Using LIBstick to print labels in Alma

There are three blogs on the topic of using LIBstick:

• How to install and use the Print in LIBstick app = Describes how to install, configure and use the Cloud App
• Quick guide to using LIBstick to set up a label template and print labels = A very brief overview of how to set up the labels used by LIBstick
• Using LIBstick to print labels in Alma = A detailed analysis for the administrator who sets up the LIBstick account and the designer who defined the label properties.

Introductory note

The information below is introductory in nature and not a replacement for reading the full LIBstick User Guide.

• Steps 1-5 below is the initial setup (relevant only for administrator setting up account)
• Steps 6-10 focus on setting up the labels (relevant for user designing and / or printing labels)
• Steps 11-12 focus on installing the app and printing the labels (relevant for user who prints labels)

After reviewing this blog you will be able to start printing labels with LIBstick.

After reading the full LIBstick User Guide you will be able to perform in depth configurations.

Introduction

One option for label printing is the LIBstick (Library Sticker) SaaS based printing service,  (developed in 2019 by the Technion Library IS (Information System)).

LIBSTICK is a template-based label printing service. 

See also LIBstick on the Ex Libris App Center .

Contents

1. Create LIBstick account
2. Confirm login to LIBstick
3. Create API keys
4. Add API keys
5. Add more users to LIBstick interface
6. Configure the paper
7. Add a new field to default label
8. Add a logo to the default label
9. Rearrange the fields on the default label
10. Change margins of the existing fields on the label
11. Install the LIBstick Cloud App as described at How to install and use the Print in LIBstick app
12. Print the labels as described at How to install and use the Print in LIBstick app

Step one

The administrator of the institution will create a LIBstick account by contacting the Technion IS team via mail: libstick@technion.ac.il 

This is done only once and only by the administrator.  After the account is created the administrator can then create additional users for his institution.  Each user of the institution does not need to send an email to libstick@technion.ac.il .

As administrator you will receive an email with a link to your account as below (below the account name and password is blocked out for security purposes but of course in your real account it will appear).

Step Two

Confirm that you can log into LIBstick:

Step Three

Create an API key for read-only for Bibs and Configuration.  Later we will add this in the LIBstick configuration

Step Four

In the LIBstick interface add your API keys which were created above in step two.  Do “Settings > LIBstick > API Keys” and then add the keys.

When adding the keys note that you can first “Check Keys” and receive message on top if it is valid.  It is recommended to do this and then save the keys.

Step Five

In the LIBstick interface add other users who will be using LIBstick.

There are three types of users.

1. Administrator: manager anything, create users, assign roles
2. Designer: designs templates
3. Maker: Prints labels

You are an administrator.

To add users choose “Settings > Users > Add New”

Step Six

Configure the Paper

Different libraries use different label “sticker papers”.

Choose”Settings > Paper Types > Add New”

Give the paper type a name.  Fill in paper details as desired and click “publish”.

Here we define paper of type A4 with 5 labels across (5 columns) and 5 labels down (5 rows).

Choose a paper type to use and click “Apply”

Step Seven

We will now edit the default label to include the LC Call Number

Choose: Design Templates > select template Default > Actions > Edit > Add Field

A default field will get added.  Click “Edit” on the default field and add the desired field.

Now the call number has been added to the label

If we want to bold and center the call number in the default template then do as follows:

Design Templates > select template Default > Actions > Edit

Select the field you want to edit and click the edit icon

Choose Bold and Center

See results

Make sure that after making this change (and all other changes) you save the default label template by doing:

Design Templates > select template Default > Actions > Save

Step Eight

We will now edit the default label to include a logo.

First add the logo to the media gallery.  Choose “Settings > Media > Add New”

Add the logo

Choose: Design Templates > select template Default > Actions > Edit > Add Field

A default field will get added.  Click “Edit” on the default field and change it to type “image”.

Add the logo (which was added to the Media Gallery above) by doing “Choose image source”

Now we have the logo as part of the label

Step Nine

We will now rearrange the fields on the label.  We will remove the MMSID from the first row and drag the logo to the top.

Choose: Design Templates > select template Default > Actions > Edit

Next to the MMSID click the delete icon

Drag the image to the top

Now we have this

Step Ten

Note that it is possible to change the margins of the fields of the existing default label layout.

This is done when editing each field.

Design templates > select template default > actions > edit > choose a field > on the bottom section change the margin

Here we will change the top margin of the logo (which is on the top of the label)

Step Eleven

Install the LIBstick Cloud App as described at How to install and use the Print in LIBstick app

Step Twelve

When ready print the barcodes as described at How to install and use the Print in LIBstick app