----------------------------Original message---------------------------- To: MNHAN063--SIVM From: Johanna Humphrey Subject: Object marking (permanent or not?) & attachment of bar code label The AAM Registrar's Committee sponsored a workshop on marking collections during the 1997 conference in Atlanta. Topics covered included labels, attachments, pens, inks and barcodes. A sourcebook was produced containing articles on these topics. Contact the Committee or the workshop Chair (Marianna Munyer, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Fax:217-785-8117, tel: 217-785 5056) for information on obtaining a copy. I highly recommend this manual-particularly because it contains Helen Alten's excellent review of materials and products used for "marking" objects. As for attaching barcode labels, the Department of Anthropology, Smithsonian Institution barcoded the collections (about two millon items) as part of our move to a new storage facility. We related the barcode tag to the artifact in a variety o f ways, depending on the type of artifact: archival string tags tied onto the item, as a gummed label placed on the outside of a box, placed in a box with the item, in a zip lock bag with the item, on a synthetic "sleeve" slipped over the shaft of a spear etc... These labels are considered supplemental, for tracking and inventorying the artifacts, and DO NOT replace writing the number on the artifact itself. If the label is misplaced, the artifact may still be identified by the "permanent" number on the artifact. Johanna Humphrey Collections Data Manager Anthropology Dept National Museum of Natural History Smihsonian Institution [log in to unmask]