How to Write Alma Normalization Rules

Normalization rules are an important part of cataloging in Alma. They can be used to add, remove, or edit fields in bibliographic and holding records, in batch or on individual records. This presentation will describe how to read and write normalization rules for beginner and intermediate users. Topics will include: What is a normalization rule? What is it used for? What is the syntax of normalization rules? What are the basic commands? How do I put commands together to make new rules? How do I make a normalization process? For intermediate users, there will be tips for writing understandable rules, tricks to solve difficult problems, examples of useful rules, and gotchas where rules do things you don't expect. No programming experience is necessary for this session. At the end of the session, attendees will understand the basic syntax of normalization rules, how to interpret a normalization rule, and how to write normalization rules of moderate complexity.