About the Brittle Books Program

• A volume must have been "tested" using either the double-fold test or the flex test and found to be brittle, before being sent through the brittle books program. (The exception is other volumes of a set being considered for reformatting - the complete set is reformatted, not just the brittle volumes).

• Each brittle volume is to be reviewed by the appropriate Collection Manager and the decision carried out by the Brittle Books staff (or other appropriate staff).

About Brittle Books

• Books may not be reformatted by Preservation staff if currently available for purchase in any form from other sources.

• Brittle books are not preservation photocopied unless under 50 pages. Books under 50 pages should not be filmed unless part of a set being filmed.

• All brittle books are charged to a Brittle Books Patron ID, informing the public and library staff that the books are held in the Preservation Department.

• Uncataloged volumes must have the copy level code changed from "I" to "U" for the charge to display in the public mode on-line.

• Displaying statements direct the patron to the Preservation Department for further help (indicating that the volume is brittle or out for microfilming).

• All brittle books are accessible to patrons and staff while housed in the Department; locating volumes for patron requests is a priority activity.

• Brittle books arrive in the unit from several sources/methods:

• Received from the Conservation Unit (who gets them from Circulation and the Branches)
• Received directly from Circulation and the Branches
• Received from Processing
• Brought in by brittle books staff when specific stack areas are targeted (for Grant fulfillment)
• Received from collection managers who request reformatting

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Brittle Books Program Operations and Procedures Manual
REPROGRAPHICS HOME PAGE

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For more information or reference assistance contact the Brittle Books Program at brittle@mail.uflib.ufl.edu.

Last Revised: 1996 December 3