[Michlib-l] Library Unique 4-Digit Identifier

Tue Jan 17 10:32:08 EST 2017

I went searching and found this reference on the ALA website:

http://www.ala.org/tools/bar-codes-libraries:

Question: Is there a standard library barcode identification system?

Answer: The short answer is "no".  There are many barcode
<http://wikis.ala.org/professionaltips/index.php/Bar_Codes>  registries,
including one called the "National Barcode Registry". However, this registry
only contains a fraction of all library barcodes in the United States and
Canada, mostly those libraries that formerly used a system called GEAC,
which is now maintained by Infor. You can still obtain a new, unique prefix
assignment from this company, but you need to call them, as the service is
not available online.

There are several types of barcodes
<http://www.makebarcode.com/specs/speclist.html>  in use in libraries, as
well as RFID <http://wikis.ala.org/professionaltips/index.php/RFID> . In
most libraries, the first digit of the barcode indicates whether the code is
for a patron or an item.  The next4 digits are the library identifier.
Since there are only 9,999 variations to this 4 digit ID, and there are many
more libraries than that in the US alone, there is bound to be some overlap
of these codes.

Sheryl VanderWagen

ILS Manager

Lakeland Library Cooperative

4138 3 Mile Rd NW

Grand Rapids MI 49534-1134

(616)559-5253 x210 (Phone) 616-559-4329 (Fax)

(616)559-9111 (Lakeland Help Line)

sheryl at llcoop.org

From: Steven Bowers [mailto:sbowers at wayne.edu] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 10:25 AM
To: LLC Sheryl Vanderwagon; michlib-l at mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Library Unique 4-Digit Identifier

Thanks for confirming.  I will try to track down a new number, if one still
exists!  I'll let everyone know.

-Steve

  _____  

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> on behalf of
LLC Sheryl Vanderwagon <sheryl at llcoop.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 10:23 AM
To: michlib-l at mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Library Unique 4-Digit Identifier 

Hi Everyone - since we are doing the same thing here in Lakeland with a new
member library. I called the 1-800 listed on the DALNET website.  I got a
library helpdesk located in Toronto, Canada and they are not a "national
barcode registry".  She had already received one phone call this morning, I
was her second.  I told her I would post to this listserv and let you know
that that number has an error or no longer exists and has been assigned
elsewhere.

Thanks everyone.

Sheryl VanderWagen

ILS Manager

Lakeland Library Cooperative

4138 3 Mile Rd NW

Grand Rapids MI 49534-1134

(616)559-5253 x210 (Phone) 616-559-4329 (Fax)

(616)559-9111 (Lakeland Help Line)

sheryl at llcoop.org

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org] On
Behalf Of Steven Bowers
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 8:41 AM
To: T.A. Cutler Memorial Library; michlib-l at mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Library Unique 4-Digit Identifier

Did the sponsoring company tell you there is no longer a national registry?
I hope there still is.  Here is the information we last had for contact:

https://dalnetconsortium.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/national-barcode-registry/

Please let me know if they wont do it anymore.

-Steve

  _____  

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> on behalf of
T.A. Cutler Memorial Library <CutlerLibrary at live.com>
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2017 3:07 PM
To: michlib-l at mcls.org
Subject: [Michlib-l] Library Unique 4-Digit Identifier 

Hello,

We are planning to migrate from a 5- to 7-digit alpha-numeric barcode for
patron accounts and item records to the standard 14-digit numeric barcode. 

I'm hoping to find a unique (or relatively unique) 4-digit identifier. Since
I've been told there isn't a national registry for this anymore, I thought
I'd just check with all of you on the listserv whether your library uses any
of the following three combinations as your library's code:

5141

2077

4380

If you use one of those four (or know a library that does), please let me
know. Please reply off-list to cutlerlibrary at live.com ??

Also, if you have a supplier you love for barcodes/library cards, could you
please share that information. 

Lastly, do you use a check-digit in your barcode and if so, which symbology
do you use?

Thank you very much!

Jessica Little

Library Director

T.A. Cutler Memorial Library
312 Michigan Ave.
Saint Louis, Michigan  48880

(989) 681-5141

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