Set up third-party fulfillment integration
Libraries using Tipasa can improve their ILL and circulation workflows through integration with Ex Libris Alma via a NCIP (NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol) server. This integration minimizes manual steps and improves workflows.
- Cost considerations: While OCLC offers the ability to set up this integration at no cost to your library, some ILS vendors may charge fees for the NCIP server. Libraries should consult with their ILS vendor to understand any associated costs.
- Automate tasks with circulation integration: With this Tipasa – fulfillment integration, the need to manually make updates in the circulation system will be eliminated. As a result, these key tasks will be automated:
- Create Temporary Items and Holds
- Charge Patron ILL Fees
- Check out items that your library is lending
- Check in items at the end of the loan period
- Requirements for setting up the integration. This page provides details about how to set up Tipasa and fulfillment integration. Before beginning, note that:
- All steps must be completed for the integration to work properly.
- All NCIP integration between Tipasa and Alma circulation systems goes in the direction of Tipasa sending messages to your circulation system.
- Before you turn on third-party circulation integration in OCLC’s Service Configuration, contact your ILS vendor to get the NCIP integration set up in circulation. This may require you to work with your library’s circulation staff as well.
Summary and checklist of steps
| Done | Configuration action | Località | Descrizione |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the third-party access authorization form for Ex Libris |
Ex Libris form |
The ILL request transfer service allows your library to transfer ILL requests from your Alma ILS to your Tipasa service. | |
| Policy considerations and setup | Your circulation system | Prior to enabling integration in Service Configuration for Tipasa, make sure the configuration is complete in your Alma circulation system. | |
| Activate integration | Tipasa/OCLC Service Configuration | After you have completed the above steps, activate Tipasa and third-party circulation integration in Service Configuration. |
Third-party configuration
Step 1: Complete the third-party access authorization form for Ex Libris
The ILL request transfer service allows your library to transfer ILL requests from your Integrated Library System (ILS) to your Tipasa service. Once the transfer is complete, manage the transferred requests in your OCLC ILL service. Refer to ILL request transfer service for more information.
The transfer service utilizes the OCLC’s Automated Request Manager during the transfer.
- If you have not configured Automated Request Manager, ILL requests will be automatically sent to review in your ILL service.
- If you have configured Automated Request manager, ILL requests will be processed and match appropriate profiles for further automated ILL processing.
To initiate the transfer of ILL requests from Alma to your OCLC ILL Review file, use the appropriate authorization form for your library's ILS provider. Please complete the form by filling out the fields electronically, then print, sign, and send to legal@oclc.org.
- Ex Libris form
OCLC will respond to your request once your institution is configured for the ILL request transfer service. You will receive an email from OCLC instructing you how to retrieve your key. Once you have your key, follow the instructions provided by Ex Libris.
Step 2: Policy considerations and setup
Before you configure Tipasa, contact your circulation system and review documentation to determine how to adjust your ILS policies. These changes will also include decisions about whether to send notifications to your patrons from Alma or Tipasa for events like item available for pickup and about to be due/overdue items. These notifications should come from one system or the other and not both. If you decide to send these notifications from Alma, be sure to disable them for automated sending in Tipasa.
For assistance with Tipasa notifications to your patrons, see Notifications.
Notifications sent from you as the lending library to the borrowing library should always be handled through Tipasa once you have the integration enabled. This is because items you lend to other libraries will no longer be checked out to individual library accounts in your circulation system. Instead, they will be moved to a new location when checked out for Interlibrary Loan. For assistance configuring these notifications for Tipasa, see Send notifications to borrowing libraries.
Step 3: Activate Tipasa circulation integration in Service Configuration
Caution: Activating features on this page is the final step. Integration will be active based on the configured settings after this page is saved. After you have completed Step 1, cionfigure and activate Circulation Integration.