Processing Central Paperbacks

After cataloging, binding decisions for Central paperbacks will be made by Preservation based on the physical characteristics of a book. A book will be sent for binding or minor repairs when it is not in "shelf-ready condition".

Not in shelf ready condition =

• Thin paper covers
• Uncut pages
• Staples holding the volume together, no matter where they are placed (includes pamphlets)
• Adhesive failure at the spine
• Over 2" thick or very thin
• Oversize (height greater than 29 cm)
• Under 6" in height and 5" in width

Central Art and Reference paperbacks will continue to be automatically bound after cataloging.

Exception: any Patron requested item with a "Do Not Bind" flag overrides the above criteria.

In cases of doubt, the volume will be sent to the stacks unbound. At their discretion, Circulation/ Stacks may return volumes to Preservation for binding either before or after items have circulated. Preservation staff will determine the proper treatment, e.g. mylar cover, custom bind, spine repair, etc. for these materials. Since this is a judgment call, staff may not agree on every binding decision. However, we will work collegially to accept each other’s judgements.

Order Services will attach one barcode and clip the other two to Central paperbacks. A single category of Pseudo Patron, for items sent from Order Services to Binding/Marking, will be used for charging all speed-cataloged books and bound serial added volumes. Order Services will separate all of these books into only two categories: paperbacks and hardbacks, and send them to Binding/Marking separately.

All paperbound volumes will go to a Preservation "decision shelf". These will include Reference, Art, and non-Central speed-cataloged paperbacks, which must all be identified by colored flags. Paperbacks that Preservation decides to send for binding will then be re-charged to Bindery by Preservation staff. All other speed-cataloged books will be marked without re-charging.

Cataloging will deliver their paperback books needing Preservation decisions to the "decision shelf" at the completion of cataloging. Some of these may already have barcodes attached by Order Services.

Sheranda Lee will be the primary binding decision person, backed up by Charlotte Lew, Sue Davis, and Karen Pillow in that order. The binding decision shelf will be checked daily

2/16/2001 RW updated 10/19/06 SD