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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I import more than one MARC bibliographic record into the system?
  2. Can I copy many individual MARC bibliographic records into one file, and import that one file?
  3. How can I edit an existing bibliographic record?
  4. How can I add more items (holdings) once the Batch Control is done?
  5. How can I delete a bibliographic record?
  6. How do I get rid of an item?
  7. What are the most commonly used tags in a MARC bibliographic record?

1. Can I import more than one MARC bibliographic record into the system?

Yes, using [Interactive Z39.50 MARC Bib Import], you can import up to 99 bibs by simply inserting the Control No. (ISBN, ISSN, LCCN), Circulation Location and other fields necesary for your catalog. To learn more. Start at the Main Menu > [Cataloging] > [Interactive Z39.50 MARC Bib Import] > [Help].

2. Can I copy many individual MARC bibliographic records into one file, and import that one file?

Yes, you can do it in the Windows DOS Shell. Given these two NLM MARC bibs:

digit.marc
elbow.marc

Use the DOS COPY command as follows:

$ copy digit.marc+elbow.marc bunch.marc
digit.marc
elbow.marc
        1 file(s) copied

Then load bunch.marc with "Import a MARC Bib file"

Alternatively, given these & only these four bibs in an otherwise empty directory:

digit.marc
elbow.marc
thumb.marc
toes.marc

then:

D:\z>copy * D:\temp\parts.marc
thumb.marc
toes.marc
digit.marc
elbow.marc
        1 file(s) copied

Note that the resulting file, parts.marc, MUST go into a different directory. Here's the file once it is imported:

Batch #: 25451  Status: HOLD  Type: EXPORT  Created: 01/23/01
 
MARC #  OCLC#            Status    Tag 245 $a
63121   #A827293         OKPROCESS Disorders of the great toe 
63122   #A815877         OKPROCESS Observations on the surgical treatment 
63123   #A107043         OKPROCESS Atlas of improved surgical procedures
63125   #A569570         OKPROCESS Thumb reconstruction using a free neurov
63126   #A534453         OKPROCESS Approaches to digital surgery
92609   #A796620         OKPROCESS Arthroscopy of the elbow 

3. How can I edit an existing bibliographic record?

From the Main Menu select Cataloging and then Edit Existing Bibs. This function uses the OPAC to identify the bib(s) that you want to edit, and then the software copies the bibs into Batch Control. You make your changes in Batch Control using the MARC Bib Editor, and then select Update Catalog in Batch Control to apply the batch to the catalog.

4. How can I add more items once the Batch Control is done?

From the Main Menu select Cataloging, and then, New Book or A/V Item to create more items for a bib for a book or A/V item. This function should not be used to Check In serial issues!

5. How do I delete a bibliographic record?

There are two ways. If the bib does not have any items, then, from the Main Menu, select Cataloging, and then,Remove Bibs from the Catalog. This function employs the OPAC for you to identify your targeted bibs, places them in a batch, and then removes the bibs from the catalog.

If the bib has items, then from the Main Menu, select Cataloging, and then, Item Edit. At the bottom of the Item Edit window, select Remove. Once you remove the last item for the bib, the software will prompt you to remove the bib.

6. How do I get rid of an item?

From the Main Menu, select Cataloging, and then, Item Edit. At the bottom of the Item Edit window, select Remove. Once you remove the last item for the bib, the software will prompt you to remove the bib.

7. What are the most commonly used tags in a MARC bibliographic record?

The commonly used MARC 21 fields are explained in Understanding MARC Bibliographic: Machine-Readable Cataloging , published by the Library of Congress. This is helpful for original cataloging.

Direct link to a summary of commonly used tags: http://www.loc.gov/marc/umb/um07to10.html