One of the biggest changes for most staff joining a library using Sitka’s Evergreen is the shared database and how it affects cataloguing.
We strive to have a single MARC record for each discrete title in the Sitka database that all libraries attach their items to. This means that edits to a MARC record have the potential to affect more than 100 libraries.
All staff catalouging, or responsible for cataloguers, should be familiar with Sitka’s cataloguing policy.
Item specific information that is often stored in the MARC record in standalone systems goes into the item record in Sitka’s Evergreen.
Library specific information in the MARC records needs to include a scoping subfield that contains your library code so Evergreen know which library the information pertains to.
Items catalogued in Sitka’s Evergreen are assigned a circulation modifier which Evergreen uses to determine how items should circulate, in conjunction with circulation and hold policies, and for reporting purposes. The circulation modifier list is a global list visible to all libraries; libraries choose a subset of the modifiers to use for their items. It’s important to know which modifiers are used at your library and for what type of items to ensure consistent circulation and statistical reporting.