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Best practices for local extensions (local fields) in NZ-linked records

Local extensions are local fields that can be added to NZ-linked bibliographic records. These fields are marked by a house icon in Alma. 

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Specifically, you can enter local information in the MARC 21 77X/78X, 09X, 59X, 69X, and 9XX fields.

The fields only appear to your specific Institution Zone; they do not appear when other institutions are viewing the NZ record. 

Local extensions can be added to NZ-linked records either in the Metadata Editor, or in batch via a normalization rule.

 

Adding local extensions in the Metadata Editor

After opening an NZ-linked record in the Metadata Editor, choose Editing actions > Add local extension to enter a local extension in the bibliographic record.

Although not visible in the Metadata Editor, please note that the $$9 local subfield is automatically created and stored in the cached record. This subfield will appear in the local extension when exporting the MARC record from Alma.

A local extension should NOT be added to a record using the Editing Actions > Add field function, and then adding a $$9 local to the field. The WRLC Network Zone has been configured to prevent this from occurring.

 

Adding local extensions via a normalization rule

Local extensions can be added in batch to NZ-linked records using a normalization rule, as long as it follows these guidelines

  • Can only be a 77X/78X, 09X, 59X, 69X, or 9XX field
  • Must add a $$9 local (although not visible in Alma, the $$9 local subfield is stored in the cached record)

Non-local fields (those without a $$9 local) CANNOT be added to NZ bibliographic records in batch in an Institution Zone.

 

Resources

Alma Knowledge Center > Adding Local Extensions to Bibliographic Records in the Network Zone

Alma Knowledge Center > Working with Normalization Rules