Use this option to refresh bibliographic records currently in your catalogue with fresh MARC21 data from a chosen source. The import file will most likely be created locally by exporting a CSV file from your your catalogue. 


There are a number of different configuration options you must choose when importing CSV files. The configuration options you choose determine the file requirements that must be met, including mandatory and optional data required for each record. Once you have chosen your import settings you should clickto check file specifications required for your chosen settings.


Create CSV Import File


Go to: Reports > Catalogue > Bibliographic Records

  1. Generate a list of bibliographic records to refresh.
  2. - export records to CSV. Note: You will have to schedule an overnight task if more than 1,000 records are being exported.
  3. Using Excel, edit the exported CSV file to remove all data columns except ISBN.
  4. Save this candidate file to use as the import file.


Import CSV Candidate File


Go to: Cataloguing > Imports > CSV

  1. Choose Import Format:
    1. Comma Separated (CSV) - choose this for files in CSV format. Note: CSV is recommended.
    2. Tab Separated (TSV) - choose this for files in Tab Separated format.
  2. - locate the candidate import file.
  3. Set CSV Content:
    1. Catalogue Only - your file only contains bibliographic data for books.below.
  4. Holdings Grouped By is not available.
  5.  Existing ISBN/ISSN Treatment:
    1. Overwrite Existing Catalogue Record - if an ISBN/ISSN match is detected, overwrite the existing record with either data from the data source, i.e., the import file or the MARC21 data source (refer to Auto-Populate by ISBN below). Note: The title and media_type columns headers must be present in the CSV but the values for each isbn can empty, and any locally added metadata, e.g., local subject headings or genre, will be purged and replaced with data from the data source.
  6. Add Copy For New Records:
    1. No - do not create a holdings record.
  7. Auto-Populate by ISBN:
    1. If the message There are no z39.50 servers configured for cataloguing which support the ISBN use attribute is displayed and you want to auto-populate imported bibliographic records you must ensure the Z39.50 serve you intend to use is configured to check ISBN and ISSN in Configure > Integration > Z39.50 > edit Z39.50 server.
    2. - auto-populate the records in the catalogue with MARC21 data from the selected Z39.50 server. Note: The ISBN in the import file will be used to populate the bibliographic record.
  8. Z39.50 - use this data source for MARC21 updates. Note: This option is only available if Auto-Populate by ISBN is switched.
  9. Read Current Import Behaviour panel carefully to ensure the imported records will be allocated as you expect. Note: This is a generic message applying to all CSV imports that uses library language for all media type and dynamically draws its content from the current values on this page and the configuration settings in Configure > Settings > General.
  10. Batch and Rating Limit - these values should be left as default unless timing issues cause the Z39.50 import to fail.
  11. Choose:
    1. - proceed with the import. Note: This process imports the file and saves the new records immediately and cannot be easily reversed.
    2. - test the file to check for major errors. Note: This process simulates all aspects of the import without saving any data and potentially polluting your catalogue, allowing you to test the outcome of a normal import and offers the opportunity to correct reported data failures.


A summary report will display the results of the processing.