FAQs

Table of Contents

• Differences between Aleph and Alma z39.50 searching
• Configuring z39.50 searching in ILLiad
• Performing a z39.50 earch in ILLiad

Differences Between Aleph and Alma z39.50 Searching

Please note that Alma's z39.50 search function does not always behave in the same way Aleph's z39.50 search function did, so the search results in ILLiad will be different than they were prior to Alma implementation.  Main differences include:

• ILLiad no longer displays every item record for serials, monographic series, and multi-volume sets.  Only a singe item record displays.
• Searches for periodicals will often include monographs associated with the periodical title in the search results.
• Keyword and System Number searches do not work in many instances.

Configuring z39.50 Searching in ILLiad

1. Log in to the ILLiad Customization Manager and click the z39.50 tab.

2. Click the New button and then select ALEPH from the dropdown that appears (there is not yet an option for Alma).

3. Fill in the fields in the Connection section with the information shown below.  Change each instance of XXX to your institution's three letter Alma code.  The information in the Searching and Result Mapping sections can remain unchanged.

4. Click the Save button.

Performing a Z39.50 Search in ILLiad

1. Open an ILLiad request and click the z39.50 tab.

2. Make sure Alma is selected from the connection dropdown in the upper left corner of the request window.  If you have to change this, that change should be saved for all future ILLiad logins.  You should not have to change this every time you log in to ILLiad.

3. You have five options for performing a z39.50 search in ILLiad.

• Title
• Author
• Keyword
• System Number (OCLC Number)
• Standard Number (ISBN/ISSN)

To perform one of these searches, click the magnifying glass next to that search option.  Search results will appear in the Searching tab below.  Please note that the Keyword and System Number searches do not work in many instances.

4. If you get multiple search results, single click the correct result.  If you get just one search result, that result will be automatically selected.  Once the correct result is selected, you can either double click the correct search result or click the top half of the Copy Info button to copy the citation and location/call number info into the Detail tab of the request. If you wish to copy just the location/call number info into the Detail tab of the request, click the bottom half of the Copy Info button and then click Import Location and Call Number.