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February 13, 2008
A plea to all library authorities
This sensible request has come up this morning:
You may be interested to know that CBC has agreed on standard fiction genres and standard labels, which the library suppliers provide and affix in exactly the same way as they would a non fiction spine label. This means that the label is part of standard core servicing. CBC is the largest library purchasing consortium in the country and currently has 38 participating authorities. If others could agree to use the genres that CBC is using we would be well on the way to making this the national standard.
Experience shows that readers like stock to be presented to them in genres, and provided that the labelling can be achieved in the way CBC authorities are doing it, this is the most cost effective way of getting the books back onto the shelves in the right place. All other alternatives take much more staff time and are not as cost effective when this is taken into account.
Please will every library authority tell their own suppliers that they would like their labelling to conform to the CBC standard. Then we would each save a fortune on labelling. At present suppliers have to hold stocks of and operate different labelling requirements for almost every different council. It is such a waste of time and money. You can be sure a supplier will share the saving by giving you an increased discount. You don't have to wait until your next supply contract renewal. Ask to make the change now.
Posted by Perkins at February 13, 2008 11:18 AM