[PADG:2249] Re: Glue sticks & book pockets

[Erika Heinen <erika.heinen@xxxxxxxx>]

Tyra,

For about six months now, we have been using a newish product offered by
Gaylord.

It's called a Perfect Pocket, and consists of a polyethylene pocket with
an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive.  It is sealed on three
sides, the front is slightly shorter than the back, and the front is
folded over to strengthen that edge and to make insertion of a date due
slip easier.  A simple accelerated aging failed to show any
significant interaction with any of the papers we tried it on--beyond the
obvious fact that it is not realistically reversible.

Of course, nothing's ever "perfect", so we had Gaylord
customize the pocket to make it wider.  The original design is fine
for the standard old-fashioned date due slip, either the folder stock or
typing paper kind.  However, many of our libraries at Yale have
switched over to the cash register receipt type date due slip, and the
paperstock is wider.

The guards really like the clear pockets because they can match the
barcode on the date due receipt with the barcode on the book without
messing with the receipt.  Also, the clear pocket doesn't obscure
printed endsheets.  Circulation staff appreciate having a pressure
sensitive pocket rather than something requiring applied
adhesives.

Many advantages, but not reversible.

Erika Heinen
Collections Care Librarian
Yale University Library
203-432-1721

At 12:42 PM 2/10/2004 -0600, you wrote:
> I'm shopping for glue
> sticks.   Our labeling staff use them to adhere book
> pockets.  We currently use Avery Disappearing Color Glue Stic
> (supposed to be "acid-free and photo-safe").  We use the
> 1.27 oz. stick but I'm actually considering recommending trying a smaller
> (diameter) stick.
>
> My questions:
> 1)  Can anyone recommend a great glue stick bargain.---either a
> specific product or vendor source?
>
> 2)  How do other libraries handle pockets these days?  Do most
> libraries still use pockets?  Has anyone come up w/a good
> alternative or an approach that's worth sharing?
>
> 3)  Are there objections to using glue sticks for pockets? 
> What would these be---even including what may seem to be obvious
> objections.
>
> Thanks,
> Tyra Grant
> Head, Preservation Department
> Northwestern University Library