1. Barcoding Dr. S L Sangam Professor, Department of Library & Information Science, Department of Library & Information Science, Karnatak University Dharwad.

2. Introduction Among various library technologies available in computerized library and information centers, Barcode technology is one of them. Among various library technologies available in computerized library and information centers, Barcode technology is one of them. This technology plays a vital role in automating the functions of library. This technology plays a vital role in automating the functions of library. Now-a – days we see black and white thin and thick strips on international books and magazines. These black and strips are known as barcode. Now-a – days we see black and white thin and thick strips on international books and magazines. These black and strips are known as barcode. Barcode Technology embodies a technique that can go hand-in-hand with automation in identifying, locating and tracking all the bewildering data. Barcode Technology embodies a technique that can go hand-in-hand with automation in identifying, locating and tracking all the bewildering data.

3. HISTORY OF BARCODE In 1932 Wallace Flint started a project at the Harward University Graduate School of Business Administration to better automation customer purchasing. In 1932 Wallace Flint started a project at the Harward University Graduate School of Business Administration to better automation customer purchasing. As punch cards were all the rage at the time, the system they envisioned used a catalogue of items with corresponding punch cards for each one. But the customer would hand the cards to a clerk who loads them into a reader. As punch cards were all the rage at the time, the system they envisioned used a catalogue of items with corresponding punch cards for each one. But the customer would hand the cards to a clerk who loads them into a reader. The item would then be found and retrieved from a fully automated warehouse. An itemized bill was automatically produced. The item would then be found and retrieved from a fully automated warehouse. An itemized bill was automatically produced.

4. MEANING AND DEFINITIONS Barcodes are a patterns of bars and spaces of varying widths that represented digits, letters or other punctuation symbols to identify an item or object. Barcodes are a patterns of bars and spaces of varying widths that represented digits, letters or other punctuation symbols to identify an item or object. Barcode by itself is not a system but an identification tool that provides an accurate and timely support of the data requirement for sophisticated management systems. Barcode by itself is not a system but an identification tool that provides an accurate and timely support of the data requirement for sophisticated management systems. Barcode usage increases accuracy in data collection saves time and improves efficiency in library activities. The barcode system consists of the following equipments Barcode usage increases accuracy in data collection saves time and improves efficiency in library activities. The barcode system consists of the following equipments

5. Definitions A device for electronic data capture. Normally represented as a series of blank vertical lines. A device for electronic data capture. Normally represented as a series of blank vertical lines. www.abbeymarketing.com/derect mail gloss ary.html www.abbeymarketing.com/derect mail gloss ary.htmlwww.abbeymarketing.com/derect mail gloss ary.htmlwww.abbeymarketing.com/derect mail gloss ary.html A barcode is a machine readable parallel bars or concentric circles, varying in width, spacing or height, encoding information according to a symbology. A barcode is a machine readable parallel bars or concentric circles, varying in width, spacing or height, encoding information according to a symbology. www.wiktionary.org/wiki/barcode www.wiktionary.org/wiki/barcodewww.wiktionary.org/wiki/barcode A sequence of machine-readable lines of varying widths which contain data. Barcodes can be used to facilitate automatic indexing. A sequence of machine-readable lines of varying widths which contain data. Barcodes can be used to facilitate automatic indexing. www.recordpro.net/pages/education2.html www.recordpro.net/pages/education2.htmlwww.recordpro.net/pages/education2.html

6. The row of thick and thin vertical bars, Often with numbers, that can be read by a computer. You use the barcode numbers on your SUNY card to access certain databases. www.ibrary.albany.edu/users/basics/libtem. html The row of thick and thin vertical bars, Often with numbers, that can be read by a computer. You use the barcode numbers on your SUNY card to access certain databases. www.ibrary.albany.edu/users/basics/libtem. html www.ibrary.albany.edu/users/basics/libtem. html www.ibrary.albany.edu/users/basics/libtem. html The code the 14-digit number appearing on the beginning or end papers of a book. The barcode is used to charge, discharging and renew books on. ww.uakron.edu/library/instruction/glossary. html The code the 14-digit number appearing on the beginning or end papers of a book. The barcode is used to charge, discharging and renew books on. ww.uakron.edu/library/instruction/glossary. html ww.uakron.edu/library/instruction/glossary. html ww.uakron.edu/library/instruction/glossary. html

7. TYPES OF BARCODES The symbology is a language used to represent or arrange the bars and spaces. It defines the technical details of a particular type of barcode the width of bars, character set, method of encoding, checksum specifications etc. The symbology is a language used to represent or arrange the bars and spaces. It defines the technical details of a particular type of barcode the width of bars, character set, method of encoding, checksum specifications etc. Since this arrangement can be varied to suit the different applications there evolved a number pf symbololies over the year. There are more than fifty different coding symbologies. Since this arrangement can be varied to suit the different applications there evolved a number pf symbololies over the year. There are more than fifty different coding symbologies.

