Re-marking means re-labeling an older book which either
is being moved to a new location or having its call number changed
or fixed.
In addition to re-labeling the book, re-marking involves
removing, covering, or crossing out any previous markings that are
no longer valid for the book. For example, if a book is moved from
Reference to the main stacks, it will normally have a "For Reference..."
plate that needs to be crossed out.
Re-mark a book being moved from one collection to another
according to the way a book in its new location is normally processed.
Some important steps to recall are:
Reference to stacks
- Put an un-targetted pocket over the existing "Not
to be taken..." target, then mark the pocket with a red check.
- Neatly cross out the words "For Reference --
not to be taken from the library" from the plate, or, cover
that plate with a similarly sized (medium border) Magill plate so
that the phrase is no longer visible.
- Sometimes a book in Reference will have a white spine
label, but the location "Ref." will be hand-lettered above
the call number right on the spine. Be sure to cover the word "Ref."
as well as the original spine label.
- If the call number has been written on the back of
the title page, check to be sure the word "Ref." has been
erased (also check that the call number is correct). If any part
of the call number is incorrect, it's okay to cross out the whole
call number rather than correcting it.
New call number
- Completely cover the old spine label with the new
one. Keep this in mind before you trim the label, as in some cases
an extra amount of white border will be needed. If even this does
not seem to be sufficient, first cover the entire old spine label
with a blank white label (trimmed to the same size as the original),
then apply the new spine label onto this white label.
- If the call number has been written on the back of
the title page, check that the call number is correct there. If
any part of the call number is incorrect, it's okay to cross out
the whole call number rather than correcting it.
- If the pocket is labeled with the call number, check
that the call number is correct there. If any part of the call number
is incorrect, it's okay to cross out the whole call number rather
than correcting it.
Replacing a pocket with a "Not to be taken..."
target
- Gently remove the pocket. This will involve some
tearing of the book's end paper, which is okay, but keep the damage
to a minimum.
- Attatch the target to the usual place in the lower
right corner of the inside back cover.
In all cases, since we used to write the call number
on the back of the title page (which we no longer do), the old call
number or location will probably be written there. If it is no longer
accurate, you can simply put a neat "X" through the call
number or erase the call number and leave the page blank (in keeping
with the current policy).
When removing any physical marking from a book, such
as a pocket or target, please try to tear it out gently. Make an effort
not to tear through the underlying paper. Inevitably, you will take
off the top layer of the paper, but try not to tear it excessively.
If the pocket or target is not on the inside front or back cover,
the chances of tearing through the page are greatly increased. In
this case, you should bring the situation to the attention of the
Processing Supervisor or the Library's Binder, who will be able to
make a decision as to the best way to deal with it. For example, if
a pocket needs to be removed from the page one in from the end paper,
it might be easier simply to place a "Not to be taken..."
label on it, so that it still has the target but will not be checked
out by circulation.
If a barcode ever needs to be removed from a book, you
should be aware that most of our barcodes are made of a two-layered
paper, so that the top layer, which is glossy and has the barcode
and number printed on it, can be peeled away from the bottom layer,
which has the glue on it, removing all trace of the barcode but leaving
the lower layer of paper. If a new barcode is needed, it can be attached
directly on top of the remaining layer of the old one.
As always, be as neat as possible. Neatness counts and
sloppy work is especially noticeable on a re-marked book where the
old markings are not neatly covered or are still visible.
