Barcode Placement Guidelines for Library and Archival Collections

The barcode is a Schnabel label that will link the item to a bibliographic record in the online catalog.  It is approximately 2” long by 5/8” wide.

These guidelines are for barcoding general collections or barcoding protective containers for collection material.  Special collection materials should not have barcodes adhered directly to the materials.  The Preservation Dept can assist with suggestions on how to associate barcodes with special collection materials.

Barcode wrapper:  a loop of polyethylene film that is 2 ½” wide.  This loop is fitted snugly to the front cover of the book from head to tail and the barcode label is attached to it, rather than the cover itself.

The Piggyback barcode label is constructed of two layers of adhesive allowing one label to be used twice.  It is commonly used for placement of labels on serials prior to and after being bound.

General rule for barcode placement:  Barcodes go on the front of the book or box as defined below.

If the placement of the barcode is going to obscure title information, check to see if the information appears elsewhere in the volume; for example, the title page.  If the information is elsewhere, place the barcode in the upper left corner allowing the information to be obscured.  If the information is not found anywhere else in the volume, photocopy the cover before placing the barcode in the upper left corner.  Put the photocopy of the cover in the volume.

Container Type	Recommended Barcode Location		Comments
Bound materials (hard cover)	upper left, front corner; closest to the spine.		Approximately ¼” from the top edge and away from the book joint; books with book jackets see ‘special situations’ at end of this document.
Bound materials (soft cover)	upper left, front corner; closest to the spine.		East Asian, Middle Eastern and Judaic materials—please see ‘special situations’ at end of this document.
Serials to be bound	inside back cover of last issue		Piggy back labels only—see ‘special situations’ at the end of this document.
4-flap folder/portfolio/East Asian wrappers	upper left, front corner; closest to the spine		See general rule for barcode placement with regards to obscuring titling information.
Phase box/Drop spine boxes	upper left, front corner; closest to the spine
Envelopes	upper left, front corner		Flap is considered the back of the envelope.  The barcode goes on the front.
CD & DVD jewel case	upper left, front corner		Place barcode so it is fully on that portion of the case cover that opens.
CD&DVD commercial rectangular case	upper left, front corner; closest to the spine of the case
Floppy disk jewel case	upper left, front corner		Place barcode so it is fully on that portion of the case cover that opens.
Audio cassettes cases	front, top (short end); closest to the spine
Audio disks (LP album covers)	upper left corner
Audio disks (45 rpm—7” disks—original jackets, sleeves, acid-free envelopes)	upper left corner
Audio disks (78 rpm—10”x 12”& 16” disks—acid-free envelopes; some original jackets & set boxes	upper left corner
All open audio reels stored in boxes (stored on edge)	upper left edge of box
Video cassettes cases	upper left corner; closest to the spine
All open reel film in cans (stored on edge)	on the edge
Microfilm boxes	on the narrow flap
Fiche boxes	narrow end; upper left corner
Document cases / manuscript/Hollinger boxes (legal or letter size, 5” or 3” wide)  readex microcard box	top left corner of narrow end
Paige/record cartons	short side; upper left, below the cover
Flat box/pizza box Other terms used to describe such a box:  clamshell, telescoping, newspaper.  These are stored flat on shelf.	upper left; short side
Oversize folders Stored in flat files.	lower left corner of open edge
Card file boxes	narrow end; upper left corner
Map tubes—4x4 square	upper left of long side
Expanding folders	upper left corner		This is for letter or legal size expanding folders. Flap is considered the back of the envelope.  The barcode goes on the front.

Special Situations for barcode placement

Hardcover Books with book jackets:

If the book jacket is being retained, please do not place the barcode directly on the jacket.  There are two options:  The first is to use a Barcode Wrapper as described on page 1.  The other is to create a clear polypropylene book jacket using the CoLibri commercial system.  The Preservation Department can assist with either option.  Contact the Preservation Field Services Office for assistance.

East Asian, Near East and Judaic materials:

This refers to those volumes whose title page is such that the spine is on the right when opened to the title page.  Ignore what is considered the ‘front’ of these volumes.  The bar code should be placed on the upper left corner closest to the spine with the spine on the left.

Library Binding Serials:

When bringing issues together to be sent for binding a piggyback barcode is used.  The piggyback barcode is placed on the inside back cover of the last issue.  After the item is bound the barcode is moved to the upper left of the front cover.