This document details where to place the barcode on various kinds of media.
The purpose of barcoding is to provide a unique, scannable, searchable identifier that links a physical object to an electronic record. For this link to work, a barcode must be physically attached to the object in question, and the barcode itself must be entered into the Barcode field in the item record.
Although a barcode is a unique link to a single item record, it may "represent" more than a single object. Circulation is alerted to the extent of the object by an entry in the Message field of the item record (e.g. "Text & map," "Text & 2 microfiches," "Text and 2 diskettes," "Disc & text," "Score & 5 parts," "Cassette & text & 2 steel ball-bearings").
Most Library materials receive a single, permanent barcode at the point of receipt.
These are used whenever the final location of the barcode may differ from its initial location, for example:
For items on which the initial and final barcode locations will differ, the use of piggyback barcodes is preferred, because of the risk of losing an unattached permanent barcode. However, as some items would be degraded by attaching a piggyback barcode, the attachment of a permanent barcode may be postponed. In such cases the permanent barcode (with its backing paper intact) may be securely paper-clipped to the routing slip, or to an appropriate part of the item, for attachment later. The barcode should, of course, still be entered into the Barcode field in the item record. Candidates for this treatment include:
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General Collections: Place the barcode on the inside back cover, centered along the top edge, taking care not to obscure any important printed information. |
| Arabic language books: Place the barcode on the inside back cover, centered along the top edge, following the same procedure used for General Collections materials. |  |
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East Asian Collection books: Place the barcode on the inside back cover, centered
along the top edge, following the same procedure used for General Collections
materials. For items without covers, place the barcode on the last page, centered along the top edge, taking care not to obscure any important printed information. |
| Hebrew language books: Place the barcode on the inside back cover, centered along the top edge, following the same procedure used for General Collections materials. |  |
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Brown Theses and Dissertations: Theses and dissertations arrive in Cataloging as stacks of leaves (separate pages printed on one side only). Copy 1 is a non-circulating copy and is not barcoded. Copy 2 is a circulating copy: place the barcode on the verso of the last leaf, centered along the top edge. |
Fascicles: Fascicles are treated the same as unbound periodicals; they are kept track of on the checkin card until binding.
Special Collections: Special collections materials are not barcoded. However, if an item with a barcode is being transferred from general collections to special collections, do not remove the barcode.
If the CD-ROM comes in a container which is durable and suitable for shelving, the box is retained. Place the barcode in the upper left corner of the container, parallel to the spine.
CD-ROMs in jewel cases tend to get lost on shelving designed for books, and so are repackaged. If a CD-ROM comes in a jewel case with no other outer container, or in a container which is not durable, input the barcode data in the item record and clip the permanent barcode securely to the routing flag (or use a piggyback barcode). The Bindery staff will rehouse the CD-Rom in a Tyvek envelope within a pamphlet binder to which the barcode will be permanently attached. Barcode only those texts which are external to the original container.
| CD-ROMs that accompany a book or a serial volume: If a CD-ROM accompanies a book, place a barcode in the book only. Include a message in the item record: "Text & CD-ROM" |  |
If the book and the CD-ROM come in a box which is durable and suitable for shelving, place the barcode on the upper left side of the front of the box, parallel to the spine. Include a message in the item record: "Text & CD-ROM"
If the book and the CD-ROM are packaged in a container which is not durable and not suitable for shelving, Bindery staff will make a pocket in the back of the book or serial volume when applicable. If this is not applicable, the Bindery staff will make one box for the two pieces. Cataloging staff will enter the barcode data in the item record, clip the barcode securely to the routing slip, and include a message on the item record: "Text & CD-ROM"
Note that branches may handle CD-ROMs according to their own policies.
Texts that accompany CD-ROMs: Apply the same guidelines as for CD-ROMs that accompany a book. However, the messages will read: "CD-ROM & text" or "CD-ROM & user guide."
| An increasing number of scores and books on music are being issued with accompanying CDs or CD-ROMs, which are usually housed in a pocket in the back of the books. These should be barcoded on receipt following the instructions for books, above. Once they reach Cataloging, however, the accompanying discs(s) are repackaged in a jewel case which is given its own barcode and item record. As these discs are shelved separately, a color scan of the book cover may be made as a jewel case insert to aid in easy identification of the title. | |
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For maps printed on one side, place the barcode in a random corner of the
unprinted side. For maps printed on both sides, place the barcode in a random corner of the verso or secondary side of the map proper, taking care not to obscure any printed information. The random corner placement prevents bunching of barcodes in one corner when the maps are stored flat in a drawer. |
The barcoding of scores and instrumental parts differs somewhat from that of books because of how they are used, and how they are dealt with in the Bindery and in Circulation.
First, a few brief definitions:Scores and sets of parts are often, but not always, issued together. So, a string quartet most often comes to us as a score, which shows the music for all four instruments on a single page, and a set of four parts, one for each player, who can therefore prop it on their music stands and play it without the distraction of the other parts.
From the players' point of view, it should be apparent that the parts need to be separately available, and so cannot be bound in with the score; most often the score is bound, and the parts are housed in a pocket at the back of the binder.
Sets of parts for a musical work are often published separately from the score, and in those cases the parts are gathered together in a binder (from which they can be easily removed and distributed to the players) with a single barcode for the set.
