(1) What does Content request mean?
A Content request on NERS is a request submitted to get new content collections/targets/databases added into all Ex Libris ProQuest KnowledgeBases (Alma CZ, SFX KB, 360 KB) and CDI (Primo Central, Summon). If you want to increase the content of an existing collection or to have improved metadata, please always create a Salesforce case.
(2) Can NERS Content requests be created for improvement of existing content?
No. The NERS Content request voting process is only for new materials that do not already exist in the KBs and CDI.
(3) Who can take part to the NERS Content request process?
Like for all other NERS enhancement processes, your institution must be an IGeLU or ELUNA member to take part to the Content request process. Login to NERS with your institutional IGeLU or ELUNA credentials.
(4) To what Product category should a NERS Content request be added?
‘Content’ exists in NERS as an independent Product category now and is listed in the Product list. NERS Content requests are now independently processed from Ex Libris solutions.
(5) Are Content requests product-specific?
No. Like for the Idea Exchange Content forum, a holistic approach is now preferred. There is no need any more to associate a content request with a particular product. This reduces the number of requests to vote for and favors the alignment of the existing KBs and CDI.
(6) Should Content request be duplicated for KBs and CDI?
No. If you are suggesting new content for Discovery that is not yet in the Knowledgebase you do not need to submit two entries (one for Discovery and one for Knowledgebase); one unique request is enough. If possible, then Ex Libris will automatically add the new content to all KnowledgeBases (Alma CZ, SFX KB, 360 KB) and CDI (Primo Central, Summon).
(7) Is it worth creating a Content request for materials that I know being already in a particular KB/index, but not in the one my institution subscribes to?
Yes. Feel free to create a request in this case if you think it is of interest to your institution or region.
(8) How many votes can each institution give?
Each institution can give 1 vote to each request that interests you. There is no limit, but voting for a too large number of requests will reduce the influence of your voting.
(9) How are the most successful requests selected?
Ex Libris agreed to implement (where technically possible) the top 10 resources. In case vendors are not responsive, then the 11th, 12th, etc. most successful resources will be taken into consideration by Ex Libris.
(10) How often will NERS Content voting ballots take place?
It is planned to organize NERS Content voting ballots once a year, in the spring and in the autumn. New Content requests can be submitted at any time by IGeLU/ELUNA institutions.
(11) What is the Regional Resource drop down list?
In the old NERS CKB request voting, this information was automatically populated from the country of the person submitting the request. That was not always relevant, because requests could be submitted for a collection not related to the submitter’s country. The new approach gives more flexibility to the submitter. At each voting cycle, some regional resources will be boosted.
(12) How are Regional Resources going to be boosted?
Four different Regional Resource groups will be highlighted by the CWG at each voting cycle. This guarantees that at least one regional collection for each of the 4 groups will be pushed up and be part of the top 10. At each voting cycle announcement, the CWG will encourage sites to submit in the highlighted four. If there is no request present for one of the designated four, then it will be filled in with other languages. Regional Resource groups will be highlighted on a rotating basis.
(13) How have the Regional Resource groups been defined?
A Regional Resource group is created once it can concern at least 5 IGeLU or ELUNA institution members. A Regional Resource group is not necessarily country specific.
(14) Is it necessary to flag a request as Regional for better chances of success?
Not necessarily. Do not forget there might be requested regional collections that are relevant for institutions outside the linguistic area of the group.
(15) Is it worth creating a NERS request that already exists in Idea Exchange Content forum?
It depends. For ideas with the ‘Planned’ status, there is no need to submit a NERS request. For ideas with the ‘Under review’ status or no status, then using NERS can push up the requested collection.
(16) Does a request need to be very specific to a particular vendor (sub)collection?
Not necessarily. It might be wise not to submit too precise requests with a very narrow scope. Think broad so that other institutions also feel interested by your request. For example, instead of submitting a request for the “Vendor ABC German eBook Nursing Archive Collection”, create a request for “Vendor ABC eBook Collection” and mention in the description there are language specific (German, Spanish…), archive vs current, and discipline (Nursing, Veterinary, Law…) sub-collections, and ask for a general integration of ebook collections from Vendor ABC.
(17) Do yearly KB collection requests need to be created?
No. Ex Libris adds them in the KBs once they have the data from the vendor. In case of doubt or if you have any question, please open a Salesforce case.
(18) Is there any commitment from Ex Libris to get the selected requests added into the KBs and indexes?
No. It also depends on the responsiveness of the data provider. Unfortunately, even highly requested collections may not be added to the KBs and indexes if a vendor is not responsive.
(19) How to add new Content requests in NERS?
(a) Check that the resource is not already in your KB and/or index
(b) Check that no request for the resource exists already in NERS (Request search with limit by Product = Content and Status = Votable)
(c) Add a new Content request by providing the following helpful information
– Name of the Database, Collection or Platform
– Name of the Content Provider
– Link to the database or platform
– Provider contact information (if available)
– Short description why this content is important and beneficial to the community
– Flag the request as Regional if needed and select the appropriate group from the list