Why not in those instances just make adding the barcode the last thing you do on the form?
Unfortunately this solution only works if you've only got one barcode entry field. I know some libraries are scanning the library card both under card number and something else--opac login maybe?
Doesn't the library need to programme each barcode reader to send an "enter" command? That should mean that they can control the behaviour?
That's true, but since the most often-used function of a barcode scanner will be for checkouts and check-ins it's not practical to eliminate the "enter" from the scanner. Even our catalogers spend a fair amount of time checking in items since they help fulfill reserves on newly-arrived items. I hope I'm not coming off as being argumentative here, I'm just trying lay out the pros and cons. -- Owen -- Web Developer Athens County Public Libraries http://www.myacpl.org