Importing and exporting catalog records

Ambox notice.png This page refers to the Voyager ILS, an Ex Libris product used at the Folger from 1996 to 2022.

For current documentation on using the catalog, see Category:Catalog.
For current documentation on staff use of the ILS, see Category:TIND ILS.


This page contains instructions on moving catalog records between Connexion, Voyager, and/or MarcEdit. Before importing or exporting any records, make sure all your settings are properly configured in both Connexion and Voyager.

File formats

  • Voyager:
    • exports to "Work File" (i.e., local save file) as .bib
    • imports from .dat and .bib
  • Connexion:
    • local save file: .db (.bib.db, .auth.db, etc.)
    • exports as .dat
    • imports from .dat and .bib
  • MarcEdit:
    • can export to or import from .dat or .bib files
    • can transform .dat and .bib to or from .mrc or .mrk

Exporting from Voyager

  • Open the record you want to export in Voyager's Cataloging module.
  • Save the record (File > Save As, or Ctrl+A) into a .bib file. Do not use the Save shortcut button (an image of a blue floppy disk).
    • A dialog box will prompt you for a file name with .bib extension
    • You can save multiple records into a .bib file.

Exporting from Connexion

  • Open the record you want to export.
  • Export the record via the shortcut button (an image of an E with a green arrow pointing to the right), F5, or Action > Export. This will save the record in your default .dat file.
    • You can save multiple records into a .dat file.

Importing into Voyager

  • In the Cataloging module, navigate to Record > Import > From new file. This will open the Select Import File dialog box.
  • Select the .dat file you want to import, and click Open. Voyager should then show you a list of all records in the .dat file; select the records you want to import (they will be highlighted in blue), and click OK.
  • Review the record(s) imported, then save to the Voyager database by Record > Save to Database, Ctrl+B, or clicking the Save to DB shortcut button ("Boat it!").

Importing into Connexion

  • Navigate to File > Import Records. This will open the Import Records dialog box.
  • Select the .dat or .bib file you want to import, and the save file you want to import it to (probably your local save file). Click OK.
  • Connexion will import your record(s), confirm how many were imported successfully, and offer you the option to delete your original import file. Select Yes or No, close the Import Results report, and open the save file you selected above.

Detailed workflow: Finalizing record in connexion, exporting and importing record into Voyager

Ambox notice.png This article contains text copied from legacy files and may or may not reflect current information.

These instructions were migrated from the Sh.Col. project wiki.

Connexion

  • Validate (Shift + F5), and correct any issues -- if ‡5 DFo statement does not validate, delete ‡5 DFo
  • Action/Replace & Update
    • Note: if it is a NEW Master Record, go to Action/Holdings/Produce and Update
  • Search using keywords/date, not OCLC number, to retrieve Master
  • Export (F5) Master to .dat file
  • Delete any copy-specific headings or notes (‡5 DFo) in Master
  • Replace and Update records (Alt + F10) when any changes are made

Importing Records into Voyager

  • Go to Record/Import/From new file (Alt+R,P,N) [Note: if the file is already open, it will be (Alt+R, P, V)]
  • Open original Hamnet record (if one exists) Recommended: split the Voyager screen between the two records (Alt+W+T)
  • Copy the 583 field from the old record and paste it into the new in chronological order (older field comes first). Copy any 79X fields and any associated 852 $z
  • Copy new 035 field (ex: ‡a (OCoLC) ocm04926471) and paste into old record to overlay it; save to DB and close (Crtl+Q) old record
  • Highlight the 541, your 583, and the 852 and copy (Ctrl+C)
  • Save to DB (Crtl+B), click continue button, look for statement that overlay was successful
  • Open the holdings record (Alt+R+H) and paste (Ctrl+V) and then delete the old 852 except for those added by Acquisitions
  • Save the holdings record (Ctrl+B)
  • Open the item record (Alt+I+M) and review for item type accuracy
  • Save and close the item record
  • Check the record in Hamnet. Recommended: manual search by call number

Holdings and Item Records

  • Select Get Holdings for copy 1 (Alt+R,H)
  • Copy/paste the 852 field into holdings record, delete old 852 and any other fields present
  • Enter field 866 for records covering multi-volume sets
  • Go to Hamnet to review updated record