Please note that when an IZ record is linked with a pre-existing NZ record, the NZ record metadata overlays the IZ record metadata; no merging occurs. The only metadata in the IZ record that merge into the NZ record are [local extensions](https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/100Managing_Multiple_Institutions_Using_a_Network_Zone/03_Managing_Records_in_Consortia/010Network-Managed_Records_in_a_Network_Zone#Adding_Local_Extensions_Using_the_MD_Editor).
#### Unlinking bibliographic records from the NZ 1. Open the NZ record in the Metadata Editor. If the record is linked to the Network Zone, an NZ icon will appear under the title of the item.[](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/linknz5.PNG) 2. Choose *Record Actions > Copy to Catalog.* [](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/linknz6.PNG)This will create two separate bibliographic records; one that is in your Institution Zone only, and one that is in the Network Zone. The NZ copy no longer has any affiliation with your IZ. Please follow WRLC policy to delete the remaining NZ record. 3. Your record is now unlinked from the NZ. A house icon will appear under the title of the item, signifying it is in the IZ only.[](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/linknz7.PNG) #### Linking & unlinking in batch You can both link and unlink records from the Network Zone in batch by running an Alma job on a set of bibliographic records; you must have the Catalog Manager or Catalog Administrator role. Below are the two jobs that you can run on a set: - ##### Link a set of records to the Network Zone > Link local records to records in the Network Zone. See [Copying and/or Linking Local and Network Zone Bibliographic Records](https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/100Managing_Multiple_Institutions_Using_a_Network_Zone/03_Managing_Records_in_Consortia/010Network-Managed_Records_in_a_Network_Zone#Copying_and.2For_Linking_Local_and_Network_Zone_Bibliographic_Records "Network-Managed Records in a Network Zone"). > > **Parameters:** > > Serial/Non Serial match method – To perform matching on the records, select one of the matching methods. See the matching parameters and options below. Leave these parameters blank to contribute all records to the Network Zone. > >| Parameter | Options |
|---|---|
| Serial match method | - 024 / 035 Match Method
> - 001 To MMS\_ID Match Method
> - ISSN Match Method (exact subfield match)
> - ISSN / 024 / 035 Match Method
> - ISSN (exact subfield match) / 024 /035 Match Method
> - Unique OCLC Identifier Match Method
> - ISSN Match Method
> - LCCN Serial Match Method
> - 035 (Other System Identifier) Match Method When you select this option, you may also specify a prefix (in the System Identifier Parameter) upon which to match records.
> - Fuzzy Serial Match Method
>
> |
| Non Serial match method | - 024 / 035 Match Method
> - 001 To MMS\_ID Match Method
> - ISBN Match Method (exact subfield match)
> - ISBN / 024 / 035 Match Method
> - ISBN (exact subfield match) / 024 /035 Match Method
> - Unique OCLC Identifier Match Method
> - ISBN Match Method
> - LCCN Match Method
> - 035 (Other System Identifier) Match Method When you select this option, you may also specify a prefix (in the System Identifier Parameter) upon which to match records.
> - Fuzzy Serial Match Method
>
> |
Please note that when an IZ record is linked with a pre-existing NZ record, the NZ record metadata overlays the IZ record metadata; no merging occurs. The only metadata in the IZ record that merge into the NZ record are [local extensions](https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/100Managing_Multiple_Institutions_Using_a_Network_Zone/03_Managing_Records_in_Consortia/010Network-Managed_Records_in_a_Network_Zone#Adding_Local_Extensions_Using_the_MD_Editor).
- ##### Unlink a set of records from the Network > Unlinks bibliographic records identified by a specified a set (All titles, Physical titles, Electronic titles, or Digital titles) from the Network Zone. > > This job takes no parameters.Unlinking records from the Network Zone creates two separate bibliographic records; one that is in your Institution Zone only, and one that is in the Network Zone. The NZ copy no longer has any affiliation with your IZ. Please follow WRLC policy to delete the remaining NZ record.
