Alma has been a cornerstone in the library community since its launch. As the first SaaS cloud-based library services platform, it was designed to address the evolving needs of libraries by providing a comprehensive, integrated solution. Alma has continuously adapted to surpass customer expectations, offering consistent upgrades to meet the evolving needs of its growing and diverse customer base.

In today’s library environment, with staffing challenges and a continued need for seamless services, the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) of library management solutions are crucial. Efficient and intuitive interfaces not only improve productivity for library staff but also ultimately enhance the overall experience for patrons.

At Ex Libris™, part of Clarivate™, we’re committed to working in close collaboration with our customers to continuously improve the UX and UI within the Alma library management system. Our consistent joint efforts with the Alma UX customer focus group have resulted in the following top three UI and UX enhancements since August 2023 with more planned in 2025.

Newest Developments

All Title Search
Another significant enhancement is the All Title Search interface. Made available to Alma customers through its November 2024 release, this interface has been upgraded with new UI concepts, resulting in faster, simpler searches and streamlined workflows – making it easier for staff to find and manage titles. The unified search experience across all title types (physical, electronic, and digital) ensures that users no longer need to remember where specific information or actions are located.

This enhancement significantly improves usability and performance by reducing the time spent on locating resources and allowing staff to focus on other critical tasks. This leads to a more efficient workflow and better service for patrons.

Manage Patron Services for the Circulation Desk
Managing patron services has been made more efficient with a new layout introduced in the second half of 2024, which will become the default in February 2025. This redesigned interface supports more streamlined workflows, reducing staff workload and the time it takes to service library patrons at the circulation desk which can lead to shorter wait times for users and increase their satisfaction. In turn, staff can manage their tasks more effectively and be happier in their service to those seeking assistance.

Acquisitions Purchase Order Lines
One key area of focus was the management of PO Lines (Purchase Order Lines). The new user experience for managing PO lines was launched in the past year and is now offering a more intuitive and efficient experience. Users can now access a wealth of information at a glance, make better-informed decisions, and locate PO lines with specific characteristics more easily.

This improvement streamlines workflows by reducing the time and effort required to manage purchase orders. Library staff can quickly find and process PO lines, leading to increased productivity and reduced frustration. The ability to make informed decisions more efficiently enhances overall job satisfaction and effectiveness.

Coming in 2025
 
Our efforts to improve the Alma UX and UI continue entering the new year and they couldn’t be accomplished without the participation of our customer community – now over 2,700 libraries worldwide. Partnering with them at different stages of each item’s development, ensures that the enhancements will make a significant impact on library operations and user experiences. Here are some of the key areas that are focal points in 2025.

• Repository Search: a new user interface for Physical Item searches  will allow staff to quickly find and act on relevant information better than they can today, adding what’s already been improved to date
• Community Zone Updates Task List: as an important tool for the management of a library’s electronic resources, future enhancements will reduce effort and simplify workflows

Alma features an 18-month community-driven roadmap designed to deliver robust features that streamline workflows, enhance user experiences, and support the diverse needs of academic, public, and special libraries worldwide.

Stay tuned for further updates on how each of these focus areas are helping improve library efficiency and service quality. Contact us to learn more about these enhancements and why Alma is the right choice to prepare your library for the future.