How do I process article borrowing requests?
Answer
When a user submits a borrowing article request, Alma automatically sends the request to potential lenders unless the request exceeds the CONTU "Rule of 5". Requests that exceed the "Rule of 5" end up in the Pending Approval status, and they must be manually sent to the first library in the rota if you wish to fill the reqeust in Alma.
Copyright payments must be managed outside of Alma. Recommended methods for doing this are purchasing the requested article directly from the publisher's website, purchasing the requested article from a commercial document supplier like Reprints Desk, or making a payment to the publisher via the Copyright Clearance Center. If you purchase the requested article outside of Alma, you can deliver the file via Alma instead of sending it to the first library in the rota.
Sending Requests That Exceed the "Rule of 5"
1. Click the Edit button for the article request that is in the Pending Approval status. A window with additional information about the reqeust will open on the right side of your screen.
2. Scroll down to the Requests Attributes section of the request, change the Copyright Status dropdown to "Copyright Approved", and then click the Save button. The request status will change to Ready to be Sent.
3. Click the ellipsis next to the request and then click the Send link. The request will be sent to the first library in the rota.
Delivering Purchased Articles to the User
1. Locate the borrowing article request in the Borrowing Requests list, click the ellipsis next to the request, and then clock the Upload link. You will then be taken to the Document Delivery interface.
3. Click the Browse link, select the file you received from the lending library, wait for the file to finish uploading, and then click the Send button. The Document Delivery Notification Letter will be sent to the user, and the borrowing request will be completed.
