Item Policies

Alma item policies are a tool used in the Alma Fulfillment module to create exception rules that override the standard circulation rules for specific items.

 

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Configuring Item Policies

Item policies are configured via a Code Table at the institutional level. These steps define the policy codes that will later be used in the Fulfillment Rules engine.

1. Navigate to the Configuration Menu: Go to Configuration Menu > Fulfillment > Physical Fulfillment > Item Policy.

2. Define Institutional Context: Ensure you are configuring within the context of your institution. Defining policies at the library level is strongly discouraged.

3. Add a New Policy: Select the action to add a new item policy.

4. Enter Code and Description: Enter a unique Code and a clear Description for the new policy (e.g., Code: DISPLAY, Description: Display Only).

5. Save the Code Table: Select Save to implement the new or updated policies.

 

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Associating Item Policies with Terms of Use (TOU)

The item policies you define in the code table are activated by linking them to specific Terms of Use (TOUs) within your Fulfillment Unit Rules. This is how an item policy creates its exception.

The association takes place within a Fulfillment Unit's rule table, which dictates which TOU is applied to a transaction based on a set of criteria.

1. Access Fulfillment Unit Rules: Navigate to the specific Fulfillment Unit you wish to modify (Configuration Menu > Fulfillment > Fulfillment Units).

2. Define a Rule: Within the Fulfillment Unit Rules section, create a new rule row or edit an existing one.

3. Use Item Policy as Criteria: In one of the criteria columns (such as Item Policy), select and specify the Item Policy code (e.g., DISPLAY) that you created in the code table.

4. Assign the TOU: In the final column of that rule, select the specific Terms of Use (e.g., Reading Room Only) that should be applied IF the item being processed matches all the criteria in the row, including the specified Item Policy.

For more information on fulfillment rules, please see the WRLC Alma Wiki page Fulfillment Units and Fulfillment Rules.

 

Resulting Rule Logic: The Item Policy acts as a flag on an item record that, when matched in a Fulfillment Rule, triggers an exception to the standard circulation rules by applying a specialized Terms of Use.