Cataloging in Alma is a collaborative and hierarchical approach with a shared (single) record from OCLC, serving as the master bibliographic record, onto which each library’s holdings will be attached. This shared record resides in the Network Zone (NZ) to which all USG libraries contribute work. Two other zones support the work of USG libraries: the Community Zone (CZ) serves as a repository of e-resource records from ExLibris and other vendors, while the IZ (Institutional Zone) serve as a separate and individual database for categories of records which should not be shared with the larger USG community. Records from the 3 zones are displayed in the public interface, Primo VE.
Please explore this Cataloging Training Wiki for more information, join the G2Cat discussion list, read the USG Cataloging Group minutes , or find help with Alma or cataloging questions.
Roles required for Alma cataloging in the consortia: While roles in Alma are required for cataloging and completing bibliographic, holding, and item work, OCLC is the primary software for cataloging. In addition to setting up appropriate roles for bibliographic work in Alma, those doing bibliographic work through cataloging or record maintenance will need an OCLC account with appropriate permissions. Not all staff may have the authorization or ability to do all aspects of work presented in this wiki. See Roles and Levels in the NZ for more information.
Alma terminology for catalogers [2017-03-30]
Alma icons for catalogers [2022-04-12]
Alma Zones [2017-03-30]
Searching in Alma [2022-03-22]
Disclaimer:
Training included is generally not configuration details. Those can be found in the Project Wiki. Those at your institution who are Alma certified can make configuration changes required. In many cases, crossover training will be required for certain staff. The institution is responsible for identifying those individuals and building appropriate training. The training list put together in this wiki is not a definitive list of all available resources, but we hope it is a list of the main concepts.