Library Technical Services

Scope: This procedure outlines the best practice for barcode placement for print materials only at CU libraries. For the barcoding of materials in other formats, see the procedure that addresses each format.

Contact: Lois Peret Purcell

Unit: Cataloging

Date last reviewed: 01/03/08

Date of next review: January 2009

Location

Special instances

A.  Location

1. Affix the barcode to the first leaf of an item, whether or not the leaf has printing or decoration and whether or not the item has covers.
2. The prescribed placement of the barcode is one inch down from the top edge and one inch in from the right-hand edge. If the item is printed "back to front" (i.e., the text is in Arabic, Hebrew, Urdu, etc.), the prescribed placement is one inch down from the top edge and one inch in from the left-hand edge of the "last" leaf.
3. Do not place the barcode less than one inch away from these edges in a softcover item, as softcover items are trimmed after stiffening.
4. The barcode must never cover printing. Affix it as close to the prescribed location as possible without covering printed information.
5. Horizontal orientation of the barcode is preferable but not mandatory.

B.  Special instances

1. Softcover multipart items (for items with continuous paging in more than one piece, see B2, below): Barcode the individual pieces, whether the item is complete or incomplete.
2. Softcover items with continuous paging in more than one piece: If the volumes do not form a complete set, barcode each volume or piece. If the set is complete and the total thickness of all the pieces together is 2.5 inches or less, barcode the first volume only. The call number and item record should reflect that the volumes are bound together (e.g., v.1-2 pencilled in the first volume and recorded in the ENUM/CHRON field). If the set is complete and the total thickness of all the pieces together exceeds 2.5 inches, barcode each volume or piece.
3. Fascicles (of dictionaries, etc.): Send softcover fascicles directly to the stacks without barcodes.
4. MM Cases: Barcode the case only, placing the barcode in the upper right corner of an inside flap, one inch down from the top edge and one inch in from the right edge.
5. Portfolios: Barcode the portfolio only, placing the barcode in the upper left corner of the inside cover. If the portfolio is stored in a protective case, the barcode may be placed on the outside of the portfolio. DO NOT BARCODE LOOSE MATERIALS CONTAINED INSIDE THE PORTFOLIO.
6. Broadsides (i.e. items printed on one side only): DO NOT BARCODE. A broadside is definied as "A separately published item consisting of a piece of paper, printed on one side only and intended to be read unfolded; usually intended to be posted or publicly distributed. Examples of broadsides are proclamations, handbills, ballad-sheets, news-sheets."
7. Music Library items and scores: Barcode hardcover scores and scores to be stiffened according to the guidelines above. Do not barcode single-folio monographs that are stapled, not bound. And do not barcode scores or any music items with parts.
8. Accompanying material: Barcode material which accompanies a main bibliographic item only if it will be shelved and circulated separately from the main item (for example -- a guide to a microfilm set, a separately bound index to a print item, etc.). Do not barcode accompanying material that will be shelved and circulated in conjunction with the main item as a single unit (for example -- maps in a pocket of a book, a printed insert in a CD-ROM, a sound cassette which is boxed, or will be boxed along with a print item). When in doubt, do not barcode the accompanying material.

   For treatment of accompanying material in certain non-book formats,
   see LTS Procedures:

   #17, "Sound Recordings Processing"

   #24, "Computer Disk Processing"

   #32, "Serials Cataloging and Newspaper Processing" (Post-Cataloging Information)

   #33, "Videorecordings processing"
   
   See also  "Bound With" and "Filmed With" Materials.  Should doubt arise about barcoding (e.g., if decisions on binding cannot be anticipated), omit the barcode or consult with a supervisor before proceeding.

Computer Disk Processing

Microforms Processing

Rare and Special Items Processing

Sound Recordings Processing

Videorecordings Processing