About Load Tables

After records have been imported to the Innovative server, they must be translated from their existing format into the storage format used by your database (that is, "preprocessed"). During implementation, Innovative sets up load tables (m2btab.* files) according to your library's specifications to map the existing format to the storage format. After implementation, your organization can create and edit load tables or contact Innovative to acquire load profiling services.

The extension of the m2btab file identifies the type of record being converted. Common examples of load tables include:

• m2btab.b -- Bibliographic and item records from a bibliographic utility (for example, OCLC) for interactive downloading and Z39.50 transfer.
• m2btab.order -- Bibliographic and order records via batch loading.
• m2btab.bta -- Bibliographic and item records from initial data load.
• m2btab.anam -- Name and title authority records.
• m2btab.asub -- Subject authority records.
• m2btab.batch -- Bibliographic and item records via batch loading.
• m2btab.p -- Patron records.

Load tables can also contain commands to be executed as records are loaded into the Innovative database. For example, commands can overlay fields in existing records with data from incoming records or create attached records using data in specified fields of incoming records.

For more information on load tables, see the following sections:

• Load Table Functionality
• How to Access Load Tables

Load Table Functionality

During record loading, load tables can do the following:

• Specify which fields and subfields in the incoming record are retained when the record is loaded in the Innovative database.
• Map fields and subfields in the incoming record to the fields and subfields that are loaded into the Innovative database.
• Map MARC tags in the incoming record to MARC tags that are loaded into the Innovative database.
• Map MARC tags in the incoming record to field group tags that are loaded into the Innovative database.
• Specify whether to map BIB LEVEL and/or MAT TYPE from the leader of the MARC record.
• Specify if CAT DATE should be inserted in the record during the load, and if so, whether it is today's date or a date from a template.
• If the incoming record contains no data for one or more fixed-length fields, specify the default values to insert into the record during load.
• Determine the action the system takes if the record you are loading matches a record already stored in your database (that is, create a new record, overlay fields in the existing record with fields from the incoming record, or reject the incoming record).
• Specify fields in existing records that are protected from overlay.
• Specify the types of attached records to create during the load.

A trigger in the load table determines which field(s) in incoming records contain the values that are interpreted as "holding symbols." Holding symbols are used to:

• Insert a branch code into the bibliographic record LOCATION fixed-length field of the stored record.
• Specify which 6XX fields in incoming records are converted to the stored record format.
• Specify a prioritized list of fields in imported bibliographic records that can contain the call number for the stored record.

You can use holding symbols for records that cannot be edited before they are imported by entering in the holding symbol file some value that holds true for all records (for example, 245 subfield 'a' exists). You can edit the holding symbol file with Advanced System Access & Administration .

Contact Innovative to change the default load table used for Z39.50 transfer.

How to Access Load Tables and Related Files

How you view, create, and edit load tables and related files depends on which version of Sierra your organization is running.

Sierra 6.3 and Later

You can view, create, and edit load tables (m2btab files) in the Sierra Desktop Application or Sierra Web using the Load Tables function. For more information, see Working with Load Tables.

You can create and edit translation / mapping tables (m2bmap files) and activate load buttons for Data Exchange (m.marcload.local file) using the Load Profile Maintenance module in Admin Corner. For more information, see the Load Profile Training manual in the Sierra Training and Learning Center.

Sierra 6.2 and Earlier

You can create and edit load tables (m2btab.* files), translation / mapping tables (m2bmap files), and load buttons for Data Exchange (m.marcload.local file) using the Load Profile Maintenance module in Admin Corner. For more information, see the Load Profile Training manual in the Sierra Training and Learning Center.

You can also view your library's load tables in Admin Corner using the M > MARC load tables option.