[Michlib-l] Library Unique 4-Digit Identifier

Tue Jan 17 10:34:19 EST 2017

Thanks.  I have an email out to Infor.  Looks like they stopped a couple years ago.  Seeing if they have interest in letting us take over, for those that do want to register.  There are the limits, as noted below.

-Steve

________________________________
From: LLC Sheryl Vanderwagon <sheryl at llcoop.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 10:32 AM
To: Steven Bowers; michlib-l at mcls.org
Subject: RE: [Michlib-l] Library Unique 4-Digit Identifier

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<mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org>> on behalf of LLC Sheryl Vanderwagon <sheryl at llcoop.org<mailto:sheryl at llcoop.org>>
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 10:23 AM
To: michlib-l at mcls.org<mailto: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<mailto:sheryl at llcoop.org>

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org>> on behalf of T.A. Cutler Memorial Library <CutlerLibrary at live.com<mailto:CutlerLibrary at live.com>>
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2017 3:07 PM
To: michlib-l at mcls.org<mailto: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<mailto: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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