Batch Update Alma Field by Barcode

This command line tool allows you to batch update a specific field in multiple Alma item records with a CSV file.

Requirements

1. Command line terminal environment
2. Python 3.x

To check your local Python version, run:

python --version

If your system is running Python 2.x (e.g., Python 2.7.16), check if Python 3 is installed, too:

python3 --version

The deployment instructions in the next section assume your system's python and pip commands use Python 3.x. If not, substitute python3 and pip3.)

Deploying the tool

The tool runs locally via terminal command line, so you'll need to clone the app to your machine:

git clone git@github.com:WRLC/alma_notes_import.git

Then create/start a Python virtual environment and install dependencies:

cd alma_notes_import
python -m virtualenv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt

You also need to copy the settings template so the tool will have all necessary information about your Alma environment:

cp settings.template.py settings.py

Edit settings.py to use your desired variables:

• ALMA_SERVER
  The base URL for your Alma API endpoint (e.g., 'https://api-na.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com').

• ALMA_API_KEY
  A read/write key for the Alma environment you wish to update.

• DESTINATION_FIELD
  The field in the item record that you want to update (e.g., 'internal_note_3').

You can change the values in settings.py anytime, so you're not locked into whatever you set now.

Finally, make sure the import.py script is executable:

chmod u+x import.py

CSV file

Your CSV file should contain only two columns:

1. Item barcode (for the item record you wish to update)
2. New field value (to insert into that item record)

The CSV file should NOT contain a header row. (If it does, you'll receive an error on the first row. However, all remaining rows will still be parsed.)

Using the tool

If it's not already active, activate the Python virtual environment you created during deployment:

source venv/bin/activate

Run the import.py command as an executable with your CSV file as the only argument:

./import.py /path/to/file.csv

As it's running, you'll be notified of any barcodes that either can't be retrieved from the barcode or can't be updated with the new field value.

When the tool finishes, it will provide a completion message:

Import complete. All submitted barcodes (except any errors listed above) have been updated in Alma.