The repository at NPL has been active for well over 100 years, has integrated at least 8 different collections under one roof, sent out loaned specimens to every corner of the globe and has had every cataloging system from dip-pen written ledgers to state of the art networked databases. With such a rich history, things are bound to get misplaced from time to time. Oftentimes, it is as innocent as a specimen getting jostled out of its tray and landing in its neighbors. Missing specimens can also be a case of someone not putting a specimen moved label in the drawer, or taking a loan label away prematurely.
There are a couple of ways people come to discover signs of a missing specimen. First is during inventory. In these cases, the inventory lead will have a stack of blank labels. Please fill out all the fields, and use the back of the label for additional comments. Second is when you are in the collections pulling specimens for moving to another part of the collections, or going out on loan. In these cases it is preferable to use a printed label.
When you find yourself in need of one of these labels, the collection manager or project lead will show you where the blank labels are kept. Labels made 'on the fly' will be hand written by the person who discovered the missing specimen. Printed labels are used when possible and are designed to be folded in half, printing facing out, and put in a 2" X 3" zip bag.
