The Bowker Book Analysis System is a web-based collection-analysis tool and resource for academic librarians to compare their library’s collection against Resources for College Libraries (RCL). This is a customizable, self-service analysis tool. To utilize this service, your staff will need to create a set in Alma, run a job to extract your catalog data in Marc format, and then transfer those records to BBAS. Only a few institutions utilize this tool.

How It Works

Using Alma sets, build a query that contains all of your holdings. Then set up a publishing profile to output these records in MARC 21 format to an FTP server of your choosing. You can also choose to create multiple sets of records from subsets of your catalog -- such as by subject area, or lists identified for weeding or storage.

The Bowker website allows you to upload your export file via a Browse button. After providing Bowker with basic information about the format and contents of your file, your holdings will be matched against the core list you choose by ISBN, LCCN & Title & Author, or Title & Author, or LCCN & Title. When the analysis is complete, you will receive an e-mail inviting you to log-in to Bowker’s Book Analysis System to view or download your reports.

In addition to your core match file, four value-added files will be provided, including:

• A no-match file

• A file of the invalid ISBNs in your collection

• A file with the new 13-Digit ISBN conversion for your submitted files

• A file on the duplications of multiple formats or editions for same title

All files can be downloaded in CSV format for easy use, further analysis, and incorporation into your ILS.