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6.3. Editing the Fixed Fields
Last Updated 02/27/2026
MARC Fixed Field Editor
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Evergreen relies on Fixed Field data for search filters and icons displayed in the OPAC. The Enhanced MARC Editor assists catalogers with encoding these fields accurately by providing suggested values using drop-down menus.
Fixed Fields affect searching and display for the record. The Type field is particularly important, as it affects both the format icons displayed in the OPAC and the item type search filters. Other fields which relate to search filters include Audn, Lang, Blvl, Form, Date1 and LitF.
For information about valid fixed field entries, see Appendix D: Fixed Fields (Leader and 008 Tags).
The fixed fields are displayed in two sections:
- As a grid at the top of the record
- In the LDR and the 008 field.
To Access the MARC Fixed Field Editor Right-Click Context Menu Options:
- Within the bibliographic record that needs to be edited, select Actions for this Record.
- Click MARC Edit.
- Make sure that the Flat-Text Editor checkbox is not selected and that you are not using the Flat-Text Editor interface.
- Right-click on the value control for the fixed field that needs to be edited.
- Select the appropriate value for the fixed field from the menu options.
- Continue editing the MARC record, as needed. Once you are finished editing the record, click Save Record.
Changing the values in the fixed fields will also update the appropriate position in the Leader or 008 Field and other applicable fields (such as the 006 Field).
MARC Editor users retain the option of leaving the fixed field value blank or entering special values (such as # or | ).
Note: Case matters. Codes in the fixed fields must be lowercase to function properly. For example, if the code in the DtSt field of the bib record is capitalized, the code isn't recognized and the year doesn't display correctly.
Navigating the Fixed Field Grid
You can use the tab key to navigate from field to field, or you can click on the box to enter the necessary information.
When a field is active, it will turn blue and what you type will appear in the box.
NOTE: If there is no 008 field in the record, that record is considered broken and you will be unable to save changes to the fixed fields. If this occurs, you can add the 008 field using the flat text editor explained in the section. Overlaying the record or merging it to another lead record with an 008 field will also solve the problem.