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3.5. What Are Item Attributes?

Last Updated 01/09/2026

Item Attributes: an Overview

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Item Attributes help Evergreen know how an item should behave. They include information related to the item's location and how it should circulate or fulfill holds.

Item attributes are the metadata attached to the copy record. They determine how the item behaves in Evergreen, and are used in conjunction with other data to determine where to find an item, how it will circulate, and if it is available to fulfill holds. Item Attributes are applied or edited in the Holdings Editor.

Any time you apply or change an attribute, the changed field will turn green.

To apply attributes:

1. Click the attribute name.
2. Perform the relevant action (click a radio button, select a list option, or open a pop-up box).
3. Click Apply All & Save.

Note: You don't need to click Apply on each attribute you save. The Apply All & Save button will apply any edited attributes. However, fields will not turn green until you have clicked the individual apply buttons, so it may be helpful to click Apply each time you change an attribute.

Default Attributes

The following attributes are set by default when cataloging a new item. Any of them may be changed as needed. If they are not changed, they will be saved as part of the Item record.

• Status:  In Process (some libraries may choose a different default)
• Shelving Location: Stacks (CARDINAL)
• Circulating Library: Matches your workstation's working location
• Owning Library: Matches your workstation's working location
• Can Circulate?:  Yes
• Is Holdable?: Yes
• Loan Duration: Normal
• Fine Level: Normal
• OPAC Visible?: Yes
• Is Reference?: No
• Is Deposit Required?: No
• Deposit Amount: $0.00
• Price: $0.00
• Is Mint Condition: Good

Automatic Attributes

The follow attributes may not be set manually, but are set based on other input.

• Barcode: Created at the Holdings level and may be changed using the Replace Barcode feature.
• Creation Date: Set based on the time the holding is first created.
• Active Date: Set based on the time the Save button is clicked for the first time.
• Creator: Set based on the user who created the holding record.
• Last Edit Date: Set and re-set each time the Apply All & Save button is clicked.
• Last Editor: Set based on the user who makes changes to the Item Record.