Network Zone Normalization

(updating in progress 1/31/25 - needs new screenshots, updated links)

Background

Network Zone OCLC Integrations (Search External Resources (Worldcat (OCLC)) and Connexion) will use a normalization process that will be configured in the network zone instance and used by all campuses.  This document describes the CSU-wide normalization process used in these integrations.

Policy Statement

The normalization process, CSU Remove 029,936,938,948,984 removes the 029, 936, 938, 948 and 984 Marc fields from bibliographic records.

The 029 is removed because it is a vendor control number and serves no function in Alma. Furthermore, the Orbis Cascade Alliance found that numerous 029 fields caused problems with record processing. The 936 is Conser/OCLC miscellaneous data This link will take you to an external website in a new tab. and the 938 field is vendor-specific data This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.. When a record is imported from Worldcat through Search External Resources, the 948 field This link will take you to an external website in a new tab. indicates whether or not the title is held and how many other institutions hold this title. The 984 field is for local data This link will take you to an external website in a new tab..

Best practice recommendations

The normalization process, CSU Remove 029,936,938,948,984 NZ should be applied to import profiles and integration profiles that import bibliographic records.

Procedures in Alma

The normalizaton process, CSU Remove 029,936,938,948,984 NZ is applied at the NZ level for Search External Resources (Worldcat (OCLC)) and the OCLC Connexion integration profile.

Optionally, if a campus would like to apply this process in its instance of Alma the rule must be saved to the campus' institution zone and then be made into a normalization process.

Saving the normalization rule to your IZ

In Metadata Editor, go to File, Options and Placement of new rules should be Local.

Under the Rules tab go to Normalization Rules and then Shared to locate the normalization rule, CSU Remove 029,936,938,948,984 NZ. Then left-click on it and Duplicate.

Name this rule (suggestion: CSU Remove 029,936,938,948,984 IZ) and make sure that it is Shared and Enabled.

After you save this rule, you will create a normalization process  This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.from it.

Creating a normalization process form the locally-saved normalization rule

Go to Alma, Resource Management, Resource Configuration, Configuration Menu. Then Cataloging, Metagdata Configuration.

Then select MARC21 Bibliographic.

Select Normalization Processes tab and Add Process.

Name and describe your process. (Suggestion: CSU Remove 029,936,938,948,984 IZ) Make sure the process is Active.

Select MarcDroolNormalization (the normalization rules are written in the Drools programming language) and then Add to Selection.

Choose the normalization rule, CSU Remove 029,936,938,948,984 IZ from the drop-down. Then save.

Now this process will be available to use with your IZ's Connexion and Search External Resources integration profile.