We are starting to look at the physical processing we do on material purchased for the library. One specific problem that has been highlighted is the placement of barcodes on the front cover of books. We are hearing it creates confusion with users of the RFID self check machines trying to angle the barcode under the scanner. At some stage we will revisit the need to have a barcode as well as an RFID tag but in the meantime it has been suggested we put the barcode in the inside of the back cover (like we used to). Please post your comments by the end of next week (23rd September). Thanks, Tim Stedman
When Encoding tags on new material it would mean you would have to find the barcode and hold each book open as you scan the barcode to encode the tag whilst the book rests on the encoding plate. This would make it a cumbersome and slow, double handed task with a trolley full of books.
Along the same lines as Judith’s comment: High Demand process a large volume of books in, out and between collections and loan periods. Hiding the barcode inside would add an incremental extra step in the workflow. Same for any process done away from a tag-reader-equipped desk.
Jack
I have just tried doing this with a large heavy volume and it was physically uncomfortable trying to support the weight of the book with my left hand holding it open whilst I held the scanner in my right hand. A good way to get RSI/OOS very very quickly.
Please keep the barcodes where they are – The borrowers will learn and I tell any when I’m helping them at the self-issue stations. We have to manually checkin lots of items using the barcode eg ‘found’ Missing-tracing, expired and cancelled holds, all high demand returns, items changing their location, storage items processed at the warehouse and so on,
Jenny A
If the processing were changed from now on, the majority of the collection for many years to come would still have barcodes on the front, causing the reported confusion.
Perhaps the CKO instructions should be reviewed and clarified instead?
John
I agree with everyone above. Can I also make the contraversial suggestion that we start applying booktape over the barcodes again. Without the protection of the tape, a lot of the high demand book barcodes are coming off or the print is worn off . Since we are not scanning as many book barcodes now I don’t think "readability" of barcodes with tape on them will be as much of an issue.
Does the position on the front cover matter now? Why place it over titles and subtitles etc if we are not using self issue machines which required it to be within a set area for scanning?
yes the position still matters for collection maintenance using orbital scanners for ease of handling – i.e. shouldn’t be in the middle of a cover. but templates don’t really need to be strictly adhered to anymore
I agreee with Judith -if there is no technical reason to continue placing barcodes over titles and subtitles, could they simply be placed some where discrete in the same general area of the cover?
Thanks for the comments. Library Support Services will continue to barcode on the front for now. The practice of barcoding at all may be discussed further and revisited in the light of RFID. Tim S