Customizing Templates for Copy and Original Cataloging in Alma
Scope: Describes the process for finding, editing, saving, and updating templates for use in copy and original cataloging
Contact: @Jessica Janecki @Rich Murray @Natalie Sommerville
Date last reviewed: Jun 4, 2024
Date of next review: Jul 12, 2024
Create a private customized template with Cataloger ID and OCLC overlay fields
Show the Metadata Editor (MDE)
In the record list, choose the “Templates” tab and open the “Shared” Templates sub-list under MARC21 Bib
Click on the needed template to open it for editing
Update $$a with your individual Netid
Dates do not automatically update and will need to be updated manually at the point of completing cataloging and/or daily/weekly/monthly in individual templates
IMPORTANT: OCLC number matching requires the presence of the prefix, (OCoLC), before the number. The 035 field in the template contains the text DELETE_IF_NOT_USED. Delete the whole field if it is not used.
Once the template has been edited for private use, go to the Save menu, and choose the “Save as Template”. Use the dialog box to name the template and to save it as a private template
Editing Private Templates
Catalogers may choose to edit dates in private templates daily, weekly, or monthly.
To do this, choose the “Templates” tab in the record list and open the “Private” sub-list
Right-click the desired template to open it for editing
Edit as needed and click “Save” on the menu bar
Alma will present a green message at the bottom of the screen when the template saves successfully