No code, no problem: Automate library workflows with ease
Ex Libris Higher Education Platform simplifies library system integration, helping institutions automate and scale with confidence. Library Open Workflows (LibOW) builds on this by creating a shared space for libraries to collaborate, reuse and innovate together.
Automate library workflows with Library Open Workflows
Automation with Low-Code Tools: Build Powerful Workflows in Minutes
Library Open Workflows is a no-code/low-code tool that lets Alma’s library management system users automate tasks and build custom integrations using a simple drag-and-drop interface. As a subscription-based solution, it makes it easy to connect APIs, webhooks, Cloud apps, forms, external systems and even AI models, without needing advanced coding skills or development tools. With LibOW, you can create automated workflows in minutes, streamlining operations and saving valuable time.
Library Open Workflows Solution is a no-code/low-code tool that lets Alma’s, library management system, users automate tasks and build custom integrations using a simple drag-and-drop interface. As a subscription-based solution, it makes it easy to connect APIs, webhooks, Cloud apps, forms, external systems and even AI models—without needing advanced coding skills or development tools. With LibOW, you can create automated workflows in minutes, streamlining operations and saving valuable time.
Read LessConnect Systems Seamlessly with a Unified Integration Layer
Library Open Workflows serves as a modern integration layer, connecting Alma’s built-in tools—like APIs, webhooks, and Cloud Apps—with external systems. As a library collaboration system, It streamlines processes across departments, ensuring consistency and control. Fully embedded in the Ex Libris platform, it offers an intuitive interface for staff at all levels to build and manage complex integrations, replace legacy systems and reduce the time and effort needed for ongoing maintenance.
library open workflow solution
Read LessGive Every Team Member the Power to Innovate
Whether you're streamlining acquisitions, automating notifications or integrating systems, Library Open Workflows (LibOW) gives your team powerful tools to get it done, no coding required. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and reusable workflow modules make it easy to build automations quickly. As your library’s needs evolve, LibOW adapts with flexible, future-ready capabilities. Reduce reliance on IT and empower staff to innovate independently using built-in integrations and seamless connection to the Library Open Platform.
Automate with Confidence in a Secure, Compliant Environment
Library Open Workflows (LibOW) is embedded within the Ex Libris platform and hosted in the same secure cloud environment as all other Ex Libris solutions. It benefits from the platform’s enterprise-grade security, giving your team peace of mind as you scale automation. This library collaboration system has built-in safeguards to ensure that workflows run reliably and securely, while the intuitive interface allows staff to create and manage integrations without compromising data protection. With LibOW, libraries can confidently innovate while maintaining the high standards of security and compliance.
Share, Reuse, and Evolve Workflows Across Your Community
Library Open Workflows (LibOW) makes it easy to share workflows within your institution or contribute them to the Alma community. Always stripped of private data, credentials and sensitive information it serves the broader community with ease. It supports export/import functionality and enables collaboration across consortia, helping libraries build on each other’s work. Designed in partnership with a global network of Alma institutions, LibOW encourages innovation through features like experimental workflow categories and peer-reviewed best practices. Whether you're working independently or as part of a network, LibOW empowers your team to collaborate, reuse, and evolve workflows with confidence.
Automate library workflows with Library Open Workflows
Automation with Low-Code Tools: Build Powerful Workflows in Minutes
Connect Systems Seamlessly with a Unified Integration Layer
Give Every Team Member the Power to Innovate
Automate with Confidence in a Secure, Compliant Environment
Share, Reuse, and Evolve Workflows Across Your Community
Los Rios Libraries - Empowering Automation and Efficiency with Alma’s Library Open Workflows
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Angela Laurins
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Bonnie Hauser
“I’d love to say choosing Rialto was the result of a big event, but really it was a process.”
John Lassiter
“The process for us was exceptionally easy, because the Rialto team did all the configurations for us”
Neil O’brien
“We are very focused on usability, flexibility, and equity of access—and that also contributes to one of the reasons we selected Rialto”
Richard Levy
“UCLAN already implemented Ex Libris Alma and Leganto, so Rialto was the obvious next step”
Juliet Ibbotson
“By staying true to these values, we created a search and discovery experience that balances usability, flexibility, and innovation.”
Early adopter
“When I learned that there was an API available for our university's library, I thought, ‘Fantastic! This gives my research team the ability to create experimental search interfaces using real data.”
Dr. Orland Hoeber
"the implementation discussions with the Ex Libris team, we engaged in direct conversations about how to adapt existing tasks to the new system and streamline our workflows"
Library Staff
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Stacey Brown
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Kevin Braim
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Jaroslav Sivák
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Rebecca Higgins
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Roshan Thapa
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Eduardo Prieto
"The last Alma release is very exciting. It's a major milestone for Ex Libris in the Linked Data development."
Xiaoli Li
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Jamen McGranahan
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Jane Davis
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Philippe Federici
“[Rapido] makes the process as seamless as accessing items in the library’s own collection.”
Jennifer Young
"In the last three years, we’ve seen growth of 40% of faculty members using Leganto."
