Short and sweet version, from Elizabeth Jones of Covenant Family Library:

“So many books, so little time.” Running a homeschool library adds a whole new level to this saying.

90+% of the books I acquire are library discards. The first step towards adding them to my library is removing old labels and any dust jacket covers that aren’t salvageable. While I’m at it I apply tape as needed and mark out previous library stamps.

A different day I glue loose pages and end papers. I can’t tape at the same time because my fingers have gotten all gummy.

Covering dust jackets is particularly gratifying, partly because all the other repairs have already happened.

Once the books are fully cleaned up and repaired I add them to my library database. Then I type up and print off labels, 30 per sheet, and then apply said labels and stamp the title pages with my library name.

The last step is to lug stacks or boxes of books out to the library and shelve them so they are ready and waiting for members to borrow!

The longer version, from Mary Schubert of Pursell Schubert Legacy Library:

Each of my books must have a book number in it. This number is auto-generated in my Microsoft ACCESS database which I designed for my library books. (NOTE: If you use bar codes, this number, called an accession number, could be the barcode number for that particular book.) Currently, in pencil, I write this number inside the upper left corner of one of my first clean pages in my book. Underneath it, I include my self-created invoice # for that purchase. Then I also notate subject and location information in as small an amount of space as possible. 

Each book is covered in some sort of protective covering, either with laminate, mylar dust jacket cover, or a clear plastic book sleeve. My purpose is two-fold. First is to keep the books clean and hopefully free of spills or water. Second, is to provide a place for me to attach my sticky library label, and in the future, other Call Number labels. If a book has a sufficient glossy finish, I may decide not to cover it. In that case, I will still adhere a library label to the backside of the book, but I first put a piece of Scotch brand tape down on the book. Then my label, covering with another piece of clear Scotch tape. My reasoning is that from experience, it is easier to remove tape residue than sticker residue from books.  

I also do not put any other sort of library stamp inside my books. Since most of my books are ex-library, they already have enough stamping done inside the book. I write my name and phone # in pencil on the same early page of the book as I have my book # indicated. I will use correction tape, pencil, single-line Sharpie, or various other means to mark out previous owner markings in books. 

Once my book has been entered into my database, so that it has a book number associated with it, it is sufficiently covered, and labeled with my library information, then I am ready to freely loan out my books. I realize this does not address the issue of shelving my books, but this is what I have done for several years when I did not have the space to adequately house my books where they could be viewed by patrons coming into my house. My database is set up so that I can also keep track of where my books are located, as well as who has them checked out.

This post is part of our Ask The Librarian series, a Card Catalog Project. You can find more like this here. And, we would love to connect with you! You can find us on Facebook here.