Importing call numbers via CSV file

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Importing call numbers via CSV file

1chriswebb
Jul 20, 2020, 7:24 pm

I volunteer at the very small library of our local horticulture centre. We currently have our 2800 title catalogue in Readerware and are looking at other options, including LibraryThing/TinyCat.

I've been looking at LibraryThing's import function. Unfortunately the link to the page that has the sample CSV file is broken, so I haven't been able to look at the file, but I've read the more general import help page at https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/HelpThing:Import.

It says that custom call numbers are now a field that can be imported via a CSV file, but I'm not clear whether I would have to somehow omit the ISBN from the CSV file if I want to import our call numbers...the section of the page re "What information can be imported from CSV files?" doesn't say under what circumstance call numbers will be imported.

Also, if someone can provide a copy of or link to the sample CSV file, that would be great!

Thanks for your help.

2gilroy
Jul 21, 2020, 6:11 am

This is how the header lays out in the CSV File now:
'TITLE',"'AUTHOR (last, first)'",'DATE','ISBN',"'PUBLICATION INFO'",'TAGS','RATING','REVIEW',"'DATE READ'","'PAGE COUNT'","'CALL NUMBER'"
It must be matched exactly.

If you want to import your own details, you make the ISBN column blank. It must still exist, but is left blank. Then it uploads your details instead of searching sources.

3chriswebb
Ago 21, 2020, 4:37 pm

Thanks.
Just to makes sure I'm clear, I guess this means if we want to import our 2800 existing records "as is", we'll need to go in and add the ISBNs back to the records, post-import?

4gilroy
Ago 21, 2020, 6:41 pm

Yup

5lorax
Oct 1, 2020, 10:47 am

Correct. The Universal Import isn't universal and it's barely an import.