Cataloging and Database Maintenance Workflow Testing in Aleph

Your Test libraries are available to you for additional Aleph testing, with the following caveats:

1. The bib/authority linking program problems have not been corrected by Ex Libris yet. The correction will most likely require installing a software fix, and during installation the server may not be available to you.
2. The bib/authority linking program problems may have caused your bib record headings to be modified. We don’t believe this to be the case, but if you notice any differences between the content of your 1xx, 6xx, 7xx, etc., bib fields in Aleph and NERCDEV1, please let us know.
3. The Aleph function that updates bib records when authority record changes are made (aka the authority record UPD = Y function) is not functioning on our servers. Ex Libris considers this an urgent problem and is working on a solution, but until the problem is solved it is not possible to test the updating of bib records from changes made to authority records. If the correction requires installing a software fix the server may not be available to you during installation.

Caveats aside, you may resume work with your Test libraries, and we encourage you to explore the following cataloging workflow issues:

1. Viewing your new Rls. 15.5 bibliographic XYZ index in the GUIOPAC to explore the following issues:

· The variations of index entries created from 6xx headings. You may want to edit bib 6xx fields to see the results.

· Comparing XYZ index entries to SUL and SUM index entries

· Comparing XYZ index entries in GUIOPAC to SUL and SUM index entries in the WebOPAC

2. Determine which Aleph Cataloging reports might be useful to you by reading the Help screens for each report in the Services menu (skip the Indexing reports section) as well as the “Services in Cataloging” and “Services, Notices, and Reports” sections of the 15.2 Cataloging Documentation.
3. Copying LC Resource file (LCA10) authority records into your own local authority library (UFU10, NFU10, WFU10) to get a feel for work flow options. (Try the Duplicate function from LCA10.)
4. Begin reviewing the default Cataloging messages in your libraries by selecting a bib record and using the check mark icon (Check record option) at the top of the screen. Note which messages are incorrect or are not useful.

Once the ability to update bib records from authority records is fixed you will be able to begin testing this function in your local authority files. In addition, the setup for downloading records from OCLC will be completed shortly for your testing.