Before instructions went online, there was a three-ring notebook (still kept onsite by Manuscript End-processor) containing samples of labels from past collections that were sometimes useful for understanding how labels have evolved over the years, how to interpret early methods of handling certain circumstances. Some of the samples pre-date 1981. A new online version of the sample book is begun here as a shared resource, and is updated regularly. These These are mostly samples of exceptions to the standard rules
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ACCESSION NUMBER AS CALL NUMBER
Sometimes catalogers will choose to allow an accessions number serve as a call number. For volumes, the small label in back can use the date on the bottom instead of duplicating the accession number. For example, printed books that were once classed as 52L-MANUSCRIPTS and are being reclassed as 52L-1140 etc. will have small labels that look like this. We no longer include the date at the bottom of the small label that goes into the verso of the volume. We also omit "THE" from "HOUGHTON LIBRARY, as well as the asterisk that used to precede the accession number. Here are samples of the old and the new labels for bound single items.
CURRENT:
52L-1140 |
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*52L-1140 |
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For volumes over 28 cm, put a lowercase "f" in front of the accession number (call number), but leave a space in between them. The "f"s are shelved in a different aisle. Some of the older ones have an uppercase "F" at the end rather than a lowercase "f" in front. To continue the current practice, here is a sample label for an item in a prefab over 28 cm.:
f 52L-1141
THE HOUGHTON LIBRARY
1950
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Left is the
creased edge
of folder (on right is open side of the folder)
Inside a half-drawer (pfd) the (20 x 24") folders are oriented side by side with the label (open) end facing the front of the drawer as below (sometimes fragile items are kept on top of the pile.)
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