barcode placement

[Andrew Hart <ashart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have been discussing barcoding practices with our catalogers recently
and could use some feedback from this list.  In particular, we are
concerned about barcoding fragile and/or medium-rare materials -- the
stuff that doesn't merit transfer to special collections, but still has
some artifactual value.  When fragile or valuable materials are in
enclosures we barcode the enclosure rather than the book or pamphlet. 
Materials without enclosures, such as a 19th century volume that is
brittle but otherwise in good shape, are more difficult to deal with. 

In 1990 Janet Gertz posted a message to the DistList that probably
provides the most common response:  "Frankly, I dont know of a good place
for a barcode." All the same, I am interested in hearing if other
libraries place barcodes on brittle, fragile, or valuable materials in
general collections and, if so, where. 

Andy.

==================================================
 Andrew Hart, Preservation Librarian
 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
 CB#3918, Davis Library
 Chapel Hill, NC 27514
 tel: (919) 962-8047
 fax: (919) 962-4450
 email: ashart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
==================================================