8. i. Universal Product Code (UPC): It is fixed length numeric US standard to encode only the digits. It is in two variations: UPC-A to encode 12 digits and UPC-E to encode 6 digits. It is fixed length numeric US standard to encode only the digits. It is in two variations: UPC-A to encode 12 digits and UPC-E to encode 6 digits.

9. ii. European Article Number (EAN): The European Article Number is a super most of the UPC and encoded digits. It available in two variations: EAN 8 to encode 8 digits and EAN 13 to encode 13 digits. The European Article Number is a super most of the UPC and encoded digits. It available in two variations: EAN 8 to encode 8 digits and EAN 13 to encode 13 digits.

10. iii. Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF): It is a continuous self-checking symbology that support only numeric characters but can be used for various lengths. Each character has five bars and five spaces. It starts and stops with a unique start stop character. It is a continuous self-checking symbology that support only numeric characters but can be used for various lengths. Each character has five bars and five spaces. It starts and stops with a unique start stop character.

11. iv. Code 39: It is also known as code 3 of 9 and a discrete self-checking alphanumeric symbology of variable length that encodes capital alphabets, numerical and few special characters like $, +, /, *. It always starts and ends with an asterik *, known as start/ stop character. In this symbology five bars and four spaces are used to encode an individual character. It is also known as code 3 of 9 and a discrete self-checking alphanumeric symbology of variable length that encodes capital alphabets, numerical and few special characters like $, +, /, *. It always starts and ends with an asterik *, known as start/ stop character. In this symbology five bars and four spaces are used to encode an individual character.

12. V. Code 128 It is a continuous alphanumeric symbology of variable length encoding full 128 ASCII Character set. Every symbol starts and stops with a unique start/ stop character. It is a continuous alphanumeric symbology of variable length encoding full 128 ASCII Character set. Every symbol starts and stops with a unique start/ stop character.

13. HOW BARCODE WORKS ? Barcodes are a fast, easy and accurate way of entering data. Think of them as another way of writing since they replace key-DATA entry as a method of gathering data. Barcodes are a fast, easy and accurate way of entering data. Think of them as another way of writing since they replace key-DATA entry as a method of gathering data. Except for multi- dimensional barcodes such as PDF41 as described above, a bar code does not usually contain descriptive data. Except for multi- dimensional barcodes such as PDF41 as described above, a bar code does not usually contain descriptive data.

14. Just as your social security number does not contain your name or address, a barcode is also a reference number that a computer uses to look up an associated record that contains descriptive data and other important information. Just as your social security number does not contain your name or address, a barcode is also a reference number that a computer uses to look up an associated record that contains descriptive data and other important information. Barcode acts in much the same way as keyword. As the pressing of key sends a signal to the computer, in the same way reading the barcode results in the same kind of signal sent to the procession. Barcode acts in much the same way as keyword. As the pressing of key sends a signal to the computer, in the same way reading the barcode results in the same kind of signal sent to the procession.

15. WHY BARCODING ? Faster data entry. Faster data entry. Error-free data collection and entry. Error-free data collection and entry. Tracking of a person or even a moving object. Tracking of a person or even a moving object. Economical data collection. Economical data collection. Temper-proof identification. Temper-proof identification. Easy data collection in harsh environments. Easy data collection in harsh environments.

16. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR BAR CODING APPLICATION A scanner to read the barcode labels; A scanner to read the barcode labels; A decoder to translate this information into binary; A decoder to translate this information into binary; A host computer either a PC or a controller depending on this system; A host computer either a PC or a controller depending on this system; The barcode labels, which are printed in- house or off-site by a commercial house; The barcode labels, which are printed in- house or off-site by a commercial house; Library management software; Library management software; User database; and User database; and Books database. Books database.