# How to create new bibliographic records in the Metadata Editor 1\. Open the Metadata Editor. 2\. Choose *Records* on the top left-hand corner, then choose *New > Placement Options.* [](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/newbib1.PNG) 3\. Choose the location of new records (whether IZ-only or liked to the NZ). Then click Save; this setting will be saved until you change the setting again. [](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/newbib2.PNG) 4\. Choose New > MARC21 Bibliographic > Books (Default) [](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/newbib3.PNG)Please note that the IZ and NZ icons next to the Books (Default) templates does NOT signify the location of the new record; the icon only signifies which template you are using - either the book template saved in the IZ, or the book template saved in the NZ.
The MARC21 Bib Book template in the NZ (the one with the NZ icon) is the out-of-the-box template from Alma. If you would like to see more about creating record templates in Alma, see the [Working with Record Templates](https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/Metadata_Management/014Navigating_the_Metadata_Editor_Page/030Working_with_Record_Templates) page.
5\. Edit the new record, then click *Save*. # How to merge bibliographic records Alma provides the ability to merge two bibliographic records in the Metadata Editor. This is helpful when catalogers identify duplicate records. For more information on duplicate records in the WRLC Network Zone, see the WRLC policy on [Bibliographic Utilities](https://alma.wrlc.org/books/resources-metadata/page/wrlc-network-zone-bibliographic-record-policies#bkmrk-bibliographic-utilit) and [Duplicate NZ Records](https://alma.wrlc.org/books/resources-metadata/page/wrlc-network-zone-bibliographic-record-policies#bkmrk-duplicate-nz-records). Please follow WRLC policy on [editing NZ records](https://alma.wrlc.org/books/resources-metadata/page/wrlc-network-zone-bibliographic-record-policies#bkmrk-editing-or-making-ch) when merging records linked to the Network Zone.You can merge two bibliographic records only when BOTH records are Institution Zone records, or BOTH are Network Zone records. You CANNOT merge an Institution Zone bib record with a Network Zone bib record. In this scenario, it would be better to [link the IZ record to the NZ record](https://alma.wrlc.org/books/resources-metadata/page/how-to-link-and-unlink-bibliographic-records-from-the-nz#bkmrk-linking-bibliographi).
--- 1\. Search for the duplicate titles in Alma. Push the bibliographic records to the Metadata Editor.[](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/merge1.PNG) 2\. Open the Metadata Editor. Now both records are listed on the left-hand side. 3\. First click on the primary record from the left-hand side. The record should now be open in the Metadata Editor.[](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/merge2.PNG)In this scenario, the primary record is the record with the LEAST COMPLETE metadata. For more information about primary and secondary records as they pertain to merging, please see the Knowledge Center page on [Primary Records](https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/Metadata_Management/016Working_with_Rules/030Working_with_Merge_Rules#Primary_Records).
4\. Then select the split-screen editor button, and open the secondary record. [](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/merge3.PNG) The secondary record should now be on the right-hand side of the screen, and the primary record should be on the left-hand side of the screen. 5\. Choose *Record Actions > Merge & Combine[](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/merge5.PNG)* 6\. In the pop-up window, choose the WRLC ***CONSORTIUM NZ / IZ Overlay all fields but local for Integration Profile, Import Profile, Combine and Merge Inventory*** merge routine. You can either *Show Merge Preview*, or go ahead with the merge by clicking *OK*.[](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/merge6.PNG) This specific merge routine replaces the primary record (the one with the least complete metadata) with the secondary record, save for a few fields. For more information on this merge routine, please see the [WRLC Merge Rules](https://alma.wrlc.org/books/resources-metadata/page/merge-rules#bkmrk-3.-when-merging-two-) page. 7\. Both records have now been merged. All inventory (holdings and item records) has been combined and attached to the newly merged record.[](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-11/merge7.PNG) # 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. [](https://alma-documentation-bookstack.azurewebsites.net/uploads/images/gallery/2024-08/local-extension-1.PNG) 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, import profile, or MARCedit. #### 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. This will result in a false "local" field that is actually viewable by all institutions.
#### Adding local extensions via normalization rule / import profile / MARCedit Local extensions can be added in batch to NZ-linked records using a normalization rule, an import profile, or MARCedit 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 by any method
#### Resources [Alma Knowledge Center > Adding Local Extensions to Bibliographic Records in the Network Zone](https://alma.wrlc.org/Product_Documentation) [Alma Knowledge Center > Working with Normalization Rules](https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Documentation/010Alma_Online_Help_(English)/Metadata_Management/016Working_with_Rules/020Working_with_Normalization_Rules)