HIT: barcodes and protectors

[Tim Lance <timlance@TENET.EDU>]

Hi, all. Are you through yet? We just finished and I must confess to
selfish joy at having the library be mine again.

There were so many replies to my query that I will summarize as best I
can. Thank you for all the information and especially for the many offers
of further help.

By all means place the barcodes on the outside and cover them. Brodart's
label protectors were mentioned many times to my great relief as I had
already purchased 10,000 of them! Some folks simply use clear tape but
also noted was a yellowing effect. Tape is cheaper
than protectors, possibly quicker to apply, and not as easy/tempting to
pull off. Caution should be given for too glossy a tape. Some scanners
can be adjusted/modified for this.

Austin Public Library system has their barcodes on the inside, as do some
of the smaller districts but about the only preferable reason may be less
wear. Compared to time during circulation and inventory . . .

Some advised outside *and* inside.

The only divergent advise concerned placing the barcode on the front
cover or the back. Front: more readily noticed and thus more likely to be
scanned, does not cover "blurbs" often printed on backs, are not confused
with publisher's barcodes which are often already present on backs,
easier to scan at inventory as most people are right handed. Back: out of
sight out of mind, does not mar/detract from cover art.

Many made it a point to place the barcode vertical so you only have to
slightly pull the book from the shelf.

Some mentioned importance of consistency in placement.

After much thought I am putting them on the back. I am in an elementary
school where the "out of sight" thinking appeals and there shouldn't be
confusion about which to scan because a reasonably intelligent/competent
adult *should* be scanning. I would rather blot a portion of the back
cover than detract from the often appealing and enticing to kids cover
art. I bet we become quite facile about 20% into inventory. I may wish I
had used tape but I believe there might be an added durability to the
protector. Also we tend to keep our books in the collection for a longish
time, for which the yellowing might become a concern.

Again, thanks,

Tim
Tim Lance / Librarian
Cook Elementary / Austin (Texas) ISD
timlance@tenet.edu