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Salve!<br>
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library or library branch have a unique series of barcodes. If you are using an alphanumeric symbology such as Code 39 (also called Code 3 of 9) you can use the library or branch holding symbol as the prefix to the code. e.g. Sembeq, a small French Baptist Seminary has a holding symbol assigned by the National Libray of Canada of QMSB, and their barcodes start at QMSB00001. Patron Barcodes contain the student ID code that has letters from their last name and first initial followed by up to 4 digits.<br>
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This is interesting. Theoretically if Koha can handle an alphanumeric barcode, there isn't necessarily any problem. What I mean is that instead of retrospectively reapplying a jillion barcodes, you can simply assign the branches an A and B prefix. It doesn't take very long to type and as you said, the computer fix is very simple indeed. That is even if the hard copy on the book barcode read<br>
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1234 at branch A<br>
and <br>
1234 at branch B<br>
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You could make the computer hold<br>
A1234<br>
and<br>
B1234<br>
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and upon circulation, either type or have a check digit added to reflect the branch status. When books were swapped between branches, you would have to remember that. With the natural course of new acquisitions, which would have the proper barcode in hard copy on them, and weeding, where old books which did not would be discarded, it would eventually roll over. I do agree that the preferred method would certainly be to reapply proper barcodes, but this could be a quick fix if Koha will recognise alphanumerics.<br>
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Cheers,<br>
Brooke @ Hinsdale MA
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