How to Catalogue Tapes & Set Up a Lending Library

Gather all tapes to begin the labeling process. Typing the label information assures legibility and that you maintain a computer copy of each label for future use.

Decide on label contents such as title, author or artist and tape's date. Each label should contain your contact information, such as "From the library of Name and phone number or email address." Place the catalog number, letter or color code in a corner. Even for downloaded, computerized catalog systems, you need to decide on the label information needed for your library.

Write or type each label for each tape. If you type the labels in a word processing program or buy a computerized catalog, you will have to input data only once, unlike handwritten labels.

Create a form for the lender's contact information, which should include first and last name, address, phone, email address and date lent. If you eschew the computer, complete by hand index cards with this information.

Join an online lending community or download computer programs if you do not want to handwrite or manually index and establish the library. Two indexing software programs include Gcstar.org and Koha.org. You must input your tape collection's data into templates already provided. For example, Neighborrow.com permits patrons to list all available items for lending among a small group so you do not have to keep track of tapes.

Create a flyer to advertise the lending library. The flyer needs to detail how the lender will obtain the tapes---in person at a specific address, date and time or by mail. Also, the flyer should tell the lender where to return the tape. Post the flyer where your lenders gather. Email the flyer to the intended audience.