Stamping and Stripping:

Before going into general circulation, items processed by Serials need to be stamped and/or stripped. Stamping and stripping helps protect our materials from theft, as well as identifying the materials as property of the University of Arkansas Libraries. Stamping is the physical placing of a stamp on an item identifying it is the property of the University of Arkansas Libraries. Applying a security strip is the inclusion of a metallic strip that will trigger an alarm if an item is taken from the building without being checked out.

Items ready to be stamped and/or stripped will be placed on the large table in the Serials department. On the table, the items are to be sorted according to location (this will save time when shelving and ensure that ARKCO items are not inadvertently security stripped).

After items have been stamped and stripped, they should be placed on the appropriate location pick-up shelf. For example, any FALPE items will be placed on the FAL pick-up shelf.

Stripping Guidelines: 

• How to Apply a Security Strip:  For serials, the strip should be placed horizontally on the inside back cover. Try to keep the stripped centered in the page, as a strip too close to the edges can affect binding. If the strip is too large to be placed in the issue, you can cut it in half. In some cases, you may need to vary from this format, due to publication size, lack of suitable area on the back cover page to place the strip, etc. Use your judgement, but try not to cover any important writing. For example, strips can be placed vertically to avoid covering up important text.Below you will find a list for security stripped materials and a list for materials we do not apply a security strip to.
  • SECURITY STRIPPED MATERIALS:​
    • Security Strip items going to : PER, PERS, MAIN, OV, REF, REFD, FAL, FALPE, FALOV, GOVRF, MAPS (STORC), CHEM, CHEMP, PHYS, PHYSP, MATH, LRC, STORM.
  • NON-SECURITY STRIP MATERIALS: 
    • Arkansas/Special Collections Items: No items going to ARKCO, ARKOV, SPCO, all LINX Special Collections locations, and other Special Collections locations, receive a security strip.
    • Binding: Items going directly to binding do not receive a property stamp or security strip. After being checked in they should be processed for errata (if necessary) and placed directly in the binding basket.
    • Limited Retention items: Limited retention items no longer receive a security strip (Implemented in Fall 2020).
    • Looseleaf items: Looseleaf items do not receive a security strip. They will be placed in a binder that already has a security strip.
    • Newspapers: Newspapers and newspaper supplements no longer receive a security strip (Implemented in Fall 2019).
    • Routed Journals: Routed journals do not receive a stamp or strip until they are returned from routing. They go directly into the routed journal basket after they have been checked-in and (if necessary) processed for errata.
    • Variously classed items: DO NOT property stamp and security strip variously classed items.

Stamping Guidelines:

What to stamp: 

• PERIODICALS:
  • ​PER (Periodicals Room): If the item is going to PER (Periodicals Room), it DOES NOT receive a property stamp.
  • Periodicals going to other locations outside of MULLINS LIBRARY (CHEM, FAL, MATH, PHYS): ​DOES NOT RECEIVE a property stamp.
  • If the item is a periodical that is NOT barcoded but going to REF OR GOV REF: it DOES NOT receive a property stamp.
  • ARKCO/ALL SPCO LOCATIONS: DO NOT property stamp and DO NOT security strip materials going to ARKCO/ALL SPCO LOCATIONS.

• CONTINUATIONS:
  • Continuations (R3) Format: If the continuation is barcoded, DO APPLY a property stamp to the top of the pages of the volume, just like it is done in the monographic unit. If the volume is not thick enough for the property stamp to fit, continue to stamp the top of the pages anyway. It is okay if the property stamp does not entirely fit in the space available.
  • Continuations going to MAIN, REF, REFD, GOV REF, FAL, FALOV, CHEM, PHYS, STORM: DO RECEIVE a property stamp.
  • ARKCO/ALL SPCO LOCATIONS continuations: DO NOT property stamp and security strip continuations going to ARKCO/ALL SPCO LOCATIONS.​
  • Variously classed items: DO NOT property stamp and security strip variously classed items.
  • If the top of the pages is very thin and it is not practical to stamp the top, the following alternate procedure can be used:  
    • The stamp should be placed inside the issue at the top center of the table of contents page, or some similar introductory page.
    • Some publications use waxy or glossy paper that will smear when stamped. Due to the acquiring and use of the Zebra label printers, most printing labels are now also glossy. Therefore, for most items you will need to obtain a matte label from the Serials processing table, place the label on the item, taking care that you don't cover any substantive words or images, and then stamp the matte label.The stamp and ink pad can be found on the serials table. (The ink is refillable).

The following list is a break down by area of the pick up shelves.

User Services In Basket: 

The User Services Department has an "in basket" just inside the circulation department, near the shelving area. MAIN loose leaf filings go here. Do not file in the "out basket" in circulation. 

Example: