Re: Question--on accession numbers

["Jeanette B. Heath" <heathf@DREAMSCAPE.COM>]

Ann,
Before I changed jobs I also worked in a non-automated SMALL elementary
library media center.  It was so small I was only half time.

I did use accession numbers as we did inventory, and it was a good way to
tell books apart.  We had many multiple copies.  And when you have some 7
copies of the Grinch (we had combined two small libraries), you have to
have a way to tell them apart.

When I started there, they used an accession book and used consecutive
accession numbers.

I had used a yearly number in my past job, as in NY state we have a "BEDs
report" where we have to report to  the state how many book we added in the
past year, along with other statistics.  So what I devised is this:

I still kept a rough list of Author/title in my accession book (many people
don't bother with this, they just have a notebook and jot down the numbers
used.)

The first two digits would be the last two digits of the year.   Then the
second part would be four digits starting with 0001 (example-97-0001).  For
paperbacks I put a PB in the middle 97-PB-0001), because we weren't
supposed to include paperbacks in the BEDs report.  Yes, I'd start with
0001 for both.

Once you convert to the automated system, you won't need accession numbers.
But they are very handy to have if you're still using cards.

As to catching up all the other books, you probably won't have time.  I
didn't.  If, then, by some chance you get a second copy of a book you
already have that's not accessioned....just put c.1 on the book, and on the
shelf list.  After all, the only purpose of the accession numbers is to
help you with inventory.


Mrs. Jeanette B. Heath
Library Media Specialist
Red Creek Jr./Sr. High School
PO Box 190
Red Creek, NY 13143
Heathf@dreamscape.com