Music Library Staff Guide: Creating Labels

Beginning or within a call number, MUS is designated to indicate that the item is owned by the Music Library.  Each campus library also has its own 3-letter designation (CEN, DIV, LAW, SCI, etc.).  In cases where the designation is not included on an item’s call number label, it can be assumed that the library that holds the greatest number of that type of item is the owning library (CEN is frequently missing from book call number labels). 

All Music Library call number labels for print items begin with MUS.  The MUS designation is also included in the call number of media items when displayed in Library Catalog (CD MUS-10153, DVD MUS-465, etc.), but it is not included on Music Library media call number labels.

The MUS designator indicates that the item is owned by the Music Library.  It should be at the top of every print Music Library call number.

REF follows MUS for all reference items.  It does not appear in the call number of circulating items.

A letter or combination of letters, most frequently M (Music), ML (Literature on Music), or MT (Music Instruction), will indicate the broad subject area that the item belongs to. 

A classification number (always numeric) will narrow the subject area.

One or more Cutter numbers (always alphanumeric) will continue to define the item.  Note that only the first Cutter number is preceded by a period. 

Opus or catalog numbers, creation or publication dates, and/or volume numbers may follow the Cutter numbers. 

Books and scores will need 1 label for the spine or the front cover.

Instrumental parts are not labeled.  They should be stamped later.

CD containers will need 2 labels, 1 for the front and 1 for the back. 

DVD containers with a wide “spine” (where the front and back covers connect) will need 1 label.

DVD containers with a narrow “spine” or slim-case will need 2 labels, 1 for the front and 1 for the back.

Loose media booklets (designated and labeled as commentaries [Comm.]) associated or housed within both DVD and CD containers will need one label for the front.  Note that when the front cover of a slide-in CD commentary can be viewed through the front of a CD case, that CD commentary is not considered to be a loose commentary.

Boxes that house media containers and/or booklets should be labeled in the same manner as the enclosed container.  1 additional label will be needed for DVDs with a wide “spine”; 2 additional labels for DVDs with a slim “spine”; and, 2 additional labels will be needed for CDs. 

Disc sleeves housed within CD containers will need 1 label for each sleeve.

Labels affixed to media discs (labels placed directly on the CD(s) or DVD(s)) are not created using the Zebra printer.

You will use the program called Spine Labeler on the circulation workstation to make labels. You will need a staff member to set up the program on your account if it is not already there. Once you have the program downloaded and open, simply scan the barcode of the item you need to label. It will auto-populate with the call number. Then, hit print and the call number will print out of the small printer on the right of the workstation. If you need more than one label, repeat the process. 

For media items you will not scan the barcode into the program. There should be a sticky note that should have the call number of the item (i.e. CD 737). Use a separate line for each identifier:

CD

737 

(You may need a third line for volume number or commentary designation)

You will need at least two labels for media items, and sometimes more. You can copy and paste the call information vertically below each label up to four times and separate them with scissors once they print out.