Hello Laurie These questions probably stem from the library convention of formatting barcodes as described below. These desgnations are not needed in Koha, where a barcode is just a number with no special significance. However, if you have been printing your own barcodes the best thing would be to order barcodes with the same type and pattern as those you are already using. If in doubt, send a sample (clear photocopy) to the supplier and ask them to help you. Brodart staff will have lots of experience. <snipped from http://www.barcodediscount.com/solutions/library-labeling.htm> In library applications, CODABAR generally consists of a string of 14 digits: * The first digit represents a patron or item. For example, a first digit of '2' tells the Library Management System software that a patron number is being scanned; the number '3' signifies that an item is being scanned. * The next four digits (digits 2 through 5) are the institutional identifier. For example, the library might use the last four digits of its telephone number or the last four digits in its extended nine-digit ZIP code. * The next eight digits (digits 6 through 13) define the sequence ID number. Most smart barcode sequences begin with the number 1 (i.e., 00000001). * The final digit (digit 14) is a check digit used to verify that the barcode number has been scanned accurately. An eye-readable form of the item number is usually printed beneath the scannable number. To improve human readability, spaces are inserted between digits 1 and 2, 5 and 6, and 10 and 11. CODE 39 may contain fewer than 14 characters. For example, in a ten digit number: * The first digit indicates whether the code represents a patron or an item * The next 2 digits define the institutional identifier * The last 7 digits identify the applicable code. While in theory Code 39 applications do not require a check digit, in practice many do add a check digit. Alpha characters can be used with Code 39 but they should be avoided if possible. Both Codabar and Code 39 permit bi-directional scanning. HTH Agnes Laurie Henry wrote:
I’ve decided to order barcode labels for our items rather than print them out ourselves. The Brodart form asks some questions I’m not sure how to answer.
Should we use a specific code (such as 2 or 3 or P or T) to identify a Patron or Item bar code?
Does our circulation software use an “Assigned Library Number” unique to our library?
Is a “Check Digit” required for our circulation software? If yes, what modulus are check digit (if known)?
I’d appreciate any guidance/feedback on this. My impulse is to answer “No” to everything, but my impulses have been wrong before.
Thank you.
Laurie Henry, MFA, MSLS
Regional Librarian
Southwestern College
Ohio & Northern Kentucky
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