Primo VE Dedup and FRBR

Revised: June 25, 2021

By default, Primo VE performs record deduplication and record FRBR-ization when displaying search results. FRBR is the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records published by the IFLA Study Group on the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records.

It is HIGHLY recommended you first review the "Best Practices for Testing Configuration Changes" section at the end of this page before you make any changes to configuration.

Configuring Dedup and FRBR Display Options

Records are evaluated for duplicates and FRBR and grouped together for display in results. Records that have been deduplicated and grouped will not be obvious in search results, but you can use the Dedup and FRBR Test Utility to reveal them. Records that have been grouped according to FRBR will appear with the indication "N versions found. See all versions >" as a single entry in the initial search results, and then the user can click into this entry to see all of the versions.

Role Needed: Discovery Admin

The Dedup and FRBR setting are configured per View in:

Alma Configuration > Discovery > Display Configuration > Configure Views > Edit the View > Brief Results tab

CARLI Recommendations for the "Dedup and FRBR" section:

• Sort FRBR Version list by: Date – newest
• Define FRBR display for local records: Generic
• Enable FRBR checked - CARLI recognizes that some I-Share institutions have decided to turn this option off.
• Enable Dedup checked - CARLI recognizes that some I-Share institutions have decided to turn this option off.

CARLI Recommendations for the "Criteria for DEDUP preferred record" section:

• Criteria for the DEDUP preferred record: When a dedup group includes both physical bibs and electronic bibs, the default is None, which displays the record with the highest rank in relation to the search according to Primo VE’s algorithms as the record for the dedup group. You can choose here if you would prefer to always show your users the physical bib or the electronic bib. To choose the physical bib over the electronic bib, choose ALMA-P; or to show your users the electronic bib over physical bib, choose ALMA-E.

Important Notes

• These settings are within an individual Primo VE View, so these can be tested using a TEST VIEW. This is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
• Changes to Dedup and FRBR settings will take effect immediately.

Additional Resources

• Ex Libris documentation on Configuring FRBR/Dedup Display Options
• Ex Libris documentation on Understanding the Dedup and FRBR Processes
• Ex Libris Primo VE - Become an Expert Webinar on Deduplication and FRBR, April 8, 2021

Best Practices for Testing Configuration Changes

Before you make any changes to Primo VE configurations:

• Identify several example searches in Primo VE to serve as your baseline of how things work now.  
  • If possible, use known searches that you are already familiar with.
  • Document the behavior of the example searches.
    • Copy the URLs of the search results page
    • Take screenshots of Alma settings screens or Primo VE results
    • Record a short video of yourself doing the search
• Reach out at your institution to stakeholders who may have encountered issues with search results, may have suggestions about these behaviors, or will be affected if changes are made.

When testing:

• Test one small change at a time.
• After you make a change, use a new Private browser window to perform the search again in order to avoid caching. 
• Document what you change or try as you go, noting the effects on the search results of the example searches you identified beforehand.
• Consider small group testing with other stakeholders at your institution.

Once you’ve decided to implement a change in production:

• Document the change, the date, and the rationale for the change. Future You will thank Past You!
• Share information on the change(s) with other stakeholders at your institution as appropriate.