FAQ

How do I prevent OCLC records from having errors with special or foreign characters in Alma?

All data in Alma is stored in a Unicode character set—specifically UTF-8. This ensures comprehensive support for foreign scripts and special characters. If the settings in your OCLC program are not configured properly, it will produce errors in diacritic characters in Alma. Here is an example:

To prevent this, you need to configure Connexion or WorldShare Record Manager to export records in MARC 21 with UTF-8.

Connexion

  1. In the Connexion client, go to Tools > Options.
  2. Go to the Export tab.
  3. Click Record Characteristics...
  4. "Record Standard" should be set to "MARC 21."
  5. Change the "Character Set" to UTF-8 Unicode.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Click OK.

WorldShare Record Manager

  1. In WorldShare, click the “Metadata” tab.
  2. Click on Record Manager.
  3. Click on User Preferences.
  4. Click on Exporting - Bibliographic Records.
  5. “Format” should be set to “MARC 21 with UTF-8 Unicode.”
  6. Click Save.

Metadata

Answered By:
Kristen Fredericksen
Last Updated:
2025-04-17
Views:
169

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