Getting started
Grab your book and scan the ISBN barcode into the general search bar in Connexion. You may get a list of results, in that case it may be easiest to sort them by language to see what you have. Generally, if the is a LOC record (indicated by the D in the L field) that is most likely the best record. If there is no LOC record, check each eng one and see which one has the most holdings and is the most complete. Ebooks may show up in this seach, so make sure you are working with the print record. Now that our holdings are being matched up in OCLC, you may see that the record is listed as being Held by us. This may not always be on the best record. If you decide that the held record is not the best record/match then you will need to follow the instructions linked below for maintaining our holdings correctly.
Comparing book in hand with Connexion records, start with your title page and then the verso of title page or colophon in the back.
Most books will be straight forward, but it is good to be familiar with the major differences between books and records to know when a record is a match or if a new record is needed: https://www.oclc.org/bibformats/en/input.html
If the publisher is different from what is on the title page, but still matches a different "level" of the publisher that is included in the publication statement on tp verso or colophon, it may have just been a poor choice of publisher by the cataloger as opposed to a different edition of the book.(In colophon above, someone may have used Roaring Brook Press or even Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership.) Further investigation may be needed. If the publisher does not match at all, you need to find another record or create a new one as that is a major difference.
If you are working with a first edition and the record does not specifically state "first edition" that is not considered a different book, as it may have just been left off the record. If there is any other edition statement that is in your book but not indicated on the record, you will need to find another record or create a new one. If a record has any other edition statement besides a first edition and your book does not, then you need a different or new record. Different printings of an edition should all be on the same record for that edition, unless the printing statement indicates a revision or updating has occurred. (You can record any general printing statements in the Alma holding record in field 562 $$c.)
If there is a difference in page numbers greater than 3 pages, then a different or new record is most likely needed. If there is a difference in the height of the book, greater than 2 cm, then a different or new record is most likely needed.
Checking uncontrolled and controlled names in Connexion records
If the uncontrolled name is unique or a well known author the fastest way to check is to click on the line with the heading and then right click and choose the "control single heading" option. A window with the name will pop up and if there is a match it will be hyperlinked. Open the hyperlink and check the authority record, which will pop up in another window. If the information matches your person, close the authority record window and select "insert record" on the first pop up.
The heading will now be controlled in the record. Check the record for any other possible edits and then save your changes using "replace record" from the Action menu.
If the name is not for a well known author and not unique or if you do not see a match using the above method, perform a search in the name authorities to see if there is a match. The control headings option will only show you headings that match exactly what is typed in the record and will not show variations. Either press Shift + F2 or go to the Authorities menu and choose "search" and then "LC names and Subjects." If there are multiple matches look through to see if any match your person.
Just because a record has a controlled name heading, it does not mean the correct name was chosen. In the record in screenshots above the author's name was controlled as "Sinclair, Hugh". After checking the authority record, it was very clear this was not the same person as the author of the book. His correct controlled name is Sinclair, Hugh $$q (Hugh A.). To fix a mismatched controlled name, you can uncontrol a controlled heading the same way you controlled it by right clicking on the name and choosing "uncontrol single heading." Then copy the correct name from the authority file and replace the incorrect name. Then proceed to control that heading by using the right click menu. Don't forget to "replace record" to save your changes. If it is a locked PCC record, please report the error and provide the information for the correct name using the Connexion Users Resource Page.
Text for holdings fields while macros are not functional
563 Binding statements
The $$5 sch is not necessary now, but can still be included.
563_ _$$a Bound in original [color] cloth. $$5 sch
563_ _$$a Bound in original [color] boards; in dust jacket as issued. $$5 sch
563_ _ $$a Bound in original [color] cloth; in dust jacket as issued. $$5 sch
563_ _$$a Bound in original color illustrated boards. $$5 sch
563_ _$$a Bound in original color illustrated paper covers. $$5 sch
563_ _$$a Bound in original paper covers. $$5 sch
583 Housing statements
Colibri
5830_$$3 cover $$a housed $$c 20210330 $$x Colibri $$2 pda $$5 sch
Dust jacket
5830_$$3 dust jacket $$a housed $$c 20210330 $$x polyester film $$2 pda $$5 sch
Envelope
5830_$$a housed $$c 20210330 $$i envelope $$2 pda $$5 sch
Ziplock
5830_$$a housed $$c 20210330 $$z polyethylene zip lock bag with stiffener $$x Gaylord $$2 pda $$5 sch583
CMI
5830_$$a housed $$c 20210330 $$i box $$x CMI $$2 pda $$5 sch
920 Cataloging Statistics field
92011$$a type of cataloging $$d Ttile cataloged date (yyyymmdd) $$e SL $$f six character net id (what your 3 letter/3 number computer user is)
example:
92011$$a ce $$d 20210330 $$e SL $$f abc123
Common codes for copy cataloging GOBI books
cc = Copy/clean cataloging – no edits (do not use this if there are any other holdings on the record, use la or ca instead)
se = Copy/simple edits (things like controlling a name that was already correct, fixing a typo, or any of the 008 fields)
ce = Copy/complex edits (things like correcting a name, adding subject heading or form/genre heading)
la = LOC ie HOL added to existing record in Aleph
ca = copy added (i.e. an additional Schlesinger copy)
va = vol. added (to an already cataloged HOL)
Useful internal and external links for frequent use
Instructions if Alma bib was not best option and our holding is attached to that record in OCLC:
OCLC Data Sync: Maintaining Holdings in WorldCat
Instructions for reporting errors on PCC records (ones you cannot edit) and reporting duplicates (book format only)
OCLC info on what justifies a new record
https://www.oclc.org/bibformats/en/input.html