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Alma – New library system

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Alma, a new library system was introduced at Uniarts Helsinki Library in July 2020. This page gathers information on changes caused by the change of the system, as well as links to Alma related library news. 

What is Alma?

Alma is a library system that includes the library’s printed and electronic materials as well as customer information. The system does not appear outward to customers. Arsca is still the search interface. 

What changes has Alma brought?

Alma has brought improvements to the operation of the library, but the service is not directly visible to users. Arsca will continue to serve as a customer interface, but Uniarts-members will sign in to the service using their Uniarts IDs (HAKA login) in the future, and other customers will sign in with their email address or Finna-account. You only need a library card to borrow the material in the library.

In the new library system loan renewals are determined by the maximum number of loan days, not the number of renewals. You can renew 14 day loans for 180 days and 28 day loans for 730 days. For example, you can renew a 28 day loan for two years even on a a daily basis if you want to, and the due date always moves 28 days forward from that day.

Notifications and reminders will be sent primarily only via e-mail. Printed letters include reminders and bills for unreturned items (overdue for at least 42 days).

What do I have to do?

If you don’t have an email address in your customer information, you can’t log in to Arsca: contact the library to add an email address to your customer profile. If you had any favorite-lists or saved searches in Arsca, you need to do them again.

Update your personal information

Check your personal information in Arsca, and update your information in WebOodi (students), Mepco (staff) or Arsca (other users). If your personal information is up to date, you don’t have to do anything. If not, update your information:

Students

Check and update your information in WebOodi. Your Uniarts e-mail address is imported from WebOodi to Arsca, so you only need to check your street address. You can add your phone number and (if you like) your personal e-mail address to Arsca by using this form in Arsca (unlike other information, your phone number and personal e-mail address will not be imported from WebOodi to Arsca). New student: you can ask the library to add this information when you collect your library card.

Staff and teachers

Check and update your information in Mepco. Your Uniarts e-mail address and work phone number are imported from Mepco to Arsca, so you only need to check your street address. If you want to add your personal e-mail address or phone number to Arsca, add them by using this form in Arsca – don’t use the form in Mepco for this purpose. Also set your preferred language in Mepco (Finnish, Swedish, English) and receive library’s e-mails in that language.

Other users

If you are not a Uniarts member, check and update your information in Arsca by using this form. Also set your preferred language (Finnish, Swedish, English) and receive automated library e-mails (due date notifications etc.) in that language.