am

• D) Saturday 13 April at 8am

During the switch period can we record issues and returns on the same computer?

• A) Yes. Alma offline will be on 2 computers and both can be used for issues and returns

• B) Yes. Alma offline has a ‘toggle button’ that allows us to use the same computer for both functions when the lending desk is busy

• C) Yes. We just need to be very careful how we do it

• D) No. Issues and returns must be logged on different (dedicated) computers

A customer has a fine for a returned book in Aleph. This fine is owing when we start the switch. What is the status of the fine in Alma?

• A) The fine doesn’t migrate into Alma – no fine

• B) The fine migrates into Alma and we can see the reason for the fine

• C) The fine migrates into Alma but we can’t see the reason for the fine

• D) We are waiving all fines, so no fine will show in Alma

A customer has a fine that is accruing for a book that is still on loan and hasn’t been returned. What status will this accruing fine have in Alma?

• A) The fine will migrate into Alma and will continue to accrue

• B) The fine will migrate but will be fixed to the amount it was when we started the switch period

• C) The fine will not exist under the new lending policies so will not migrate into Alma

• D) The fine will not exist because we are waiving all fines for customers

Are we honouring reservations that are active and on the hold-shelf awaiting collection as we start the switch?

• A) Yes. We are honouring active reservations that have reached the hold shelf

• B) Yes. We are honouring all reservations whether they have reached the hold shelf or not

• C) No. We are not honouring any reservations

• D) No. Reservations do not exist in Alma

A customer wants to access their borrowing history after we start to use Alma on 15 April. How do they get this?

• A) They get this through the link on NUsearch

• B) They can no longer get this. It is lost during the switch and cannot be retrieved

• C) They ask library staff and we can get this for them from Aleph for 3 months

• D) They ask library staff and we can get this for them from Aleph forever

Can we update community borrower records during the switch?

• A) Yes. We can update the borrower’s record in Aleph and this will appear in Alma

• B) Yes. We can take their details on a registration form and enter this into Alma after we go-live

• C) No. They will need to come back into the branch after we start to use Alma and give us their details then

• D) No. They should update their own record after we go-live with Alma

A customer sees a book that has been returned during the switch period and wants to borrow it. Can we re-issue it?

• A) Yes. We can re-issue it and log this on pen/paper

• B) Yes. We can re-issue it and log this on Alma offline

• C) No. We can’t re-issue it

• D) Yes. We can re-issue it and no record needs to be made

Will inter-library loans be affected during the switch period?

• A) No. They will remain working throughout the switch period.

• B) Yes. They will be disabled from 12 April and will be back up and running when we go-live

• C) Yes. Inter-library loans will not exist under the new loan policy and will be phased out

• B) Yes. We stopped taking inter-library loans on 1 April

A customer comes into GGL on Saturday 13 April and wants to return a book they borrowed from Hallward. Can they?

• A) Yes. But they need to tell us and we must make a note on Alma offline

• B) No. Customers must return returns to the same branch they borrowed it from

• C) No. Customers cannot return books during the switch as Aleph will not be working and we can’t process them

• D) Yes. But and they do not need to tell us as we do not need to know this information