How to replace damaged or lost media cover artwork?

Question

Our local library has a problem with damaged or missing cover artwork on media such as audio books, audio CDs, and DVD movies.

They typically look for replacement artwork online and print new copies to insert in media cases. However this is time consuming and often results in poor quality images if any are found at all.

I suggested that they:

• contact publishers to see if new art can be emailed directly to the library
• make a policy of only distributing photocopies of artwork rather than original; keep the originals in filing cabinets
• charge patrons for damaging cover artwork (they do not currently do this)

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Questions:

1. Is there a generally accepted method of maintaining cover artwork for these items?

2. What methods should libraries use to repair artwork?

3. And finally, how can libraries better deter patrons from damaging or losing artwork?

Answer 1

1. We order a copy of the same title from another library and copy that cover, to ensure that it is as close as possible. It also works out to be less time-consuming. The idea of contacting the publisher is good, but it depends on the publisher and whether they are easy to contact and how helpful they are.

2. If the insert can be invisibly repaired from the back, we use the relevant tapes etc, to do so.

3. There is no way to deter people. We charge for damage, but this is not a deterrent, but a means of partial cost recovery. Most damage is accidental anyway.

As for your suggestions - keeping the originals and sending out copies with the item sounds even more time consuming, depending on how many inserts are being damaged.