[Publib] stickers and labels-materials processing

[Marlene Coleman]

This is really a "system thinking" thing, which is never approached by a
group thought process, but sort of grows like "kudzu".

Having been the manager of TS for over 7 years, and spent many years in
Public Services as well, I see both sides of this discussion.
So many things in processing are started when the collection and budget
is small....and then as time goes on it becomes much more difficult to
carry on the "traditions".  Often it has to do with new staff...who are
used to some other way, or think its helpful to customers.  To me the
processing of materials is much more for staff, especially pages, than
it is for the public.   Customers just want to see, bright shiny new
stuff....and not too crowded together either. [FYI Weeding is much more
important than putting on stickers IMHO]  Putting MYSTERY on the spine
label is probably much better labeling than the "variety" of stickers
that change with the vendor. Where you shelve it is really about pages
getting them back to the shelf...keep it simple or page training is a
"nightmare". 
 
I automated as much as possible of the processing as I could (although
we still couldn't have vendors put call #s on books, because they were
too different than the standard most vendors supply)...including having
our database produce labels....and we still couldn't get things out as
fast as we should.  Some of that was a good budget and student
processors with not enough hours.  If you really want things to get on
the shelf where customers can check them out, then make processing as
consistent and simple as possible....otherwise it's like the "step aside
line" at the fast-food restaurant....it's going to slow you down. If you
are going to "customize" then make sure it's really for the
customer...and is important....Public Services putting on stickers....no
way!!  

Marlene 
Branch Manager, Beaufort 
Beaufort County Library
Beaufort, SC 29902
843-470-6544 ~ mcoleman at bcgov.net
My opinions, my own alone....