---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 13:35:22 -0600
From: Dan Lester <dan@riverofdata.com>
Subject: Re: Bar coding serials (Chris Brown-Syed)

Here is what works at Boise State University.

All bound volumes (monograph and serial) are barcoded.  We do NOT
barcode individual unbound issues of journals.  Therefore, there is
NOT a problem of what to do about the 4 or 12 barcodes when you bind
it. Each current title has a shelf/bin (arranged in alphabetical
order) in a current periodicals area.  The label on the front of the
shelf gives the title, the call number of the bound volumes, and a
barcode for the current issues of the title.  When a student assistant
picks up an issue of XZY Monthly, she puts it back and at the same
time "zaps" the barcode on the shelf to record the usage.  When
"pickup person" collects seven issues of Sports Illustrated, he simply
zaps the barcode seven times with his barcode reader gun.

We don't think there's really any reason to worry about WHICH current
issue was used, although the overall usage is of interest.  And, when
you think about it, you never know which individual issue was used in
a bound volume, either, so you've not really lost anything by the
consolidated statistics on current issues.

We also scan barcodes on all other books picked up in the building, in
order to record "in house use" (as opposed to "out house use", I
suppose).

It works well for us.

cheers

dan

--
Dan Lester, Data Wrangler  dan@RiverOfData.com
3577 East Pecan, Boise, Idaho  83716-7115 USA
www.riverofdata.com  www.postcard.org  www.gailndan.com