Correct barcode placement is important for physically protecting our collection and allowing our staff to easily conduct their duties.
General Rules of Placement:
Before placing the barcode, make sure you are turned to the inside back cover of the book. If the book has a cover that is completely removable, you want to be sure you do not place the barcode on it. After finding the inside back cover of the book, follow these rules:
The barcode should always be placed as straight as possible. If you cannot place the barcode in the top right corner without covering unique information, you may place it in a different spot that is as close to it as possible. The barcode should be easily scannable by Access Services personnel.
Detached Barcodes:
If you are unsure of where to place the barcode, consult the Labeler or a Cataloger, or use a detached barcode until a Cataloger processes the book.
Always use a detached barcode for Specials materials.
Detached barcodes are scanned into the item record as normal, but should be placed on a piece of wax paper reused from spent barcode sheets rather than inside the book. Staple the wax paper to a flag and place the flag in the book (make sure the staple is not inside the book).
Exceptions:
Some books have unusual inside covers or other exceptions. Here are some common peculiarities:
Flaps - Some books have flaps that fold over from the back cover. Place the barcode on top of the flap, rather than beneath it.
Pockets - If there are supplements within a pocket that extends to the upper right corner, place the barcode on top of the pocket as close to the top right corner as possible. Make sure you do not cover the pocket opening.
Loose items - If a book comes with loose supplements that will require a pocket to be placed in the back, (for larger items like maps, rather than small slips of errata), use a detached barcode.
Covers with artistic value - Look out for book covers that may have artistic and/or intrinsic value to the book and therefore are likely to be kept. Use a detached barcode for these.
If you are ever in doubt about where to place the barcode, use a detached barcode and allow the Cataloger to make the final decision.
Examples:
Regular Barcode Placement
A book with an attached flap
Two alternative barcode placements
A detached barcode with flag
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