Barcode advice please

Does LT read any barcoding other than Code 39? Considering using Amlib/Dynix coding, with appropriate laser scanner with memory, for when we get a real ILS (in dreamtime), so I only need to barcode stock once.

>1 SilverWattleQuaker:

LT doesn't directly read the barcodes. It just stores the barcode number you enter in the barcode field, the ability to read a particular type of barcode would be dependent on the scanner you are using. Then the scanner would just search for that barcode in your database, from when you entered it.

Hopefully some other members can confirm this but this is my understanding of it. I hope this helps you.

Many thanks. That is basically what the scanner retailers are telling me, but I preferred to check before committing resources to the project.

Barcode readers are an input device like a keyboard is an input device. 99% of the time, you aren't going to need a reader with internal memory. That's usually for running an inventory project. Readers that have internal memory have to be plugged into a computer (usually by USB), the file downloaded to the computer and then uploaded to whatever software. I'd recommend skipping the readers with internal memory - unless you have a huge library you are planning to run an inventory project on. Also, barcode readers come with a booklet that usually has various pages of barcodes that set options for the reader/scanner -- including adding a carriage return (aka enter on your keyboard), the various barcodes that can be read, etc.

I just purchased and received the barcodes that are offered through LT. I am excited to have them and am looking forward to adding them to my books. It will greatly ease the check in/out process all my books cataloged here are for my classroom library.

My question is: Where do you put your barcodes for those that use them?

I want to make it a uniform as possible for all of my books. I will be the one doing the check in/out process or another adult will.

I think it's important to decide how many books might get checked and how fast they need to be done. A sticker on the cover that can be scanned without opening the book is the least amount of effort and saves potential cover wear (if that's a concern). Doesn't look too nice though. Barcodes inside the book covers would keep them protected (hopefully) and look nicer, but after several books of open, scan, close, repeat, it can wear on the person doing it.

Everything I've worked with was on the front cover, beneath the protective plastic. It made things move pretty fast. Opening books to retrieve things could get annoying.

>5 wd40sw: We put ours on the bottom right corner on the back of the book. Away from other barcodes, and not over important text. Rarely we have to trim down the LT barcode label so it can fit in the space left after all the stuff on the back is deemed important. Then it's great the LT labels are so small!

The only time we don't use a barcode label protector is when the book has a dust jacket. All our dust jackets have or are getting mylar protectors, so those labels are already protected.

The library books that come from my publib usually have the barcode in the upper right on the back. Makes it easy to pull the book out some from the shelf, scan, press back into place when you run inventory.

Thanks for all your comments, including the "where to put the barcode labels". I plan to put them on top right hand corner on the back (hopefully avoiding most of the "important" information), to facilitate both circulation (when it happens), & inventories: with that aim in mind, I chose a scanner with memory, to make it much easier for a one person inventory. I'm still shuddering from a two person manual inventory completed several years ago!

I've recently borrowed quite a few books via ILL. Most of them has placed their barcodes on top of the ISBN number and barcode, i.e. lower right hand corner on the back. Only exceptions seems to be some who likes to place them prominently on the front cover.

I can see the case for the ISBN placement, since having only one barcode visible makes it hard to scan the wrong one :-)
Spoiling the front cover is not to my taste. (If I find out who started that, I'll wait and see if I can put a large barcode on the front of his tomb stone :-)