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Application of Bar Code Technology in Libraries: Mukesh A Pund Scientist, NISCAIR New Delhi

Barcodes are used widely in libraries to encode identifying information about books and members in a machine-readable format using various symbologies like EAN, UPC, and Code 39. This allows for faster and more accurate checking books in and out by scanning barcodes rather than manual entry. The benefits of using barcodes in libraries include minimizing retrieval time, eliminating human errors, and providing more timely information for tracking books and members.

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Mahesh Holla
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91 views

Application of Bar Code Technology in Libraries: Mukesh A Pund Scientist, NISCAIR New Delhi

Barcodes are used widely in libraries to encode identifying information about books and members in a machine-readable format using various symbologies like EAN, UPC, and Code 39. This allows for faster and more accurate checking books in and out by scanning barcodes rather than manual entry. The benefits of using barcodes in libraries include minimizing retrieval time, eliminating human errors, and providing more timely information for tracking books and members.

Uploaded by

Mahesh Holla
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Application of Bar Code

Technology In Libraries

Mukesh A Pund
Scientist, NISCAIR
New Delhi
What is Bar Code?
Barcodes are simply a set of symbols used to
represent alpha-numeric information instead of
seing a number “1”, or letter “A”, you would see a
series of black and white bars in various
combinations and in different width; which are
used to encode data. The data encoded in such
bars can be decoded again to represent it in human
readable form.
Why to use Bar Codes?
 Easy Decoding: Ones the data is encoded in terms of
barcodes, whenever required, it can be easily decoded with the
help of barcode readers / barcode scanners.
 Minimises Retrieval time: Do not require re-entering the
data thus minimises the time required for retrieving and storing
information.
 High Accuracy: Nearly100% accuracy which is not possible
for Human operator.
 Timely feedback: Bar coding promotes timely feedback in
that data is captured in real-time enabling decisions to be made
from current information.
Application Areas
Barcodes can be used in almost all areas / fields
wherever computers are used eg.
– Industries : Products which is identified by unique
product Identification number, goes through different
stages. Barcode can be generated for product Id no.
which latter on use for automatic identification, and for
inventory control.
– Public Sectors:
 Telecom
 Banking etc.
Application Areas
– Publications and Libraries:
Bar codes have proven the very useful technology in
Libaries and publications for following benefits.
Transportation
Benefits of Bar codes:

– Borrowing and returning of books will be matter of


seconds.
– Since each member will have a uniquely barcoded
library card, the risk of mistaken identity will be
avoided.
– Human errors will be virtually eliminated.
– More accurate follow-up on overdue books.
– Borrowing/Returning operation are faster.
– Reconciliation of stocks.
Hardware and Software
Requirements
 Printer
– Dot Matrix Printer
– Inkjet/ Deskjett
– Thermal
– Laser Jet
 Barcode Scanner
– CCD
– Laser
 Portable Data Terminal
– For on the shelve stock verification.
 Software for Generating Bar Codes
– For designing the Bar Code labels.
Bar Code Symbologies
 EAN/UPC (Numeric Only)
– These are the bar codes commonly used for grocery items in the
supermarkets. EAN refer to European Article Number and is used
in Europe whereas UPC refers to Universal product code, being
used in USA.
– There are two main types of EAN bar codes:EAN-8 which
encodes eight digits and EAN-13 which encodes 13 digits. EAN
can only encode numbers, not alphabets.
– UPC Codes, to the untrained eye, look almost exactly the same as
EAN codes but only encode 12 digits ( UPC-A) or 6 digits (UPC-
E).
Bar Code Symbologies
 INTERLEAVED 2 OF 5 (Numeric Only)
– Another type of bar code is known as INTERLEAVED 2 OF 5 or
ITF. Like EAN it is numeric only code but it can be of variable
length. The only limiting factor to the length of an ITF code is the
capabilities of the reader that will be used to read the code and also
that ITF must have an even number of digits.
– ITF is used for industrial applications where a numeric only code is
sufficient and it is also used in the retail environment for OUTER
CASE marking.
Bar Code Symbologies
 CODE 39 (Alpha Numeric)
CODE 39, also known as code 3 of 9, is the first code examined which
is alpha and numeric. The code can be of any length and all the capital
letters of the alphabet can be encoded, as well as numerics and
additional characters of - . $ / + % * and space. Lower case letters
cannot be encoded.
Code 39 is always started and finished with an asterisk, known as the
start/stop character and it may only be used at the beginning and end
of the code.
Bar Code Symbologies
 CODE 128 (Alpha Numeric)
Code 128, becoming more popular. Can encode both upper and lower
case letters, as well as numeric and most of the characters seen on a
typewriter keyboard.

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