RDS@UF: Book Jackets

Updated December 2022 by Sam Fraleigh

Book Jackets

The various owning locations throughout the library have different expectations regarding the handling of book jackets. Some locations do not want the jackets to be sent along with the item, while others use the jackets for displays or other purposes. In general, library policy calls for books to be shelved without jackets in the open stacks with the exception of the Florida History Collection which retains jackets on the books. This procedure documents the handling of book jackets for catalogers and those working in the Physical Processing Area.

Quick Treatment Chart (see below for more detailed instructions)

 

Library West (Main) [including Judaica and Africa Collections]

• Cataloger removes and discards book jacket.
• Call number label is affixed in Processing on the spine/cover of the book.

Marston Science Library (MSL)

• Cataloger removes and discards book jacket.
• Call number label is affixed in Processing on the spine/cover of the book.
• Exception: Any book jackets accompanying Science Fiction materials (Shelving location code: SF)
  • Should be removed and inserted between the pages of the book.
  • Call number is affixed on the spine of the book in Processing.
  • The book jacket travels with the book to the owning location.

Latin American and Caribbean Collection (LAC)

• Cataloger removes and inserts book jacket between the pages of the book.
• Call number is affixed on the spine of the book in Processing.
• The book jacket travels with the book to the owning location.

Architecture and Fine Arts (AFA) and Education (Children’s Books)

• Cataloger removes and inserts book jacket between the pages of the book.
• Call number is affixed on the spine of the book in Processing.
• The book jacket travels with the book to the owning location.
• Education General Collection book jackets may be discarded/repurposed

Florida History

• Cataloger leaves book jacket on the book.
• Call number label is affixed on the book jacket in Processing.
• The book jacket travels with the item to the Florida History collection.

Baldwin Library

• Book jackets remain on the book.
• Do not catalogue or process.
• Place on designated Baldwin shelf.

Exceptions:

If the covers and spine of a book are blank or have insufficient information on them to identify a book and all information is on the book jacket, send the book and jacket to Preservation after item is cataloged. This applies only to soft cover books, not hard cover.

If special handling of book jacket or exceptions to the above procedures are required – see the staff person supervising Processing before placing the book on the shelves. Include a note with the book describing the special handling required because someone besides the person to whom you spoke may process the material.

Note: Rather than discarding unneeded book jackets, you may collect them and give them in batches to Sam Fraleigh to send on to Library West for use at events and with button-making.