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OCLC Support

Set import options for bibliographic records

Discover how to set import options in Connexion client.

Select a record standard and character set for imported bibliographic records

  • Record standard - Select MARC 21, Dublin Core (Simple or Qualified), or MARC XML for importing records.
  • Character set - Select the MARC-8 or UTF-8 Unicode character set to use in imported records.

     Note: If you select a Dublin Core standard or MARC XML, the client automatically selects UTF-8 Unicode character set.

Details of importing Dublin Core records in MARC 21

When you import Dublin Core Simple or Dublin Core Qualified records into the client in MARC 21, the conversion process is approximate.

  • By default, the client supplies values for the Books format, since there is no equivalent field for Leader or 008 in Dublin Core. Some fixed field elements may display fill characters. Please check or edit for correct values.
  • The following is a list of default fixed field values supplied to a record converted to MARC 21.
    Default fixed field values - Table
    Fixed field element Value Notes
    RecStat n  
    Type a  
    BLvl m  
    Ctrl blank  
    ELvl 3  
    Desc u  
    DtSt fill character You must provide values for these. If dates are unavailable, enter n and uuuu,uuuu, respectively.
    Dates 4 fill characters and 4 blanks
    Ctry xx  
    Ills 4 blanks  
    Audn blank  
    Form s The client assumes that the record you are importing describes an electronic resource. If not, change this value.
    Cont 4 blanks  
    GPub blank  
    Conf 0  
    Fest 0  
    Indx blank  
    LitF 0  
    Biog blank  
    Lang 3-character language code (or 3 fill characters)
    MRec blank  
    Source d  

     

  • To change from the Books format to another format, select a format from the drop-down list at the upper left of the fixed field display.

     Caution:
    • You must display the fixed field to have access to the MARC format list: Click View > OCLC Fixed Field > Top [or Bottom].
    • When you change the MARC format, some fixed field values may be lost. Please check or edit for correct values.
    • The temporary Import Results report that displays after import is completed (see description below) does not list any fields not mapped when you import from a Dublin Core standard to MARC 21. If fields do not map correctly or if there is a problem with the file (such as incorrectly formed XML), import fails.

Apply default constant data or assign a My Status

  1. Navigate to File > Import Records or press <Alt><F><I>.
  2. Click Options.

Apply default constant data

  1. In the Import Options window, under Apply Default Constant Data, select the Bibliographic check box to apply your default constant data to imported bibliographic records.
    Or
    Deselect the check box to import records without applying constant data.
  2. Click OK or press <Enter> to save your settings, or click Cancel to cancel changes. You are returned to the Import Records window.

Default: Check box deselected. Records are imported without applying constant data.

 Note: The name of your default bibliographic constant data record is displayed under the Bibliographic check box.

After you apply default bibliographic constant data:

  • If you import to the online save file, the client uses your default online constant data. If you import to the local save file, the client uses your default local constant data. The client shows the name of the appropriate default constant data below the check box.
  • If your default constant data is set to apply the fixed field or both fixed field and variable fields, the fixed field is applied as is, even when the format of the constant data record is different. You do not get a prompt to change the format when you import records, as you do when you apply constant data to a single record.
  • If you also have authority records in the import file, you can select the Authority check box to apply the default authority constant data record.

Assign a My Status

  1. In the Import Options window, under My Status for Bibliographic Records, in the Type list, select an OCLC offline service if the records to be imported were supplied by the service. For other records, leave the Type list empty.
  2. In the Identifier field, enter a My Status in free text (e.g., You select BibNote from the Type list and enter your name (B. Smith). My Status = BibNote B. Smith).

     Note: My Status can be up to 40 characters of free text, including the name of the OCLC service, if selected. My Status is a feature to help you identify and retrieve records in the save file. My Status is unavailable for authority records, whether imported to the online or local save file.

  3. Click OK or press <Enter> to save your settings, or click Cancel to cancel changes. You are returned to the Import Records window.

Select a character set for imported bibliographic records

  1. Navigate to File > Import Records or press <Alt><F><I>.
  2. Click Record Characteristics.
  3. Under Bibliographic Records, select one of the following from the Character Sets list:
    • MARC-8 (default)
    • UTF-8 Unicode

     Note:
    • The only available record format for imported bibliographic records is MARC 21.
    • Follow the same procedure in this window to select the option for importing authority records.
  4. Click Reset to reset the selection to the default settings.
  5. Click OK or press <Enter> to save your settings, or click Cancel to cancel changes. You are returned to the Import Records window.

 Note:

  • If non-MARC-8 scripts are exported in MARC-8 data format, the non-MARC-8 characters are saved in Numeric Character Reference (NCR) format.
  • Select MARC-8 or Unicode format for importing based on the format of the data in your import file.
  • See documentation on Unicode from the Library of Congress.