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<font face="Bookman Old Style">Nicole,<br>
<br>
If you want an identifying sequence of numbers that some barcode
symbologies use, there is actually a barcode registry for the usual
4-digit identifying number. Dating back to the early days of CLSI, it
is now maintained by Thor <<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.thor.com">www.thor.com</a>>, the folks that bought
Geac and turned it into the Vubis Smart, Integrated Library System.
Anyway, they maintain a registry of the 4-digit identifier numbers --
who has what where, etc. Unfortunately and ironically, the registry is
still kept in a book and not accessible to anyone except them. You can
call 800-765-4658 and submit your desired number. They will check the
registry and tell you if the number is already assigned or not and to
whom. Given that there are only 9999 unique numbers in this scheme,
many numbers are already taken. <br>
<br>
The original purpose of the registry was to help folks have unique
numbers to aid getting ILL items back to the right library. However,
we have found that even keeping track of what libraries are using in
our state helps, as do barcodes with library names on them that many
now use. In our consortium, we starting using the last four digits of
the library's SAN number. That won't work nationwide but so far it has
worked for us. If a number is in use, you can decide if you are
perhaps geographically different enough to go ahead and use that number.<br>
<br>
And where do patron barcodes come from? From the same place item
barcodes come from. You can buy and/or create matching item and patron
barcodes once you have your pattern, i.e. patron numbers all start with
"2" and item numbers all start with "3", the next four digits are your
identifier, then fill 0s as needed for the length of the barcode
sequence, the accession number and maybe a check digit. We've found
Koha will take pretty much anything. It's the library that needs the
pattern and the organization.<br>
<br>
Don't know if this is TMI but the registry might be useful for some.<br>
<br>
Best,<br>
<br>
Becki <br>
</font>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="80">---
Becki Whitaker
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS)
6202 Morenci Trail
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317-298-6570 x106 / 800-733-1899 (IN only) / fax: 317-328-2380
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:whitakerb@mcls.org">whitakerb@mcls.org</a> / <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.mcls.org">www.mcls.org</a> / scion.incolsa.net
</pre>
<br>
<br>
Nicole Engard wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:d35b50d41002230907o5fe8a868v789fbc4ab18dafbe@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Hi all,
Got a question today that I never thought about before ... but it's a
good one -- Where do patron barcodes come from? How do they know
where to start? And how do they know how to increment?
The answer will of course go in the manual for others to learn from.
Thanks
Nicole
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</pre>
</blockquote>
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