Deep Link Configuration

Introduction

A Deep Link connection shares a Search Profile of one Network Zone to another. This gives patrons a view of the other libraries holdings so they can request materials through Alma Peer-to-Peer Resource Sharing or a Hybrid Pod. Generally, libraries can only do a Deep Link connection with one other Network Zone, but it looks like Rapido libraries can share their information with multiple libraries, but can only take in information from one other NZ. Since Rapido libraries use the Global Title Index, they do not need these additional Search Profiles. This will be confirmed in testing in mid March.

The California State University libraries are willing to do a Deep Link with Alma libraries to make it easier to discover materials owned by the CSU. A Deep Link connection uses all the configurations of a Hybrid Pod as well as the configurations shown below. Much of these configurations were shared with us by the folks in the SUNY system or taken from the Ex Libris Knowledgebase. 


Rapido Configuration

Since the Rapido libraries do not need are only sharing holdings information, and not directly receiving it, only the Rapido library needs to configure Deep Search in a Remote Primo VE Institution, though they will need some information from the other library. Ideally, this would be done in the NZ and but they can be done at the IZ level. In the NZ, go to  Alma Configuration > Network Zone >Discovery > Other > Primo VE Deep Search Configuration and select +Add Row. A pop up will appear where you will enter the information of the library you want to share with. Add the following information:

  • Institution Code: The partner library's institution code can be found in the libraries Resource Sharing settings at Alma Configuration > (change the library you are configuring to your designated Resource Sharing Library > Fulfillment > Library Management > Library Details and scroll down to the Resource Sharing section where a symbol is listed. Example: Fullerton is 01CALS_CSUF
  • View: The view you want to share with the other library. For example, to share the CSU NZ we would put 01CALS_NETWORK:01CALS_NETWORK
  • Search Profile: select the Search Profile you want to share. Example, the CSU would share a profile called NewDiscovery.
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Example of CSU Deep Link settings from a test we did with libraries from the Orbis Cascade Alliance.

Alma Configuration

Hybrid Pod Configuration

The first step in configuring a Deep Link connection is to set up the Hybrid Pod. If you haven't already made those configurations, please do so now. 

Import Search Scope Index

Alma Configuration > Discovery > Search Configuration > Search Profiles

This and all following steps must be completed after the other library has shared their Deep Link Search Scope. Go to Alma Configuration > Discovery > Search Configuration > Search Profiles and go to the Other Indexes tab and select Add Other Index then Deep Search. Fill out the table using the information supplied by the library sharing their Search Scope Index

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An example of the Defined Primo VE Deep Search Scope

Create Search Profile

Alma Configuration > Discovery > Search Configuration > Search Profiles

Once the Search Scope is added you need to add it to a Search Profile. Go to the Search Profiles tab and click Add a Search Profile. Fill out the Details and then click Add Scope, select the Scope Type: Other Index and add the Scope Index you imported in the previous step to the Search Profile. Click Save

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An example of a filled in Search Profile with a Deep Link Search Scope Index.

Add Search Profile to Primo

Alma Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Configure Views

To add the Search Profile to Primo go to Alma Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Configure Views and go to edit your Default View. Then go to the Search Profile Slots tab and select Add a Slot. Select the Search Profile you previously created.

Success

If you go to your Primo view you should now have a new Search Profile option in the Search Profile Menu in your library search. Patrons can now use this view to search the holdings of another library consortia. 

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A Primo search with the CSU Network Zone Search Profile.