AI Is for Alma Implementation: Evolution of Finding Ex Libris Documentation

Those of us who administer the Ex Libris Alma Library Services Platform for our institutions often need help with procedures for configuring or customizing Alma and its related applications: Alma-D, Leganto, Rapido, Primo, Summon, Analytics, etc. The way we have done this has evolved over the years. This paper reviews how methods for finding Ex Libris documentation online have changed, even as older methods are still in use today. Artificial intelligence chatbots are changing the way we access information, including software application help. A recent Alma implementation project at my university provided the perfect opportunity to put a new, fully licensed large language model (LLM)—in this case, Microsoft 365 Copilot—to use. After examining the current state, we will speculate on where AIassisted documentation access might go next