Introduction

In the last months of SILS Phase 4 (late 2021), the Fulfillment Functional Group (FFG) noted widespread problems occurring in the Alma Automated Fulfillment Network (AFN). All campuses reported similar cases of AFN requests with mismatched titles and a higher number of requests failing automation when referred outside the University of California (UC) consortium. The FFG gathered reported cases and escalated through the SILS Service Manager (SILS SM). The FFG expressed the need for Ex Libris Support to analyze the various cases holistically and emphasized the need for an Alma resource sharing expert to assist UC in rectifying the situation.

In early January 2022, Ex Libris identified Alma resource sharing experts and reached out through the SILS SM to create a joint task force with the UCs in addressing these problems.

Charge

The Automated Fulfillment Network Task Force (AFN TF) is to 

• meet and communicate with Ex Libris’s resource sharing experts to represent UCs’ issues with the AFN, 

• gather information, suggestions, and recommendations from Ex Libris, 

• provide feedback to Ex Libris about the effectiveness of the mitigations on UCs’ issues with mismatched requests and problems with requests referred outside the UC consortium.

Reporting Line

The AFN TF reports to the Resource Sharing Operations Subteam.

Related Groups

The AFN TF should share brief monthly status updates with the UC participants in the UC/Ex Libris monthly support calls: SILS SM (Caitlin Nelson), SILS Operation Team Chair (Thomas Bustos), SILS Operations Team Vice Chair (Jackie Gosselar), and SILS NZ administrator (Gem Stone-Logan). 

Time commitment and expectations

That AFN TF will meet as needed, including the Ex Libris experts as needed. This is anticipated to be approximately monthly hour long meetings. The AFN TF will disband after the level of request mismatches and problems with requests referred outside of Alma fall to a manageable level or when Ex Libris’s experts have exhausted all solutions.

Roster and required expertise/membership

The AFN TF will consist of NZ administrator(s) and 2-3 campus representatives as chosen by the Resource Sharing Operations Subteam.

@Alison Ray (CDL), (CDL)

@Joseph Ferrie , as needed (CDL)

@Linda Michelle Weinberger, (UCI)

@Mallory DeBartolo (Unlicensed), (UCSC)

@Sandra Farfan-Gracia, (UCLA)