Workflow overview

Materials arrive from different areas in Houghton Library and are processed for delivery to different locations:

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After materials are delivered to Books End-Processing and placed on the appropriate shelves, end-processing can begin. Books are placed upright and spine-out. Materials in flat boxes or fragile materials laid flat for enclosures are placed in the appropriate area as space permits. If space is limited, please connect with the Technical Services Assistant or the Technical Services Librarian for consultation.

General Processing Procedures

The general processing workflow is described below. Exemptions are noted at the end of this page.

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4.1. Pasting Area: After proofreading is complete, the ownership label and book plate (if both are present) are pasted in the corresponding book or box according to the directions on the routing slip. There are two options: Paste in the book or on the container (CMI, prefab, phase box). As a general rule, paste in the book if the book has an appropriate area available for pasting and the area is not too thin or fragile. If an item is cased and the covers of the book are fragile or heavily annotated, the book should only be labeled with the ownership label as the case will be plated (though the preference is always to have the book plated if at all possible). This should be noted on the routing slip. Other exceptions include: 

• Never Do not paste over manuscriptsmanuscript material, or any handwritten text.

• Never Do not paste over another label (unless it’s a correction of the original label).

• Never Do not paste on paper covers, unless instructed to do so on the routing slip.

• Do not paste labels or plates on into items on deposit.

• Never Do not paste on decorated or illustrated endpapers, including watermarks, unless instructed to do so.
  

Another option is to “tip in” the labels. ”Tipping in” means applying glue to one side (usually the right side) of a label/plate and affixing the label/plate on that one side only (e.g. over the earlier signs of provenance by that one edge only so that, while the label/plate might cover the provenance, the glue adheres only to the board and not the provenance) in the usual places. Plates can also be tipped in on the front free flyleaf and ownership label on the back free flyleaf. Consult with your supervisor if you question the pasting area.

4.2. Pasting Directions.: Ownership labels are pasted on the inside back cover in the upper right hand corner away from any cloth, leather, or vellum and only on paper. Book plates are centered on the inside front cover. Use methyl-cellulose paste (archival quality paste) to adhere them to the books. When a book has a very glossy cover, the use of PVA paste is required because the methyl-cellulose paste will not provide the proper affixation. Do not overglue, but make sure the entire surface, especially the corners, is covered. Use a bone folder over a blotter to secure the pasting paying special attention to securing the corners and working out any bubbles or ridges on the labels. When affixed to the book, completely cover the ownership label and bookplate with blotters and cover with a mylar sheet  to protect them and the book while drying. If there is an exception to this procedure, it should be noted on the routing slip. 

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4.2. An Aeon slip should be paired with the routing slip accompanying each item sent to End-Processing. It should accurately reflect that the item is in End-Processing so that Houghton staff can easily find the item if needed, and that it is not necessarily ready for patron use, though exceptions can be made in consultation with the Technical Services Librarian or TS Assistant. If the slip does show that the item is checked out to End-Processing, check the item’s status in Aeon as the slip may not have been printed prior to its arrival in End-Processing.  A completed slip should arrive with each item in End-Processing, providing information for the item’s appropriate treatment (e.g. ownership labels, tabs, spine labels, book plates).

<<picture of Aeon slip>>

4.2.2. The originating department will provide additional information, most often boxing, special instructions, and/or transfer location.

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