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MD Editor Warnings (MARC21 Bib Extensions)

Summary :

When a record is opened in Alma’s Metadata Editor, Alma checks the record for a variety of characteristics such as missing information, invalid information, duplicate records, and so forth. If an issue is found, it is presented as a warning at the bottom of the screen. These warnings are controlled in Alma configuration through extension packs, which are xml files that describe the use and function of each field in MARC21.


In addition to the out-of-the-box extension packs, the WRLC Network Zone has both added and edited several extension packs in an effort to minimize the number of incorrect warnings in the Metadata Editor. The extension packs in the WRLC NZ that have been edited from the out-of-the-box configuration are for MARC fields 082 and 590; the new extension packs that have been added to the WRLC NZ are for MARC fields 012, 019, 029, and 891.


Because this is configured in the Network Zone, it is only applicable to records linked to the Network Zone. If your institution would like to recreate these configurations for Institution Zone only records, the NZ settings would need to be recreated in your Institution Zone configuration.


Institution Zone Instructions

Use the following instructions below if you wish to recreate the NZ settings in your own IZ

User Roles Needed :


  • Catalog Administrator


Instructions : 

  1. Go to Configuration > Resources > Cataloging > Metadata Configuration

  2. Choose the MARC21 Bibliographic active profile

  3. On the Profile Details page, click Shared Extensions

  1. Download each of the extension packs contributed by 01WRLC_NETWORK. For each, an xml file will be saved to your Downloads folder in your computer.

  1. Download the extension pack for MARC field 029 (contributed by 01CSCU_WCSU). An xml file will be saved to your Downloads folder in your computer.

  2. Return to the Profile Details page, and click Add Extensions (to Institution)

  1. Upload one of the newly downloaded xml files, then click Add Extensions

  2. Repeat the steps above for each extension

  3. Return to the Profile Details page, and click the blue Deploy button at the top right-hand corner of the screen


Resources :




Posted 03/14/2023 by Jackie Saavedra (WRLC Network Zone Manager)

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