How to create local bibliographic records for equipment

  1. In the metadata editor, make sure you are saving your records locally. Select the New menu and click on Placement Options.
    Placement options
  2. Select “Local” for the Placement of new records and templates. Click Save. (Remember to change this back to “Network” before cataloging regular library items.)
    Local placement for saved records
  3. On the New menu, under MARC 21 Bibliographic, click on Books (Default)
    New books
  4. Fill in the information you want in your bibliographic record, add as much detail as you want
    Sample bib record
  5. Click Save to save the record.
  6. Click the +Add Inventory menu, and under Add MARC21 Holdings click Books (Default)
    New holding record
  7. If you are not using a standard call number scheme, make the first indicator 8 in the 852 field. Add your location code in the $$c field. If you do not know your codes, click CTRL-F to open the form editor, and there is a drop-down with choices for $$c.
    Holdings drop down for location
  8. You can place a call number/location in $$h and $$i if you want. Click Save.
    Sample holding record
  9. Click the +Add Inventory menu, and click on Add Item
  10. Fill in the item record form, and save the record
    Sample item record copy 1
  11. If you have more equipment to add to this record, highlight the holdings record so it is blue, and click on the +Add Inventory menu, and click on Add Item
    Sample item record copy 2
  12. Change the description and copy numbers to indicate this piece of equipment is different from the other one, click Save.
  13. In the metadata editor, release all records from the MARC21 Bib tab and the Holdings tab.
    Release records from metadata editor
  14. Here’s how the record looks in Alma:
    Record in Alma

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