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Date:         Wed, 29 Jan 1997 16:58:37 -0600
From:         Tom Craig <tom@UTHCT.EDU>

We are planning to convert from OCR-A labels to barcode labels for our
individual books and journal issues/volumes.  The commercially-produced
barcode samples that we have been evaluating are in Codabar format, so we
programmed our Caere 833 barcode/OCR reader for that format, and testing was
successful.

However, we also tried scanning the SISAC barcodes that are pre-printed on
some journal issues.  Our attempts to scan the SISAC barcodes were
unsuccessful, so I am assuming that these barcodes are in Code 39 or some
other format besides Codabar.  I scanned barcodes on journals from at least
5 different publishers, with no success.  The journal covers that the
barcode are printed on range from a matte finish to a very shiny gloss, with
background varying from white to light gray, to tan.

If anyone else has tried this and/or knows what barcode format is printed on
journal issues (if in fact there is a standard being used), I would
appreciate a reply.  Please reply to me, not to the list.  I'll summarize if
there is interest.  Thanks in advance.

*********************************************
Thomas B. Craig, M.S.L.S.
Assistant to the Director of Library Services
Watson W. Wise Medical Research Library
University of Texas Health Center at Tyler
tom@uthct.edu
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