Home → Cataloging Bibliographic Records → Monograph Parts → Monograph Parts: the Basics

9.1. Monograph Parts: the Basics

Last Updated 02/17/2026

What are Monograph Parts?

On This Page

Evergreen includes functionality to allow libraries to break up single items into multiple parts that circulate seperately. This function, called Monograph Parts, is applied at the time of cataloging and catalogers must follow specific guidelines when applying it.

Monograph parts (also referred to as Monographic Parts or simply Parts) are a way for Evergreen to differentiate and provide patrons with more flexibility when placing holds on multi-part items encompassed by one title/bibliographic record. Monograph parts should be used for every holdable/circulating subset of items that do not represent the totality of the bibliographic record — such as different discs that are circulated separately within a video or audio title record or different magazine issues on a serial title record. Monograph parts labels are shared by all libraries in the consortium and should utilize NC Cardinal's controlled vocabulary.

Why do we need Monograph Parts?

While call numbers often include information about which pieces the item represents, call number information can vary widely from one library to another and has no effect on hold fulfillment in Evergreen. Applying monograph parts to different items on a bibliographic record allows Evergreen to identify which items represent the same parts (regardless of owning library).

Because each monograph parts label specifies which items are the same, patrons can place title-level holds for the parts they want and Evergreen will target any of the available barcode items with that exact part label to fulfill a patron's hold.

Applying Monograph Parts

A cataloger must apply a monograph parts label whenever published sets are split, such that barcoded items on the same bib record are for different subsets of material. This is particularly important if that record has holdable items and/or items owned by other libraries in the consortium. 

When making a decision about whether monograph parts should be applied to an item record, consider it from the patron’s perspective. Assuming all items are holdable on a given bibliographic record (and applies even if they’re not):

If a patron places a title hold on that bibliographic record, are they going to get the same content no matter which item on the bib record fills their hold?

• If they will, then monograph parts should not be applied.
• If not, then monograph parts are required to distinguish the content that is not the entirety of materials encompassed by the MARC record.

DO NOT use monograph parts when:

• a single barcode includes all the pieces of a set (e.g. for kits or all discs in a television season)
• all barcoded items on a bibliographic record for a single title are the same thing (e.g. a book record where each copy is essentially identical to every other item on the bib). If desired, use item# to distinguish different copies owned by the library.
• cataloging a different format from what is described in the bibliographic record (in this case, find/import/create the correct bib record)

Sharing Parts

Keep in mind that changes to monograph parts can impact all libraries in the consortium:

• All libraries share the parts labels on a single bibliographic record.
• Editing, merging, & deleting parts labels can affect all items (regardless of owning library).
• Use controlled vocabulary (below) when naming monograph parts.
• Items not designated with the appropriate monograph part label can fill resource sharing holds for Complete Set (making for unhappy patrons and wasteful shipping).