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Version: 26.0.33

Import MARC21 Records

Use MARC21 import to bring bibliographic records from another catalog into CodeAchi Libcodesk - Easy Library Management Software. This workflow is available in Libcodesk WebApp and the Standalone app with a Cloud setup or Local setup.

Before you start​

  • Your account needs collection import permission for the destination library, and your plan must include MARC support and bulk import. Ask your organization admin if the action is unavailable.
  • Choose the destination library and material type. Check that your collection allowance has room for the new records.
  • Keep an unchanged copy of the original file. Supported formats are ISO2709 MARC files and MARCXML, including files containing several records. ISO2709 supports UTF-8 and MARC-8 text; MARCXML uses UTF-8.
  • MARC import creates catalog records with zero copies. It does not invent accession numbers, barcodes, RFID values, or inventory quantities. Existing catalog records are skipped, not overwritten or merged.

For CSV, spreadsheet, or ordinary JSON files, use Import Collection Items instead.

Review and import​

  1. Open Collection Manager > Collections and choose MARC21 import. For journals, magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals, open Periodicals and use its separate MARC import action.
  2. Select Library, Material type, and MARC file. Choose Prepare preview and wait for the whole file to be checked.
  3. Review the titles, record statuses, and warnings. The preview shows up to 25 records per page; use the previous and next controls to review further records.
  4. Choose MARC details from the row action menu in Libcodesk WebApp, or from the record card in the Standalone app. Inspect the original tags, indicators, and repeated subfields. Some source content may remain in these details because it has no matching ordinary catalog field.
  5. Read the confirmation about creating catalog records without copies or overwrites, then select its checkbox and choose Import records.
  6. Keep the dialog open while progress updates. Check the imported, duplicate, and failed counts. Use Download import report to save all record outcomes, including warnings and errors.

After importing, open the collection record and add physical copies through the normal copy workflow when needed.

Correct problems or stop​

A record failed: inspect its details and import report. Correct missing titles, invalid record content, or values that exceed a catalog field's supported length in your source catalog, then export a corrected file and prepare a new preview. Authority records, holdings records, and deletion instructions are not bibliographic imports and do not change inventory.

The file cannot be fully read: correct or export the file again. A broken file structure prevents confirmation, even if some earlier records were readable. Renaming a file does not convert its format or encoding.

A warning appears: review the original value. For example, an uncertain publication statement may be preserved in MARC details instead of being turned into a guessed year. Warnings do not automatically mean the record is unusable.

The connection is interrupted: keep the dialog open and use Resume import when offered. If you start a corrected import later, records already present are skipped.

You need to stop: choose Stop import. Records already imported remain in the catalog; stopping does not undo them.

On a phone or narrow window, scroll the dialog body. In Libcodesk WebApp, scroll the preview table sideways to reach all columns and row actions. In the Standalone app, scroll through the record cards. The workflow also supports keyboard navigation.

Do and don't​

Do review the destination library, material type, and source warnings before confirmation. Don't treat a MARC record as proof that a physical copy exists, or use this import to replace manually edited catalog data.

Frequently asked questions​

Can I import repeated MARC fields?

Yes. The original repeated content is retained in MARC details, while supported information is shown in ordinary catalog fields.

Will a duplicate change my existing record?

No. Existing records and their manual edits remain unchanged.

Does Local setup send my file to the Cloud setup?

No. Import into the setup where you are working; a Local setup does not automatically transfer its catalog to a Cloud setup.

Screenshot to add

Desktop WebApp preview with a warning and MARC details, plus the Standalone app's mobile record cards and import confirmation.