Shelf-Ready Problems

Q: What are shelf-ready problems?

A: Shelf-ready books are cataloged and processed by an outside company. They are received by acquisitions and sent directly to circulation, bypassing cataloging. Occasionally, books are flagged by the shelf-ready company and brought to cataloging because they could not be cataloged or processed for some reason.

Here is a list of common issues and solutions (in red) for handling shelf-ready problems:

1. The OCLC record does not have a call number OR the call number is truncated

   1. Check OCLC to see if the record has been updated or changed to include the full call number

      1. If so…

         1. Copy the new call number from the OCLC record and paste it into the bib and item record in Sierra (be sure to update the location from the “asgen” default to the correct location based on the call number), save the changes then complete physical processing and drop item off in circulation

         2. OR use copy cataloging procedure to import the record from OCLC using the 907 and the .b number to overlay the old record with a newer version then complete physical processing and drop item off in circulation

      2. If not…

         1. Pass the book on to a more experienced cataloger

2. The OCLC record is too brief to be useful and needs individual cataloging help

   1. Check OCLC to see if there is a better record

      1. If so…

         1. Delete holdings from the record we don’t want to use (shift + F8)

         2. Use copy cataloging procedure to import the record from OCLC using the 907 and the .b number to overlay the old record with the better one

      2. If not…

         1. Pass the book on to a more experienced cataloger

3. A barcode cannot be applied because there isn’t a space for it (or the space has an image, which they aren’t supposed to cover up)

   1. Place a barcode inside the book as per usual practice and scan it into the item record in Sierra if needed you can slightly modify the placement of the barcode to avoid covering up images or text but if you cover something up it is usually fine to do so – if you aren’t sure ask another cataloger)

4. Call number label cannot be applied because

   1. No call number/truncated call number

      1. See instructions for #1 scenario

5. No space for the label (per their instructions)

   1. Pull up the item record, print the spine label (using smaller font if necessary), and affix to item

6. Property stamps can’t be put on the top or side of the book pages (uneven cut, book is too thin, etc.)

   1. If possible, place a property stamp on the top or side of the book pages

      1. If not…

         1. Place a property stamp on the first page inside the cover, near the barcode