Marcive Backfile Processing

GIL Turns off (pauses) nightly OCLC to Alma automated loads: Saturday Dec 2nd at 5pm

Project duration: Dec 4th 2017 - Jan 8th, 2018

GIL Sends bibs records to Marcive: Monday Dec 4th

Marcive will send GIL a test file for review: 12/11 – 12/22

Marcive starts generating output file (3-5days): 12/27

GIL loads updated records into NZ: Jan 3rd-7th 2018

GIL Turns on nightly OCLC to Alma automated loads: January 9th

What is the purpose of Marcive Backfile Processing?

The purpose of the Marcive Authority Control Backfile Processing is to improve our records so that they are more discoverable. More specifically: MARCIVE is going to take our existing file of MARC bibliographic records and standardize:

• Name headings

• Series and uniform title headings

• Subject headings

• Genre headings

What is involved with executing the Marcive Backfile Processing project?

GIL will send our MARC records from Alma to Marcive. A sample set of bib records will be generated by Marcive by loading our entire database and selecting random records. Upon written approval of the sample data, they will process the entire database using the original data provided, correcting and adding the improvements mentioned above, and then send them back to us. GIL will then load these records back into Alma, overlaying the existing records. Marcive has about 30 days to finish this entire process.

How will the Marcive Backfile Processing project affect library staff workflows?

During the Marcive Backfile project, there is no need for changes to your workflows. Continue to make record changes in OCLC, but note that GIL is "pausing" the nightly OCLC to Alma updates, so your changes will be queued up and not be reflected in Alma until the loads are "unpaused" on January 8th. And note that you won't want to edit or delete Bib records in Alma, because after the Marcive Backfile project is done, all existing bib records will be overlaid with the records updated by Marcive. Editing of bib records should always be done in OCLC anyway as a matter of state-wide policy. Editing of local fields in your Alma Institution Zone can also continue as normal.

Which records are being sent to Marcive?

GIL is sending Marcive all records that contain an OCLC control number. Note that GIL will not include CZ records or suppressed records. Also note that any records that are solely in your Institution Zone will not be sent.

Who to contact with questions?

Please post any questions to gilcat@usg.edu (which will create a ticket in the catalog team libanswers system), or to the Inst-Leads listserv.