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1.2. Item Cataloging Assessments

Last Updated 01/06/2026

Required Assessments for Item Cataloging Permission 

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Staff who will be doing any copy/item cataloging need to have Item Cataloging permissions. In order to be granted Item Cataloging permissions, catalogers must pass an assessment. The assessment covers questions related to NC Cardinal standards, identifying the correct MARC fields to use for different aspects of a record, and matching items to the correct bibliographic records.

Before you can begin work as a cataloger, you will need to pass an assessment and be granted Item Cataloging permissions. You can find the assessment in the NC Cardinal Niche Academy.

What Can You Do with Item Cataloger Permissions?

Item Catalogers assist in the cataloging process and manage local holdings. After passing the Item Cataloging Assessment, they can:

• Attach holdings to and remove holdings from existing bibliographic records
• Edit call number and item level data
• Create and edit monographic parts

What Does the Assessment Cover?

The Item Cataloging Assessment is the first in a set of embedded assessments meant to check your knowledge of NC Cardinal cataloging standards and best practices. Many of these standards are specific to NC Cardinal policy, and do not necessarily reflect current international standards for Cataloging as outlined in RDA!

The assessment is divided into three sections:

1. Multiple Choice
2. Matching Fields
3. Evaluating Records

For the Multiple Choice, you will be asked a series of questions related to NC Cardinal standards, and the responsibilities assigned to Item Catalogers. For the Matching Fields, you will answer questions about RDA, and identify the correct MARC fields to use for different aspects of a record. For Evaluating Records, you will have access to a separate document containing images of resources and corresponding MARC records. You will need to choose the appropriate record to go with the item.

To pass, you will need to achieve a minimum score of 95% in each individual section. You may take the assessment as many times as necessary.

When Will Permissions Be Assigned?

After passing, you can expect to have your permissions updated within a week. If you need permissions updated sooner, or it has been a week and your permissions have not changed, please submit a help ticket.

Note: You must already have a staff login account in order to be granted Item Cataloger permissions. If you do not yet have a staff login account, please reach out to your library's System Login Access Manager (SLAM) and request this account before you take the assessment.