Barcoding

Is there any evidence of real or potential damage caused by the
rigid plastic "carrier" that remains on a page after a piggyback
barcode is moved?

Piggyback barcodes are usually placed on a text page of a newly
acquired book that is being processed into a library's collection, a
process that might include binding (which would cover any barcode
placed directly inside the book's covers).

After processing is complete, the barcode is intended to be peeled
off from the text page and moved to a more sturdy and accessible
location, usually the inside of the book's front or back cover,
leaving behind on the text page a rectangular plastic "carrier."

(Sometimes excess adhesive also remains on the carrier, causing
pages to stick together. But this problem can be resolved by
choosing a reliable barcode supplier, who uses uniform, minimal
amounts of a quality adhesive.)

Suspicions persist that the plastic carrier might eventually be
harmful to the surrounding paper, but piggyback barcodes have not
been in general use for enough time to assess their long-term
material effect.

Does anyone have any evidence or experience to share on the impact
of piggyback barcode carriers?


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 15:81
                   Distributed: Tuesday, June 4, 2002
                       Message Id: cdl-15-81-017
                                  ***