Authority Control in Alma

Last updated: February 19, 2025

One of the strengths of Alma's network model is the ability to provide both centralized and distributed authority control. Centralized aspects include having access to several controlled vocabularies and thesauri to all members through the Alma Community Zone, and having routine maintenance jobs performed on shared Network Zone bib records. Distributed access includes the option for libraries to maintain local authorities within their own Institution Zones. This page provides an overview of authority control options provided for I-Share members.

Thesauri Provided via Alma Community Zone

Ex Libris provides authority records for 57 controlled vocabularies in the Alma Community Zone (CZ). These include the following thesauri that I-Share members have used in the past:

**Thesauri in Common Use Among I-Share Libraries**
Authority Vocabulary	Authority Code	Active in Alma
Library of Congress Name Authorities	LCNAMES	Alma CZ
Library of Congress Subject Headings	LCSH	Alma CZ
Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms	LCGFT	Alma CZ
Library of Congress Demographic Group Terms	LCDGT	Alma CZ
Library of Congress Childrens Subject Headings	LCSHKIDS	Alma CZ
National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings	MESH	Alma CZ
Guidelines on Subject Access to Individual Works of Fiction, Drama, Etc.	GSAFD	Alma CZ
Faceted Application of Subject Terminology	FAST	Alma CZ

If your institution uses another vocabulary not listed here or in Ex Libris' vocabulary list, you may have that loaded to your institution zone. CARLI will be testing options for including shared authorities in the Network Zone as well.

Additional Controlled Vocabularies of INterest

Chicago Collections Cooperative Controlled Vocabularies

Rare Books and Manuscripts Controlled Vocabulary (RBMS CV)

Sears List of Subject Headings

RDA Registry

Including Local Authority Records in Your Institution Zone

Ex Libris has enabled your Institution Zone for local authorities using the LCNAMES, LCSH, and MESH vocabularies. You may

Notify CARLI which types of authority records you may be saving locally. If you need to create a new local vocabulary, CARLI staff will help you create the local authority definition.