Due to the change in formulation to Scotch removable tape to become wall-safe tape, there have been repeated reports of materials being damaged by the removal of notes, transit labels, and cataloging slips. SHARE and IHLS no longer recommend Scotch wall-safe tape, following damage reports and communications with the manufacturer indicating that they do not recommend it for paper products.
Following these reports and communications, SHARE staff tested a variety of possible tape options and identified one we will recommend to SHARE and IHLS members for use on notes, transit slips, and cataloging slips.
The following tapes were tested extensively, with testing focused on ease of removal and damage to items after different periods of time on an item, temperature changes to reflect seasonal changes, and differences in texture of cover materials.
- Original Removable Tape
- Artist Tape
- Removable Tape (Uline)
- Washi Tape
- Highlighter Tape
- Low Tack Tape
Damage to items upon removal of the different tapes was rated on a scale from 1 (no/barely any noticeable damage) to 5 (unlikely to circulate). Tape was added to items and then removed after approximately 4-6 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, travel in tubs via delivery, and placed in a freezer for at least 24 hours. Ease of removal was also tested following the same process and was graded on a scale from 1 (comes off very easily/no effort) to 5 (almost or is impossible to remove). New tape was applied after each removal and placed in different locations. The following chart shows average damage and ease of removal across all tests.
|
Tape |
Average Damage |
Ease of Removal |
|---|---|---|
|
Original Removable Tape |
1.20 |
1.278 |
|
Artist Tape |
1.27 |
1.167 |
|
Removable Tape (Uline) |
2.38 |
2.752 |
|
Washi Tape |
1.88 |
1.491 |
|
Highlighter Tape |
1.16 |
1.102 |
|
Low Tack Tape |
1.61 |
1.456 |
Following these tests, SHARE recommends that libraries utilize highlighter tape for notes, cataloging transit slips, and delivery transit slips. This recommendation does not mean damage will never occur, and libraries should still follow best practices regarding tape on paper items.
- Use only what is required to hold a slip on the item.
- If the item is fragile, unique, of historical value, etc., consider using a paper band around the item, and then taping the slip to the paper band.
- If your library does not have removable tape, it is acceptable to tape your label to a rubber band around the item as long as this item is NOT being loaned from a SHARE member to a SHARE member.
- For normal delivery between SHARE libraries, transit slips are no longer required. You can find instructions for turning off transit labels at this link: Turning off transit labels.
The following highlighter tapes have been tested either initially or in comparison to the original test tape.
Tested in initial testing: