[PADG:745] Re: barcodes on covers

[Michele Brown <mb72@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Cornell University recently examined the placement of barcodes on our 
circulating books. We opted to continue our current  practice of 
placing barcodes inside the book, on the first leaf at the upper 
right corner. The disadvantages of putting barcodes on the outside of 
the book covers are wear and tear of the barcodes (not a huge problem 
apparently), and disfigurement of the covers (a very big problem for 
some).  Since we continue to use date due slips (a practice preferred 
by most who were consulted from circulation), the books have to be 
opened at the time of circulation anyway. Also, opening the books at 
the time of circulation gives the staff a chance to check for damage, 
something student workers might forget to do.

However, for books going to the our storage facility, barcoding on 
the outside would be more practical and a real time-saver for the 
staff. It was suggested that the Annex facility purchase a small 
duplicate barcode printer for the Annex Library.  Kept at the Annex 
circulation desk, this piece of equipment will allow staff to create 
and affix a second barcode to the cover of those older materials that 
do continue to circulate and, consequently, reduce the impact of 
repeated inventory control scanning.

Not all books added to our circulating collection will end up at our 
high density storage facility, therefore we decided to maintain our 
current system so as not to, in effect, create a dual system in our 
circulating library.



Michele Brown
Book Conservator
Department of Preservation and Collection Maintenance
B-31 Olin Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-2484