Ex Libris™, part of Clarivate™, is excited to announce that all Alma™ customers can now access and test the AI Metadata Assistant to aid library catalogers in their work and save them time. Available through the Alma November feature release, a preview of the AI tool is integrated into the Alma Metadata Editor and generates metadata suggestions helping catalogers in creating and enhancing bibliographic records.
The AI Metadata Assistant uses a Large Language Model generative AI to process information about a library resource and suggest relevant metadata. This workflow combines AI capabilities with the librarian’s expertise to balance efficiency and accuracy. Currently in the first phase of development, the AI Metadata Assistant supports MARC 21 records in English, using Library of Congress authorities. Plans are to support more languages and vocabularies in future phases.
More than 300 libraries around the world have conducted over 2,000 tests of the AI Metadata Assistant, with 800 tests in the past two weeks. The preview, which can be activated at any time by Alma administrators, allows libraries to experience AI metadata enrichment and provide immediate feedback from within the tool. Prior to the November release and this current preview, a group of fourteen libraries worldwide were provided early access and conducted initial testing of the AI tool, giving helpful feedback and working in close collaboration with our product team.
“Our entire team is looking forward to having the entire Alma community test out and use the AI Metadata Assistant during this current preview,” said Dana Moshkovits, Sr. Director of Product Management at Ex Libris. “We’re grateful for the cooperative relationship we have with our users and know that they will find the AI Metadata Assistant to be another valuable solution to further simplify workflows and create more efficiencies for library staff.”
General availability for the first phase of the AI Metadata Assistant for the Alma Metadata Editor, introducing enhanced workflow and capabilities to those of the preview mode, is scheduled in the first half of 2025. Further details about development plans for AI metadata enrichment for Alma can be found in the Ex Libris Knowledge Center.
