Record Loading Basics
There are five methods of specifying which fields are loaded, which values are mapped, and which records are created during record downloading:
Load Tables
Characteristics
- Can be specified for Z39.50 importing (contact Innovative to change the default load table)
- Can be "pre-specified" for batch loading, but also can be specified on a record by record basis for interactive loading
- Can be customized
- Common examples of load tables: m2btab.b, m2btab.bo, m2btab.bta, m2btab.a, m2btab.p
What they do
- Specify which MARC fields are loaded and assign field group tags
- Specify if CAT DATE should be inserted, and if so, whether it is today's date or a date from a template
- Specify what to do if matches to an incoming record are found
- Specify types of attached records to create
- Specify overlay protection for particular fields
- Specify whether to map BIB LEVEL and/or MAT TYPE from the leader of the MARC record
- Detect if incoming data is encoded in MARC8 or UTF-8
- Specify encoding of incoming diacritics and non-Roman characters (other than MARC8 or UTF-8)
Viewing and Editing Load Tables
How you access load tables depends on which release of Sierra your library is running. For more information, see How to Access Load Tables and Related Files.
See also:
Holding Symbols
Characteristics
- Usually input into a 049 MARC tag on SkyRiver or OCLC
- Can be set up for products that do not allow the data to be edited before downloading. This can be done based on some value that will hold true for all records, for example, 245 subfield "a" exists
What they do
- Insert a branch code into the bibliographic record LOCATION fixed field
- Specify which 6XX fields are converted to III format
- Specify call number loading priority for bibliographic records (only)
Default Menu Path to View Holding Symbols in Admin Corner
M > MANAGEMENT information
I > INFORMATION about the system
C > CODES used
H > HOLDING symbols
Default Templates
Characteristics
- Can include customized values for a particular item type or collection
- Can be specified for downloading either through catalog database system options (one set for each load table) or through the use of a command line "dflt=" command
What they do
- Input fixed field values when 'invoked' during downloading
Default Menu Path to Default Templates in Admin Corner
A > ADDITIONAL system functions
A > ALTER system parameters
D > DEFAULTS for new records
See also:
Command Lines
Characteristics
- Created in a local field
- Usually entered into a 949^^, but can be defined for a MARC tag other than 949
- Not repeatable
- Can be used alone or in conjunction with subfield lines
- Can be used in batch or interactive loading
What they do
- Specify the load table to be used (to override the default)
- Create attached records, items, or orders
- Specify bibliographic fixed field data
- Specify attached record fixed field data
- Specify order record variable field data
- Issue overlay information
- Specify default templates to be used
- Insert log-in name
- Turn purchase order printing on or off for downloaded orders (to override the default in place)
- Set the foreign currency code used for orders in a foreign currency to be downloaded and converted to local currency
Subfield Lines
Characteristics
- Usually entered into a 949^1, but can be defined for a MARC tag other than 949^1
- Repeatable
- Can include variable field data of all kinds
- Can be used in conjunction with command lines or alone
- Can be used in batch or interactive loading
- For batch loads, a 949^0 subfield line can be used to map in bibliographic data (Innovative set-up required)
What they do
- Create attached items
- Insert variable field information (embedded spaces can be transmitted)
- Include locally created variable fields in downloaded records, such as GIFT NOTE or LABEL PREFIX.