We have recently dealt with a similar situation. We have artifact,
archival, and library collections. Our library is a non-circulating
research library, and earlier this year we implemented Past Perfect.
Library materials have always been accessioned in a way similar to
artifacts. In the past, library donations were given a regular accession
number with an "L" prefix for library. This got confusing for several
reasons, one of which was that "L" is a common museum prefix for loans.
(so I wouldn't recommend that type of numbering system) Anyway, a few
years ago the prefixes were done away with entirely and plain accession
numbers were used for each and every new acquisition, whether it was
library, archival or artifact. Earlier this year we fine-tuned this
further and we now assign library books accession numbers in the same
way we do for all other acquisitions, except that library materials are
effectively treated as part of our use collection (i.e. education
collection). This way, if we need to weed the library of duplicate
copies or books that are no longer directly related to our mission, we
will not need to go through a formal deaccession process. We are trying
to balance the processes of a professionally-run library versus a
professionally-run museum. Unlike a public library, we want to be able
to track the source of each and every donation - each and every book.
After putting several heads together, this was the best system we could
come up with. It's not perfect, but it seems to be working so far. We do
not have any issues with confusing the accession number on a library
book with its call number. We use the Dewey Decimal system, which looks
very different format-wise from most accession numbering systems. I
could see the LOC system POSSIBLY looking a little more like an
accession number, but even so, as long as you put the right number into
the right field in Past Perfect there should still be little room for
confusion. We mark our library books with the accession number on the
inside front cover or verso with pencil, then use a standard spine label
for the call number. 

Hope this is helpful. If you are interested in more specifics, feel free
to contact me off list. 

Cristin J. Waterbury
Registrar/Collections Manager
Wisconsin Maritime Museum

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