Table of Contents

Overlaying a Brief NOTIS Record by a Fuller Record

An existing bibliographic record in LTCU can be overlaid by the bibliographic portion of another record from LTCU or LTLC using the bibliographic overlay (BOVL) command. For example, a brief record in LTCU may be overlaid by a full LC record from LTLC.

BOVL may also be useful in merging duplicate records in LTCU. For example, an LTCU record with a poor record but many holdings may be overlaid by a better duplicate LTCU record with fewer holdings. Holdings and item records must still be transferred to the combined record and the duplicate record deleted, since the BOVL command affects only the bibliographic record of the overlaid record.

Overlay of an Existing Record (Target Record) with Another Record from LTLC or LTCU (Source Record)

• Carefully note the processing unit and ID number of the source record.
• Display the target record. If there is an NYCX or NYCO 035 field, record that number to be re-input after overlay.
• Verify that this is really the record to be overlaid. (There is no opportunity to cancel or clear the transaction once the command has been issued. If the incorrect record is overlaid, the original record has to be retyped, overlaid from RLIN, or recataloged.)
• If the bibliographic record is in use elsewhere, find and clear the displayed screen or wait until later to overlay the record. (The overlay will not be successful if someone enters updates to the original record before the displayed screen is cleared.)
• Press clear once. The target record ID displays on the command line. For example: LTCU BIBL ALP4236.
• Type BOVL over BIBL on the command line and a space, the ID of the source record, and the last two letters of the source processing unit (if it is different from the target processing unit). Type a space-bar space between the two ID numbers, even if you use arrow keys to move past the target ID.
• If you are overlaying from LTLC, don't forget the "lc" at the end, or you may get a completely different record with the same ID from LTCU. The correct command format is: [target processing unit] BOVL [target ID] [source ID] [last 2 letters of source processing unit]. For example: LTCU BOVL ALP4236 AET8513 lc.
• Proofread ID numbers and press [enter]. The system should display the message BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD TRANSFER SUCCESSFUL. If not, see Common Error Messages.
• Redisplay the target record. The command TERM may be used as a shortcut to redisplay the last search done, which is usually the search that was done to bring up the target record.
• If a second line, consisting of "\\\ DLC," appears in the fixed fields, tab to the DLC and press [erase end of field]. SAME or DONE the record, and that line should disappear.
• If necessary, re-input the NYCX or NYCO 035 field.
• If you have overlaid a duplicate record in LTCU
  • Transfer holdings and item records to the combined record.
  • Delete the source record.

Common Error Messages

• COMMAND NOT AUTHORIZED-If you confuse "source" and "target" and attempt to overlay an LTLC record, the transfer will not work because we are not authorized to update LTLC records.
• SOURCE RECORD NOT FOUND-There is no record with the specified ID in the source file. Check the ID number of the source record and try again.
• TARGET RECORD NOT FOUND-There is no record with the specified ID in the target processing unit. Display the target record and try again.

Table of Contents

Originally created: Searching/Fastcat Unit, March 1994 (CTS #5: BOVL)

Rev. 10/15/96 dih