Label Printing from Alma - SpineOMatic
Alma Roles for SpineOMatic Printing
Label printing from Alma requires the following user roles for the generic user [i.e. User Name: labelprinter].
API Label Printing Read
API Resource Management Read
Note: with change to RESTful API printing, Alma User no longer needed.
Alma User for SpineOMatic Printing
SpineOMatic does not have a way to authenticate users via LDAP. Therefore the Alma user that logs into SpineOMatic must be an internal, not an external, user.
We have created an Alma user, Label Printer, specifically for SpineOMatic with the appropriate Alma roles for label printing (see below).
Note: with change to RESTful API printing, Alma User no longer needed.
SpineOMatic Set-Up Information
Desktop Java App [obsolete -- Do not use]
Server: https://na02.alma.exlibrisgroup.com
ExLibris institution code: 01URI_INST
User Name: labelprinter
Password: 4LabelPrint
RESTful API [recommended -- Use this]:
ALMA URL: https://api-na.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com
Method: /almaws/v1/items?view=label&item_barcode={item_barcode}
API Key: see spreadsheet in GoogleDrive and enter in grayed out area below [This is URI's API key which we got from the ExLibris Developer's Network => Application panel. Needs to have Bibs access.]
To test the API, paste the URL below into your browser window. Replace {barcode} with a real barcode and {your-api-key} with the API key. Press enter.
https://api-na.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/almaws/v1/items?view=label&item_barcode={barcode}&apikey={your-api-key}
Print Set Up Tab
Use the screenshot below for the Print Setup tab in Spine-O-Matic.
Call Number Format
Use the screenshot below to set up the Call Number Format tab.
Pocket Labels
Use the screenshot below to set up the Pocket Labels tab.
To update SpineOMatic
Click SpineOMatic's "Check for Updates" button to download and install the new version automatically.
Printing from Alma using SpineOMatic
**NOTE – An item MUST have a barcode in Alma in order to print labels through Spine-O-Matic.
Make sure printer is turned on before launching the Spine-O-Matic software.
1. Click the Spine-O-Matic icon on your desktop.
2. Click the |> arrow next to the word “Review” to open up the options box.
**DO NOT CHANGE ANY OF THE SETTINGS!!!**
3. Click the “Call Number Format” tab at the top.
4. Click the “sca” box and scan or type your barcode into the green box. If typing the barcode, make sure to press <enter>.
5. If the message “Call number type# is not handled by any parsing routine” comes up, just click OK.
6. Verify that you have the correct book and make any changes to the call number if necessary (i.e. adding a volume number, year, or altering the call number format).
NOTE - If you have an item with a prestamp (i.e. REF, SERIAL, etc.), you will need to add the prestamp to the pocket label before printing.
Spine-O-Matic will only print the prestamp on the spine label.
7. If multiples of the same label are needed, change the number of copies in the little green box.
8. Click “Send to desktop printer”.
9. Click the “sca” box and scan or type your next barcode.
Helpful Tip
Save a copy of the "settings.som" file for each installation of SpineOmatic. Every so often the setting file reverts back to its vanilla version, losing all the printer assignments, margins, typeface etc. as well as Alma connection details. Rather than have to recreate it all manually, it’s easier to just copy your saved file to replace the defective version.
Documentation and Support
ExLibris Developer Network SpineOMatic blog post
SpineOMatic GitHub page / download tab
Reporting issues: https://github.com/ExLibrisGroup/SpineOMatic/issues
Help: Alma-L <Alma@exlibrisusers.org>
Note: As of 2019, Boston College no longer owns or supports SpineOMatic.