def normalize_weights_dictionary(weights_dict):
    """
    Normalizes weights provided as values in passed weight_dict so that 
    the sum of the weights equals 1.

    Arguments
    ----------    
    weights_dict: a dictionary containing the columns to be included in the weighted sum 
    as keys, and the associated values as values
    
    Returns
    ------
    A copy of weights_dict that has been normalized
           
    """   
    
    return {key: value/sum(weights_dict.values()) for key, value in weights_dict.items()}