Connecting ILLiad and Alma Using Z39.50
These instructions explain how some ILLiad users have been successful in setting up a Z39.50 connection with Alma through the ILLiad Customization Manager, allowing you to easily search your library's holdings within the ILLiad client interface.
The Z39.50 server settings for Alma do not come standard in the default installation of ILLiad and may not work for all Alma users.
After configuring your new Z39.50 Server, you will also need to setup a search for that specific server so that you can select it from within the ILLiad client. Please follow the instructions for creating a new search so that it appears as an option in the client.
Setting up the Z39.50 connection
- Login to your ILLiad Customization Manager.
- Click the Z39.50 ribbon located near the top of the Customization Manager window.
- From the Z39.50 ribbon click on the New button and select Other from the drop-down menu that appears. A form will appear in the content frame of the Customization Manager.
- The Connection section of the form consists of values specific to your library's Alma database installation, including server address, port, database name, username, and password. If you do not know these values, you should contact your Alma system administrator. You can name the connection whatever you like.
- The Searching section of the form should contain the following values. Remember to input these values directly into the form, do not copy and paste. ILLiad recognizes variations in the font that can affect the performance of your Z39.50 connection.
| Search Type | Query Format |
|---|---|
| System Number Search | @attr 1=1016 "<#SystemNumber>" |
| Title Search | @attr 1=4 "<#Title>" |
| Author Search | @attr 1=1 "<#Author>" |
| ISBN Search | @attr 1=7 "<#ISBN>" |
| ISSN Search | @attr 1=8 "<#ISSN>" |
| Date Search | |
| Keyword Author Search | @attr 1=1 @attr 4=1 @attr 3=3 |
| Keyword Title Search | @attr 1=4 @attr 4=1 @attr 3=3 |
- The Result Mapping section of the form should contain the following values. Remember to input these values directly into the form, do not copy and paste. ILLiad recognizes variations in the font that can affect the performance of your Z39.50 connection.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Select XML from the drop-down menu |
| Identifier | holdingsAndCirc |
| Call Number | callNumber+enumAndChron |
| Location | localLocation+shelvingLocation+availability |
| Availability | availableNow |
| Availability Type | Regular Expression |
| Regular Expression | [1] |
| Available Type | Replace |
| Available Text | Available |
| Not Available Type | Replace |
| Not Available Text | Not Available |
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Once all values have been input click the Save button located in the Z39.50 ribbon at the top of the Customization Manager window. Make sure the connection is active by selecting it from the Select Server button also located in the Z39.50 ribbon of the Customization Manager window.
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Your Z39.50 connection to Alma is now complete. If your ILLiad client is open, close and re-open for the changes to take effect.