How To Suppress Chapter-Level Records in Primo (CDI Content)

How CDI affects chapter records

Primo searches the Central Discovery Index (CDI), which is Ex Libris’s centralized index of electronic content supplied by publishers and vendors (e.g., ProQuest, JSTOR, EBSCO). CDI records—including book chapters—are indexed independently of local Alma records.

Because CDI content is provider-supplied, Primo cannot fully remove chapter-level records at the source unless Ex Libris or the provider changes what is indexed. However, Primo can be configured so these records do not appear in default searches, based on availability.

The recommended approach relies on two coordinated configurations:

1. Preventing electronic collections from reporting full-text availability to CDI (Alma)

2. Limiting Primo default search scopes to available content only (Primo VE)

When used together, chapter-level records without availability are effectively hidden from most users.

Hide chapter records by availability (Alma + Primo)

Step 1: Configure electronic collections to not report CDI full-text availability (Alma)

This step ensures that chapter-level CDI records are not marked as Available Online.

1. In Alma, use the persistent search and select Electronic Collections

2. Search for the relevant collection (e.g., Ebook Central)

3. Open the Electronic Collection record

4. Click Edit

5. Go to the Additional Information tab

6. Enable:
   “Do not show as Full Text available in CDI even if active in Alma”

7. Save the collection

What this does

• Prevents the collection from being treated as full text available in CDI

• Does not suppress CDI records themselves

• Applies to all records (including chapters) supplied by that collection

Step 2: Limit Primo default search scope to available content (Primo VE)

Once chapter records are no longer marked as available, Primo can exclude them from default searches.

1. Go to Configuration > Discovery > Search Configuration > Scopes

2. Open the default search scope

3. Ensure the scope is limited to one of the following:

   • Available Online

   • Physical items + Available Online

4. Save and deploy the changes

What this does

• Chapter-level records without availability will not appear in the default search

• Records remain in CDI and may appear if users switch to broader scopes

Important notes and limitations

• This method reduces visibility but does not delete records

• Users may still encounter chapter records if they:

  • Change to a broader search scope

  • Use advanced search configurations

• There is no Alma- or Primo-side setting that selectively suppresses chapter records for a single collection

True removal of chapter-level records requires:

• A Salesforce case with Ex Libris

• Provider agreement to change CDI metadata

Summary

• Chapter-level records are CDI-supplied and cannot be fully removed locally

• The most reliable local solution is availability-based suppression

• This requires both:

  • Alma electronic collection CDI configuration

  • Primo scope configuration

• When combined, chapter records are hidden from default Primo searches