Overview
The Primo Toolkit was a collaborative project begun in fall 2015 to identify and document commonly used customizations for enhancing and adding functionality to the Primo interface. The Toolkit covers a range of topics - from a guide to making changes in the Primo Back Office (PBO) to adding a permalink for search results in Primo. In 2017, the Primo Customization Joint Working Group added customizations to the Toolkit, focusing on the Primo New UI.
The Primo Toolkit was a collaborative project begun in fall 2015 to identify and document commonly used customizations for enhancing and adding functionality to the Primo interface. The Toolkit covers a range of topics - from a guide to making changes in the Primo Back Office (PBO) to adding a permalink for search results in Primo. In 2017, the Primo Customization Joint Working Group added customizations to the Toolkit, focusing on the Primo New UI.
As Primo evolves, the need for some customizations will lessen and new customizations will be developed. With this in mind, the goal is for this Toolkit to evolve over time, with input from members of the Orbis Cascade Alliance. If you have feedback or ideas for additional items to include, feel free to submit using this form.
We invite libraries worldwide to use the content of our Primo Toolkit to better aid their users and develop their own customizations enhancing the Primo user experience. Central Package customizations can be found either on the Alliance GitHub repository or in the new Primo Studio.
Toolkit Documentation
Cookbooks
The following documents describe best practices and contain sample changes libraries wish to implement.
- Alliance PCSG Alma Mashup Style Cookbook (added February 2018)
Central and Local Packages in Primo New UI
- Using Angular Modules in the Central Package - Best Practices (added August 2018)
- Turn on inheritance from the Central Package (added February 2017)
- Make changes in your local package (added February 2017)
Primo New UI - Customizations
- Move facets to left with PBO (added February 2017)
- Inherit custom resource-type icons from the Central Package (added February 2017)
- Implementing WorldCat button for zero-result searches (added February 2017)
- Implementing a chat logo link in the new Primo UI header (added February 2017)
- Getting initial tab and scope to display (added February 2017)
- Toggle Advanced Fields (added Oct. 2017)
- Add a Javascript-based chat widget to Primo (added December 2017)
- Add custom action (added April 2018)
- Send SMS (added June 2018)
- Show/Hide Other Institutions (July 2018 revision) (added June 2018)
- Show/hide advanced search on mobile (Added 10-17-2018)
- OA/peer-review modal windows (Added 10-17-2018)
- Login Warning for Permanent Favorites List (Added August 2019)
Getting Started with the Primo Back Office
Modifying Primo's Look and Feel
Duration: Fall/Winter 2015-2016
Members:
- Getting Up-and-Running with the PBO (added April 2016)
- PBO vs. Alma in the Primo Display (added April 2016)
- PBO Configuration: Views vs Institution- and Installation-Level Changes (added April 2016)
- Uploading CSS, HTML, and Mashup Skins to the PBO (added April 2016)
- Creating Location-Specific Scopes in the Primo Back Office (added April 2016)
- Import Records into Primo from OAI Repositories (added April 2016)
Primo Classic UI
Please note: the items below may be obsolete and/or incompatible in Primo”s New UI. They are recorded here for posterity and to help libraries operating the Classic UI.
- Best Practices for Implementing Javascript in Primo (Classic UI only)
- Enable Expandable/Collapsible Primo Facets (Classic UI only)
- Displaying the Actions Menu in the Brief Display for all Records (Classic UI only)
- Style Item Details List as Table (Classic UI only)
- Adding a Custom Favicon to Primo (Classic UI only)
- Styling the Sign-in Link in the Primo Get It Tab (Classic UI only)
- Replacing the Search Scope Drop-Down with a Regular Select (Classic UI only)
- Styling the Availability Indicators in Primo Brief Results (Classic UI only)
- Add Permalink and Citation Buttons to Brief Records (Classic UI only)
- Add a "Report a Problem" Link in Primo Actions Menu (Classic UI only)
- Add Facet Checkboxes with Boolean Operator Display (Classic UI only)
- Generate a Custom Primo Search Box or Link (Classic UI only)
- Add a Sign-In Banner to Prompt Patrons to Log In (Classic UI only)
- Add a WorldCat Link in Primo for Searches with Zero Results (Classic UI only)
- Add a Facet To Send Current Search to External System (Classic UI only)
- Add Estimated Hit Count to Primo Scope Tabs (Classic UI only)
- Add Text-a-Call-Number Feature to Primo Actions Menu (Classic UI only)
- Add a WorldCat Search Button to Primo (Classic UI only)
- Add a Lightbox-Style Sign-in Popup to Primo (Classic UI only)
- Toggle the Primo Topic Facet from a List to a Word Cloud (Classic UI only)
- Add a "Latest Articles" Tab for Journal Records in Primo) (Classic UI only)
Duration: Fall/Winter 2015-2016
Members:
- Nathan Mealey, chair (Portland State University)
- Stewart Baker (Western Oregon University)
- Kate Deibel (University of Washington)
- Doug Eriksen (Seattle University)
- Dawn Lowe-Wincensten (Oregon Institute of Technology)
- Lesley Lowery, Discovery & Delivery liaison (Western Washington University)
- Tamara Marnell (Portland Community College)