BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATION TO LIBRARY SERVICES

1. BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATION TO LIBRARY SERVICES I R N GOUDAR HEAD, ICAST NATIONAL AEROSPACE LABORATORIES BANGALORE-560017

2. BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY • It is an automatic identification technology • Bar code is a predefined format of dark bars and white spaces • Structured to contain a specific piece of information • It allows real-time data to be collected accurately and rapidly • Combination of barcode technology with computer and application software improves performance, productivity and profitability

3. Discrete Symbology

4. Continuous Symbology

5. MANUAL METHODS KEYBOARD OPERATION 1 ERROR/300 CHARACTERS AUTOMATIC METHODS OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION MAGNETIC INK MACHINE VISION RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION SMART CARDS BAR CODE DATA ENTRY TECHNIQUES

6. BENEFITS OF BAR CODING • REPRESENT UNIQUE IDENTITY OF A PRODUCT • ACCURACY OF DATA INPUT (ERROR FREE) • AID EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES AND INVENTORIES • LABOUR SAVINGS BY AVOIDING MANUAL SYSTEM

7. BENEFITS … • COST EFFICIENT • REAL TIME DATA COLLECTION • MEASUREMENT OF WORK IN PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE FACTORY • RAPID ACCESS TO TOTAL PRODUCTION COSTS • MORE ACCURATE DESPATCH

8. BAR CODE TERMINOLOGY • BAR - The darker, non reflective element of a Bar Code • BI-DIRECTIONAL SYMBOL - A Bar Code symbol format which permits reading in either direction across the bars and spaces • CHECK DIGIT - A calculated character included within the Bar Code for error detection • FIXED BEAM SCANNER - A stationary Bar Code Scanner. The symbol must be moved through the light beam to be read

9. TERMINOLOGY … • HAND-HELD SCANNER • A scanner held and operated by a human operator • INTER-CHARACTER GAP • The space between the bars or spaces • MOVING BEAM SCANNER • A Bar Code scanner that uses a moving light beam to dynamically scan and decode a Bar Code symbol

10. TERMINOLOGY … • SPACE • The lighter, reflective element of a Bar Code • START CHARACTER • A special pattern of bars and spaces used to identify the beginning of a Bar Code symbol • STOP CHARACTER • A special pattern of bars and spaces used to identify the end of a Bar Code symbol

11. Bar-code system

12. Thermal Transfer Printer

13. BAR CODE SCANNERS • A device used to extract information optically from a Bar Code • Bar Code symbol consists of series of vertical dark bars separated by light spaces • When illuminated reflected light is detected by electro optical sensor • The intensity of reflected light from the dark bars is less than that of spaces

14. SCANNERS … • Reflected light is converted into electrical voltage signals • Analog voltages are digitized into raw data • The decoder converts this data into the character data representation of the symbol’s code

15. TYPES OF SCANNERS (READERS) • CONTACT READERS • Must touch or come in close proximity of symbol • Good where the label cannot be placed in an easy-to-view position • Normally hand-held/stationary units • Common type is pen/wand reader • A high-density resolution wand used to read a low-density symbol might see an ink spot as bar or an ink void as a space

16. CONTACT READERS … • A low-resolution wand may not be able to recognise a narrow bar of high-density symbol • Positioned angle of wand to the surface and movement speed across the symbol are key parameters

17. Contact Readers

18. NON-CONTACT READERS • Reader need not come in contact with symbol • Scan distance may be from 6” to several feet depending upon symbol size and scanner design • Hand-held, fixed beam readers

19. Table mounted fixed beam reader

20. Table mounted fixed beam reader

21. Hand-Held moving beam readers

22. Fixed beam slot scanner

23. CCD Scanner

24. Portable Data Collection Equipment

25. BAR CODE APPLICATIONS • INVENTORY CONTROL • Portable readers • WORK-IN PROCESS TRACKING (WIP) COMPANY INVENTORY • Raw materials • WIP (Components, Assemblies, Semi finished Products) • Finished Products

26. APPLICATIONS … • SHIPPING • ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI) • Direct communication between computers of two companies (Manufacturer & Vendor) • Industry-wide EDI standards • Reduces cost and saves time of business transaction

27. APPLICATIONS … • RETAIL APPLICATIONS • Super markets • Counter-mounted Bar Code scanners • Universal Product Code (UPC) • Price and description information • WARE HOUSING • HEALTH CARE APPLICATIONS • Drugs, devices, instruments • Identification of expiry date • Blood banking • Blood group • Expiry date • Donor traceability

28. APPLICATIONS …

29. BAR CODING IN LIBRARIES • EFFECTIVE LIBRARY NEEDS EACH DOCUMENT BAR CODED • TWO LABELS PREFERABLY • LABEL TO CONTAIN • Accession number equivalent Bar Code • Call number • Institution logo advantageous • ISBN BAR CODE COULD BE USED

30. BARCODING IN LIBRARIES … • DATABASE PROGRAM LINKS THE BAR CODE TO BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS OF DOCUMENTS • AUTHORISED ID CARD INCLUDES BAR CODE • Card could be used by library • Institutional ID card • Social security number • BAR CODE READER INTERFACED TO COMPUTER • TRACKING OF BOOKS

31. INCORPORATING BAR CODE IN LIBRARIES • THE TYPICAL SEQUENCE WOULD BE • Database creation (OPAC) • Generate Bar Code for all transact able documents • Bar Code membership cards • Installation of suitable scanning equipment • Set different criteria for transactions

32. ADVANTAGES OF BAR CODE IN LIBRARIES • Quick and error free entry of access and membership codes • Ensures total integrity of collected data • No queuing up at check out/check in counters • Avoids piling up of data entry work for counter staff • Aids generation of suitable reminders to delinquent borrowers • Stock verification made easy

33. Thank You