17. Bar-code system

18. Thermal Transfer Printer

19. CCD Scanner

20. USE OF BARCODE Their use is widespread, and the technology behind barcodes is constantly improving. Some modern applications of barcodes include: Their use is widespread, and the technology behind barcodes is constantly improving. Some modern applications of barcodes include: Practically every item purchased from a grocery store, department store, and mass merchandiser has a barcode on it. Practically every item purchased from a grocery store, department store, and mass merchandiser has a barcode on it. Document Management tools often allow for bar-coded sheets to facilitate the separation and indexing of documents that have been imaged in batch scanning applications Document Management tools often allow for bar-coded sheets to facilitate the separation and indexing of documents that have been imaged in batch scanning applications

21. Recently, researchers have placed tiny barcodes on individual bees to track the insects’ mating habits. Recently, researchers have placed tiny barcodes on individual bees to track the insects’ mating habits. Many tickets now have barcodes that need to be validated before allowing the holder to enter sports arenas, cinemas, theatres, fairgrounds, transportation etc. Many tickets now have barcodes that need to be validated before allowing the holder to enter sports arenas, cinemas, theatres, fairgrounds, transportation etc. Used on automobiles, can be located on front or back. Used on automobiles, can be located on front or back.

22. BARCODE SYSTEM IN LIBRARIES Barcode are an accepted tool which is being used in improving the efficiency of libraries all over the world. The major benefits from the system are. Barcode are an accepted tool which is being used in improving the efficiency of libraries all over the world. The major benefits from the system are. Improving efficiency in handling members, records and details. Improving efficiency in handling members, records and details. Reducing errors in circulation. Reducing errors in circulation. Uniquely identifying the location and status of various tools like books, journals, standards, Periodicals, audio and video cassettes, abstracts, etc, and Uniquely identifying the location and status of various tools like books, journals, standards, Periodicals, audio and video cassettes, abstracts, etc, and Updating on-line inventory management Updating on-line inventory management

23. To gain above advantages, the libraries may adopt the following procedures. Use of personal names. Use of personal names. Use of pay roll numbers. Use of pay roll numbers. Circulation desk. Circulation desk. Location control system. Location control system. Periodicals control. Periodicals control. Inventory Management. Inventory Management.

24. ADVANTAGES OF USING BARCODE Improves Improves Efficiency of the staff; Efficiency of the staff; Quality of services; Quality of services; increases the speed of operation; increases the speed of operation; Enhances accuracy; Enhances accuracy; Increased user satisfaction and hence improves the images of the library; Increased user satisfaction and hence improves the images of the library; No need to keep borrower’s tickets and book cards together, in turn a lot of space is saved; No need to keep borrower’s tickets and book cards together, in turn a lot of space is saved;

25. Reliable statistics for management information system (MIS) and management control; Reliable statistics for management information system (MIS) and management control; Elegance and aesthetics of the front office and its activities. Elegance and aesthetics of the front office and its activities. Positive user attitude towards the library Positive user attitude towards the library Save the time of borrower Save the time of borrower Perfect entry and retrieval of data Perfect entry and retrieval of data Improves information availability, and Improves information availability, and Data integrity. Data integrity.

26. CONCLUSION A number of library and information centers a round the world have turned to barcode technology as an economical and effective means of data collections which has also helped in rendering better services to library users. A number of library and information centers a round the world have turned to barcode technology as an economical and effective means of data collections which has also helped in rendering better services to library users. Barcode application continues to proliferate and is finding new areas of applications. Every library needs the application of new technology is one best tools to minimize the time taken at the circulation counter in charging /discharging the reading materials. Barcode application continues to proliferate and is finding new areas of applications. Every library needs the application of new technology is one best tools to minimize the time taken at the circulation counter in charging /discharging the reading materials.

27. The time saved in the operational can be utilized for developing additional/advanced skills. The time saved in the operational can be utilized for developing additional/advanced skills. Barcodes supports the speedy operations and accurate record retrieval library which have rich collection, more registered members and more transactions at the circulation desk can apply the barcode technology to improve the efficiency and quality. Barcodes supports the speedy operations and accurate record retrieval library which have rich collection, more registered members and more transactions at the circulation desk can apply the barcode technology to improve the efficiency and quality. This technology will improve the image of the library among the patrons and develop a positive attitude towards the library. This technology will improve the image of the library among the patrons and develop a positive attitude towards the library. Its application is staff forwarded towards to satisfy the fourth law of library science “save the time of users”. Its application is staff forwarded towards to satisfy the fourth law of library science “save the time of users”.