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    Summary of steps for importing bibliographic records from MARC record files using the Voyager cataloging client

    • Product: Voyager
    • Relevant for Installation Type: Multi-Tenant Direct, Dedicated-Direct, Local, TotalCare

     

    Question

    Provide a basic summary of the steps for importing bibliographic records from MARC record files using the Voyager cataloging client.

    Answer

    The Voyager cataloging client may be used to import bibliographic records from MARC record files. The same import process may also be used to replace existing records.

     

    Configuring Cataloging Client Preferences
    1. Set the expected character set in Options > Preferences > Mapping (Determine the character set of a record from byte 9 of the bib record leader.  A value of "a" indicates the record is Unicode; a blank indicates non-Unicode).
    2. Set the Duplicate Detection Profile in Options > Preferences > General (Follow your library's best practices to detect duplicate records; the "OCLCConditional" rule compares standard number values and assigns a point value to each type of match: OCLC number/035$a (100), ISBN (10), etc.)
    3. Set "Delete records from import file once saved to database" in Options > Preferences > General as per library best practices.

     

    Importing Records
    1. Go to Record > Import > New File
    2. Select your import file. Note that some common file extensions for MARC files include: .mrc, .dat, .bin, .bib
    3. Open the file (if you receive an encoding match error, revisit your cataloging preferences)
    4. A list of records will be displayed (if there is only one record in the file, you will still see the import titles list)
    5. To import any record, select it and click "OK" to import.
    6. The record will open in a new window in the cataloging client.  The title bar will show "Imported record" followed by the record number from the source system.. This will be whatever number was in the 001 of the original record
    7. At this point the record is not stored in Voyager.  You may edit the record if you wish.
    8. Note the 003 and 001 of the original record will be combined into a new 035 field.
    9. Click the "Save to DB" button (sailboat icon) to save the record to the database.
    10. Validation according to Options > Preferences > Validation will occur. This includes tag table validation, character set validation, and ISBN/ISSN validation. If the client reports errors, cancel the save.
    11. Voyager will next attempt to match access points in the record to authority records in the database.  Selecting the "Close" button on this screen will cancel the save operation.
    12. Finally, if a duplicate record is detected based on your Duplicate Detection Profile, the "Bibliographic Dedupe Detection" window will appear.  Proceed according to local best practices.  Click the "Close" button to abort the workflow.  To save the record, repeat the "Save to DB" action. 

    The above steps create the bibliographic record.  You likely still need to create a MFHD (Holdings) record and (optional - consult your local Best Practices) Item record to have a complete record hierarchy.