[OPEN-ILS-DEV] barcodes

[Brandon W. Uhlman]

Hello, Raymond.

There is no functionality built in to Evergreen for either printing  
barcodes, or autogenerating barcode numbers for new acquisitions.  
Third party software exists to print barcodes, but most libraries have  
barcodes professionally printed by vendors who specialize in barcode  
printing.

I noticed YPOW is located in Minnesota. A Google search for 'barcode  
printers minnesota' came across at least one such company, Symbology  
(symbology.com), located in Minneapolis. I've never had any dealings  
with them, so I can't comment on the company other than to say that  
most libraries turn to companies like them to get professionally  
printed barcodes. A local public or college library may also be able  
to point you to a vendor with whom they have experience.

In Evergreen, both patron and item barcodes are stored as strings, so  
there is no practical limit to the format of your barcodes, other than  
the ability of your scanner to read them. Most libraries use 14-digit  
barcodes encoded using the Codabar symbology, where patron barcodes  
begin with 2, item barcodes with 3, and the next four digits are  
uniquely assigned to individual libraries by a coordinating agency. In  
Minnesota, MINITEX appears to be that coordinating agency  
[http://nslc.pbworks.com/Barcode-Short+Site+Names]. Hopefully, they  
will be able to provide you with more information.

Good luck!

Brandon

Quoting Raymond Norton <admin at lctn.org>:

> I am familiarizing myself with how to properly setup a production
> evergreen server. I know nothing about producing barcodes for patrons
> and books. Are the barcodes produced via a third party software, or
> somewhere within evergreen? Is there a standard that must be adhered to
> so evergreen can utilize the barcodes, if they are produced via a third
> party?

======================================
Brandon W. Uhlman, Systems Consultant
Public Library Services Branch
British Columbia Ministry of Education
Vancouver, BC (and Lillooet, BC)

Phone: (604) 660-2972 or (250) 256-0336
E-mail: brandon.uhlman at gov.bc.ca
         brandon.uhlman at bclibrary.ca