The Library Team
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Gijs Noels
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François Renaville
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Alison Harvey
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Knut Bøckman
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Peggy Glatthaar
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Allen Jones
"The adoption of Ex Libris Leganto... has led to significant improvements in workflows and streamlined access to the university library resources."
Silvia Trevenzoli
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Gary Brewerton
"Creating a seamless experience where we take analytics and the actions in Alma and turn them into one."
Raphael Gabbay
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Molly Beisler
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Jennifer Matthews
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Jane Davis
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Rachel Watters
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Swetta Abeyta
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Charlie Remy
"[Leganto] puts us in a position to be at the very forefront of course creation"
Erin Beach
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Christopher Lee
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Christina Hennessey
“…It was refreshing that the project was as quick as it was and that we were able to go live as fast as we did”
Shelly Hypes
"Rapido brings resource sharing to student searches, and they don’t have to do anything else"
Matt Cox
“Because we pay a set fee annually for RapidILL, we now have no limits on the number of articles and chapters our users can request.”
Will Grady, Collection Services Librarian
“We've seen higher engagement in submissions, and can see the better user experience in those figures.”
Dr Rachel Schulkins
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Kip Darling, Library Supervisor
"campusM has been flexible in being able to meet the needs of our students."
Bill Young ,Vice President of Digital Transformation and CIO
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Angela Walker
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Director of Library Enterprise Systems
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David Goddard, Head of Digital Experience
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Chris Beevers
“Our continuously expanding knowledge of the new system allows us to improve our workflows, everyday IT skills, and user experience."
Sara Melchior, Art Library Manager
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Angela Laurins, Library Learning Services Manager
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Rachel Watters, Director of Resource Sharing
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Julie Kane
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Guido Badalamenti
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Wolfgang Hamedinger
Ex Libris is privileged to be part of the DP community and is proud to share a case study of a unique institution, TIB - Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology.
Micky Lindlar
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Pascal Calarco
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Find out how campusM is helping students at TCTC get to the right information at the right time to take the right action.
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Ming-Jiu Hwang
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Thomas Marty
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Catherine Stephen
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Mark Paris
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David Gilani
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Bas Vat
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Eric Lams
"What I really enjoy is the worldwide community. It makes you aware that even as a small library you are not alone.“
Christian Kieslinger
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Falk Hartwig
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Bettina Kaldenberg
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Judith Drescher
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Rabindra Das
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Dalia Mendelsson
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Jacinda Boivin
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Sarah Falls
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Jane Saunders
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Julie Kane
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Lynne Billington
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Laura Pilsel
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“Library Open Workflows empowers all library staff— regardless whether they are acquisition team members, catalogers, fulfillment operators, or systems librarians — to build powerful automations and solve problems faster than ever before.” - Dr Mathias Kratzer, CIO and CISO, Bavarian State Library
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Library Open Workflows (LibOW) is a no-code/low-code solution embedded in Alma that allows libraries to build, automate, and streamline workflows. It’s designed to reduce technical barriers and enable staff to create custom automations without coding, using visual tools like drag-and-drop builders.
LibOW can automate a wide range of processes, including acquisitions, notifications, form submissions, third-party system integration, and data transfers (e.g., via FTP). It supports backend scheduling, API calls, webhook triggering and more.
Library staff assigned the LibOW role can access, create, and manage workflows. Other staff can still trigger workflows through forms using the dedicated Cloud App, even without the LibOW user role. While having some technical familiarity is useful, you do not need to be a developer. LibOW’s drag-and-drop, low-code interface makes it possible for library staff of varying skill levels to build and manage workflows without programming expertise.
All Alma and Primo APIs are supported. LibOW users also get double the standard API call daily threshold to accommodate automation needs.
Yes. LibOW integrates with Microsoft Office 365 (including Teams), GitLab, GitHub, and OpenAI (with separate subscription and secure configuration).
Yes. Alma webhooks can be configured to trigger workflows in LibOW, allowing seamless interaction with third-party systems.
Yes. Many libraries use LibOW to modernize integrations and eliminate outdated systems by streamlining complex workflows through Alma.
Yes. Workflows can be created at the user level (private) or the institution level (shared by admins). Credentials and sensitive data are always excluded from shared workflows. In addition, LibOW supports sharing workflows with the broader Alma community, enabling libraries to exchange best practices and reusable designs without exposing private information.
Yes. LibOW supports exporting and importing workflows in a standard .json file format (via the Download option). This makes it easy to share workflows between institutions and with the wider Alma community, while ensuring portability and consistency.
Yes. A consortial central office with a LibOW subscription can build and deploy workflows across member libraries.
You can access full documentation on the: Library Open Workflows – Ex Libris Developer Network. In addition, there are out-of-the-box workflows and demo videos, including examples using FTP and OpenAI: Library Open Workflows – subscription solution
Users can submit enhancement requests through the Ex Libris Idea Exchange. For questions, sharing ideas, or discussing tips and best practices, the LibOW Forum on the Developer Network connects staff with both the Ex Libris team and the wider community.