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(thumbs up) We are in Alma and Primo (Test Environments)!

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📋 Testing Continues…

As we head into March, the project remains on track and we have successfully passed a major milestone! The colleges have received their Alma and Primo test environments as Ex Libris completed the test data migration in mid-January. The colleges are currently reviewing their data and developing use case scenarios. Error and issues are being tracked and will be addressed for cutover. In addition, we are finalizing registration for . Our phase 2 testing has wrapped up and as expected, the college libraries have identified various issues. They are working with Ex Libris and OCLS and the support of the Project Management Office to resolve issues in real time or for cutover as appropriate.

This week, the virtual Ex Libris Alma Workshop (Feb. 28-Mar. 4) with is running with 16 demonstration-led sessions on technical services, fulfillment (circulation), and patron services. We also provided an CLSP update to CLO at their Feb.1, 2022 meeting.Our first few sessions were well attended with numerous questions as the staff consider how to tailor workflows for their libraries.

✅ Project Update

  • Talk about TCPR Branding and Training - via Jane

The project has officially moved into the Build phase. The major focus of this phase is data review and testing Phase 2 testing involved a deep dive into the libraries' data, running searches and reviewing records. Resolving issues identified during this phase will continue over the next few months. We are taking a phased approach to data review and testing to ensure all colleges stay on schedule. The colleges will also test their configuration settings to optimize their environments for cutover. In addition, college libraries will begin to complete the Go Live Readiness Checklist provided by Ex Libris

OCLS is working on data clean up project requested by the colleges and testing and activating resources in the Network Zone.

CLSP Branding Project

The CLSP Branding project is moving full-steam ahead! The Training, Communication & PR Subcommittee with the support of OCLS, has engaged a marketing firm to assist with naming and branding the CLSP. The goal is to develop a recognizable brand identity for the CLSP that reflects the collaborative spirit, as well as the platform benefits.

New Milestones Completed

  • Completing Alma Workshop?

  • Completing Data Review?

  • Testing?

  • Preparing Data Clean Up?

Future Milestones

?

is supporting Aubs & Mugg, our marketing firm, as they conduct research with internal and external stakeholders and develop the CLSP brand principles. We’re excited to share that Aubs & Muggs will present some name ideas that will be shared with the CLSP group in March.

New Milestones Completed

  • Completed Phase 1 and 2 testing

  • Data clean up projects identified (and in progress)

Future Milestones

  • Completing Alma Workshop

  • Completing Go Live Readiness Checklist

  • Completing SIS and SSO integrations

🔡 CLSP Implementation Basics

For those of you that aren’t familiar with all things CLSP, Alma & Primo, here are some basics!

Project Overview

  • Project Status: On track

  • Build Phase

  • Go Live Date: July 26, 2022

See Project Overview for more information.

Important Acronyms/Ex Libris Terms

Locations: In Alma, fulfillment (circulation) policy is driven by physical locations because items are often grouped and shelved physically together in locations which circulate similarly (e.g. open stacks for regular circulation).

🛠 Useful Resources

You may have heard of the https://clo-collaboration-spaces.atlassian.net/l/c/RBknNGwP space on Confluence, a collaboration wiki tool. It contains many project resources, but we are highlighting the Project Overview page.

It contains an high-level introduction to the project, FAQ, detailed project plan and supporting documents.

You can also get a snapshot of key details and see where we are on our project phase timeline
  • In our Project Update section, we mentioned colleges will be required to complete the Go Live Readiness Checklist. This checklist is an important tool that verifies essential day-to-day library activities are functioning properly for Alma and Primo VE Go Live. The checklist is intended as inventory of preparedness for Go Live, and will be used to identify any outstanding issues.

  • The CLSP Training, Communications, and PR Subcommittee is preparing learning material that libraries can use for all library staff and users for Alma and Primo. More information will be coming soon. The virtual Ex Libris Alma Workshop running this week is intended for library staff involved in the implementation. Each library will be responsible for training the rest of their library staff, key employees, and users.

(plus) OCLS Service Update

In a recent presentation at the CLO February 1, 2022 meeting, OCLS provided some high-level guidance as to how their service offerings may be impacted by the CLSP Implementation. New potential services include consortial authority file maintenance and electronic resource activation and management activities in the Alma Network Zone. In terms of Remote Access, most of the services will remain unchanged, but for security and privacy reasons OCLS will be phasing out patron data processing activities over the coming year. In addition to helpdesk and contract management, new services in support of the Alma Consortium will likely include sandbox administration, central analytics support and coordination and distribution of shared configurations and templates. More information is available in the CLSP Related Services & Transitions presentation.

🎉 Fun Stuff

Since the Alma test environments were released, the CLSP project has generated over 80 message threads as colleges verify their data, ask questions about testing, follow up on potential issues and share information. Thank you to the colleges, OCLS and Ex Libris for all your hard work. We know you will leave no stone unturned in making your environments the best they can be!Given the continued learning as the implementation progresses, OCLS is taking steps to develop draft service proposals for their impacted services. These draft service proposals will outline the new/changed OCLS services, associated activities and proposed funding category (supported by central funding or part of a cost-recovery Alma consortium) based on the current information available. This format will allow OCLS a measure of flexibility as services may need to be adjusted as we all gain greater understanding about workloads, volumes of activities and available capacity.

Draft service proposals will be brought forward to the appropriate subcommittees for discussion and feedback and then shared with the Implementation Steering Committee. When finalized, they will be communicated to the consortium libraries. The goal is to make initial decisions and provide some clear direction about OCLS’s services and level of support that can inform individual library and consortium decisions.

🎉 Fun Stuff

We had over 100 attendees at our first Alma Workshop session! Definitely some benefits to going online (smile)