This is an attempt to standardize our treatment of looseleaf materials, which usually need some special processing decisions. For guidelines on cataloging looseleaf publications see LC's Cataloging Rules for the Description of Looseleaf Publications, 2nd ed. Decisions on location, binding and details of bibliographic description are based primarily on whether or not.the looseleaf will need updating.

LOOSELEAF TO BE UPDATED

We try to house a looseleaf that needs updating in either a departmental library or in Reference to ensure that someone will be filing future updates. Always send these on with a "Do not bind" slip. The collation is "__ v. (looseleaf)", the date is left open, and the size is the size of the binder. 

If the item must go to the Main stacks, we assume that it will not be further updated:  

1) If it is in a sturdy hardcover post binder and would be very expensive to bind, send it on as is with a "Do not bind" slip.  Close the no. of vols. and the dates and record the size of the binder in the collation. Add the note "Updated through [date or update no.]". There are some additional cases in which the binder is not especially sturdy but the pages are in bad condition and would be difficult to bind (often this is a transfer). Leave them in whatever binder they're in and send the item to Wilson Annex, otherwise cataloging it as described above. 

2) If it is in an average 3-ring binder and the pages are in good condition, remove the pages and send them on to be bound, held together with rubber bands or an envelope with the usual inscription and "yellow slip." If the pages are in bad condition and the item would be hard to bind, see procedure 1 above. Close the no. of vols. and the dates and record the size of the unbound pages in the collation. Add the note "Updated through [date or update no.]". In addition, add the 049 field note: [#x Bound].  

The 3-ring binder can be put on the binder recycle shelf on the gray shelves above the DRA terminals.

LOOSELEAF WITHOUT UPDATES

This is more or less equivalent to an unbound book, and, if it is designated for Main stacks, again consider the binding.

1) Usually it will have an average 3-ring binder, so remove the pages and send them on to be bound, inscribed and with "yellow slip." The collation specifies the number of pages without the qualifier "(looseleaf)" (which is used only for items that are open entry and intended for updating), and the size is the size of the unbound pages. Add the note "Issued in looseleaf binder." The binder can go on our recycle shelf above the DRA terminals.

2) Rarely, an item will come in a sturdy hardcover post binder even when no updates are expected. Send it on as is with a "Do not bind" slip. The collation specifies the number of pages without the qualifier "(looseleaf)", (which is used only for items that are open entry and intended for updating),and the size is the size of the binder. Add the note "Issued in looseleaf binder." 
For a departmental library looseleaf, always send with "Do not bind" slip (or call the library for a binding decision). Some materials are intended for lab or field use where a book that stays flat is helpful so the departmental library should make the final decision.