Books End-Processing: Supplies

Owned by Michael Pasternak
Last updated: Jan 22, 2021

The supply closet at the back of the Mezzanine is for the use of the Technical Services Department and holds the supplies needed for end-processing.  It is used by the entire department, but it is the responsibility of the Technical Services Assistant to maintain and stock it. Other supplies can be found in Conservation and Preservation.

The TS Assistant is responsible for the inventory and maintenance of supplies. All departmental staff must notify the TS Assistant when they notice supplies are low after retrieving supplies for their work. The Technical Services Librarian is responsible for ordering supplies and has exclusive access to the purchasing card.

Physical tools

The standard array of tools are used in end-processing and should be maintained by TS Assistant.

  • Paper cutters are used to easily cut labels such as ownership labels.

  • Bone folders used to adhere labels to books by pressing the bubbles out and securing the edges.

  • Brushes are used to apply adhesives to labels.

  • Securely capped de-ionized or filtered water to wash adhesives off brushes.

  • Rulers and measuring tapes are used to measure books and containers to verify dimensions and whether a size designation is required or not.

  • Scissors are used to cut a variety of supplies such as labels and cotton ribbon.

  • Snakes are used to weigh down pages of opened books in cradles.

  • Bricks are used to prop books on shelves and book trucks. Surplus bricks can be found in the stacks.

Adhesives

  • Methyl cellulose paste is used to affix interior labels. It is supplied by the Manuscripts End-Processor. It is used for book boards, prefabs, CMI boxes, archival boxes, and phase boxes.

  • PVA paste is only used when methyl cellulose paste will not affix labels to glossy, plastic coated books and CD/DVD cases, etc. It is supplied by Conservation and Preservation. 


Drying supplies

These supplies are used in the drying of plates and labels. They are cut from larger sheets and rolls.

  • Blotters are non-woven acid-free fabric placed directly on a newly pasted label.

  • Mylar clear inert plastic sheets are placed over the blotters to prevent paste from leaking onto the books.

 

Paper Supplies

  •  Tabs are used for on-site Houghton books without a container. They are made by cutting cream colored stock paper specifically designated for tabs.

  • Labels

    • Spine labels are created on Demco SKU 14971390 sheets.

    • Broadside labels are created on Avery 5164 sheets.

    • Box labels (e.g. Keep Flat) are created on Avery 5162 sheets.

    • Ownership labels are created on Alpha cellulose paper (University Products 716-8511).

    • Book plates are created on Alpha cellulose paper (University Products 716-8511).

    • Harvard Depository labels are created on Gaylord SKU 20535830 sheets.

    • Spine label protectors are ordered from DEMCO (SKU 20546820).

 

Dust Jackets

Dust jackets are found on many hardcover and on some paperback books, so they are often retained according to the circumstances below. All retained dust jackets are covered with a dust/book jacket mylar cover whether the book is housed in an enclosure or not.

  • Dust jackets are removed and discarded for reference books (RR, HRR designations).

  • Dust jackets for all Houghton, HTC, and Poetry items shelved in Houghton stacks are retained.

  • Dust jackets for all Houghton, HTC, and Poetry items shelved at Harvard Depository are retained, and these items are placed in enclosures.


Books with dust jackets should arrive in end-processing with the proper notation for casing indicated on the routing slip. If an item arrives without proper marking, consult the cataloger.

They are available in two sizes and are ordered from Archival Products.

  • 18” x 24” (NGBC1)

  • 20” x 28” (NGBC2)

Miscellaneous Supplies

  • Barcodes are used on all items. Notify TS Librarian when more are needed.

  • Cotton ribbon is used to tie books with Tyvek envelopes and other items.

  • L-velopes are clear plastic protectors used to protect newspaper clippings and other ephemera in books and containers.

  • CD cases are usually used for the Woodberry Poetry Room CDs not already cased.

  • Video cassette cases are usually used for the Woodberry Poetry Room video cassettes not already cased.