From the point of view of Circulation, it is important that one
patron take responsibility for the whole set of parts, or for the score
and parts, so in general only one barcode is used.
PLACEMENT OF THE BARCODE
| Bound scores ("Hardback"): Place the barcode on the inside back cover, centered along the top edge, taking care not to cover any music or text. |
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Unbound scores ("Paperback" or without cover): Some
scores have music on the inside back page, so to avoid obscuring it
with a Date Due sticker (which generally goes on the same page as the
barcode), unbound ("paperback") scores are barcoded on the outside of the back cover: |
Unbound scores which include separate instrumental parts: Only the score is barcoded. Place the barcode on the outside of the back cover, centered along the top edge. The Bindery (or commercial binder) will bind in the score and gather the other parts in a pocket at the back of the music score binder. |
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Sets of separate instrumental parts, I: If the set of parts comes in a folder, only the folder is barcoded; place the barcode on the outside of the back cover of that folder, centered along the top edge. The Bindery will retain this folder, bind in one of the parts (usually the highest-pitched instrument; consult the New Grove or the music cataloger), and gather the other parts in a pocket at the back of the music score binder. |
Sets of separate instrumental parts, II:
On those sets of parts with no folder, place a piggyback barcode on the part that will be bound (usually the highest-pitched instrument; consult the New Grove or the music cataloger to determine which part will be bound). The Bindery will bind in one of the parts (usually the highest-pitched instrument), and gather the other parts in a pocket at the back of the music score binder. |
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Sets of separate instrumental parts, III: On those sets of parts where each part has a card cover, place a barcode on the outside of the back cover of the part to be bound only, centered along the top edge. The Bindery will bind in this part and gather the other parts in a pocket at the back of the music score binder. In those rare cases where the thickness of each of the parts is quite substantial, a special folder will be made by the Bindery. |
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| Unusual formats: For scores with unusual formats (specially boxed facsimiles, for example) where the appropriate policy to be followed is not clear, enter the barcode data in the item record and clip the barcode securely to the routing slip, or to an appropriate part of the item. |  |
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Periodicals: Individual issues of periodicals are not barcoded. When a volume is sent out for commercial binding, a piggyback barcode is affixed to the front cover of the first issue. When the volume returns to the library, Bindery staff will move the piggyback barcode to its usual position, inside the back cover, centered at the top edge. |
Other print serials: Hardbound and softbound serial volumes which are not displayed in the periodical reading areas ("Ser. Cat." volumes) have a barcode placed inside the back cover, centered at the top edge. (Note: Sciences Serials use piggyback barcodes for all softbound material being sent out to the commercial binder, periodical or not.)
Non-print serials: For issues of serials which consist of music, electronic, or other physical format, refer to barcoding instructions for the specific format.
Special Collections serials: Serials for Special Collections are not barcoded.
| Cassettes: Place the barcode on the back of the cassette case, centered on the hinge, parallel to the long side. |  |
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Compact Discs: For single CD jewel cases, place the barcode on the front of the jewel case, in the upper left corner, perpendicular to the top, and parallel to the hinge. Do not barcode program notes which are inserted in the jewel case. |
For all other types of packaging, including multiple jewel cases, consult the more detailed document Barcoding Compact Discs (Not yet published)
| LPs: Place the barcode on the front left side of the jacket, centered and parallel to the spine. For multiple LPs in a single box, barcode the box only. Place the barcode on the front left side of the box, centered and parallel to the spine. |  |
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Videocassettes: Barcode the videocassette itself, not the case. Place the barcode on the spine opposite the edge that is inserted in the video player, taking care not to obscure any printed information. If there is text on the spine (that is not repeated elsewhere), place a piggyback barcode on the case. Once cataloging is completed the cataloger will move t he piggyback barcode to its usual position. |
| DVDs (Digital Video Discs): If a DVD comes in a box which is durable and suitable for shelving, the box is retained. Place the barcode in the upper left corner of the box, parallel to the spine. |  |
DVDs in jewel cases tend to get lost on shelving designed for books, and so are repackaged. If a DVD comes in a jewel case with no other outer container, or in a box which is not durable, input the barcode data in the item record and clip the permanent barcode securely to the routing flag (or use a piggyback barcode). The Bindery staff will rehouse the DVD in a Tyvek envelope within a pamphlet binder to which the barcode will be permanently attached.
Texts that accompany DVDs: Barcode only those texts which are external to the (original) container, applying the same guidelines as for CD-ROMs that accompany a book. The item record message will read: DVD & text.
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General Collections: General Collections volumes sent to Annex storage have a barcode with a yellow stripe affixed as close to the upper left corner of the front cover as possible, without obscuring any call number labels or other important printed information. (In the pictured example the barcode is placed so as not to obscure the call number label.) |
| Special Collections: Special collections materials going to Annex Hay storage get a "yellow stripe" barcode affixed to the upper left corner of an acid-free envelope for softbound or very fragile material, or a yellow stripe barcode affixed to secure an acid-free wrapper for hardbound materials |  |
| Brown University Library Cataloging Services | |
| Document created by: | Patrick Hutchinson |
| Last updated: | September 2006 |
| If you have questions, please contact: | Rock_Catalog@brown.edu |
Wednesday, 01-Oct-2003 05:04:51 EDT
