HIT: Patron Barcodes, Part 4

[Marcia Jacques <mjacques@BVSD.K12.CO.US>]

From: Braeside IMC <braeside.nslsilus.org@nslsilus.org>
   We have barcodes for students and staff that we put on plastic library
cards, but I have found that it is far easier to have the students memorize
the 5 digit-number that has been assigned to them. They come to the desk,
give their digit, we type it in, and off they go. It eliminates their
looking for their cards in the library in a folder, or having to bring
their cards to the library. The teachers either memorize their number or
we have their numbers posted on a list by the circ computer.

From: LibraryM@aol.com
We use Filemaker Pro to create the barcodes on Avery Labels in relatively
large print (student first and last name with barcode). THis sticker is
placed on a piece of card stock (1/4 sheet) and it is laminated.  We
discovered, that if you laminate the whole sheet, then cut in quarters,
then laminate again, they last longer. We use small avery labels on the
back that state teachers name, rm. # and '94-95.  Each year a new label
is added to the back of the card. Cards are kept in the classrooms in
file boxes that are similar to 3x5 card files.with a-z dividers.
Students must bring their library card to the library to sign out books.
      Teachers barcodes are just stuck on a sheet of paper in a notebook,
kept in the library.  For the teachers, we use the same barcodes that we
purchased from Media Flex for the books. We don't even cover them, just
stick them on the page.

From: Sylvia Jacquard <sjacquar@fox.nstn.ca>
       When I automated circulation (with Chancery's MacLibrary now
Library Pro) at my 8-12 high school (they also used MacSchool) I obtained
all the student ID cards and applied a barcode sticker that I produced
myself using Percode 39 font (this font translates numbers into barcodes)
which came free with the barcode reader.
        Only 7% of students remembered to bring their student card with
them (the only other time they ever need them is at dances) so I decided
that it wasn't worth the hassle.  I simply ask students to memorize their
number and most of them do.  It's easy especially since that number stays
with them during all their years at school.
        I never even considered asking the teachers to carry cards.  I just
made their library number the same as their professional number (this
number they know like they would know their own phone no.).
        I'll leave it to other elem. school librarians to say whether or
not they would recommend requiring students to use library cards.
        Let me know if you'd like more info on the barcode font or have any
other questions.

From: Brenda Moxley <dems157@uabdpo.dpo.uab.edu
I've been automated about 12 years.  I tried roladex cards, barcodes
in notebooks, barcodes on cutouts on yarn around the neck for K...etc.

What I do is get paint sticks, paint them in varied colors.  I use
a different color for each Kindergarten class--glossy paint works
best and it's best applied with a brush.  Spray paint takes a lot
of coats of paint and is costly.  It does take time-several coats because
I like them very smooth.  Of course, since I expect children to use
them SIX years the time isn't so much.

After they are dry, I put the barcodes on with some mylar shipping
tape.  I apply the Student Name separately because our students domove
frequently.  Last I apply the teacher name.  It's not so important
the first year when all the sticks are the same color for the class, but
is afterward when the students go to different teachers in first grade
and on.  All I change every year is the teacher name on the computer
and on the sticks--I wish I could find a faster way to do that!

The markers are stored in cans-I think they are Planters Cheese
Sticks, Cheese Balls, Pretzels.  I also spray those and I put the
teacher's names on them.  I think I'll decorate them with the
teacher's picture made with my QuickCam so littles can find their
teacher quickly.  I also want to make pictures of the Kindergartners
with the QuickCam to apply to markers since they can't read their
names yet.

The cans are on a small table under a bulletin board at the front
of the library.  That way they are accessible whenever children
come in to checkout, with or without their class.

Anyone who hits with his shelf marker (himself, tables, bookcases,
others-makes noise) puts his marker away,  sits down and does not
check out at that time.  He can come back during school-wide check
out from 2-2:45 if their teacher will allow it.  The point is to
stop the misbehavior, not to withold books.

Shelf markers are used to hold the place for a book while browsing-
so it can be properly reshelved.  This function becomes more important
as students grow and begin to use Non-Fiction shelves where they con't
reshelve.  I have NO adult help in the library and almost none of our
students are able to shelve non-fiction (even if they are allowed to
come for shelving).

When students line up to check out, they hand me the book with the
marker in it-and I have their barcode.  Also, if I don't have time to
check out a book students can leave it on my desk with their marker
in it and I know who wants it.  Then I can check it out and send
it to the student.  I do have difficulty with multiple book needs.
The best I've been able to come up with is putting the marker inside
the front cover of the first book and putting a rubber band around
the entire stack.  I insist that whoever delivers the books return
the rubber bands.

Our markers are NOT decorated-they are utilitarian.  Students ask
to keep them when they graduate, but I explain that they will be
recycled.  Paint sticks in large quantities can't be had every year
and I don't want to paint that many new ones every year.  I usually
do about 100-enough for the new Kindergarteners.  I'm about to the
point I won't have to add any-after this year I think I will be rid
of the plastic ones.  Wood recycles longer.

Don't use the shelf markers from UPSTART!   Not if you plan to have
a marker for every child--they are too costly.  Also, they don't last
that well.  They become brittle and break before children are done
with them.

From: MARTINV@TEN-NASH.TEN.K12.TN.USI'm using Follett's Unison Circ on
PC, and buy my barcodes from them.
I also buy an inexpensive card which has space for the patron name,
class, etc. and put the barcode in the center.  I then laminate the
cards with the intention of using them each year the student stays in
my school.  I sort the cards by class since I'm still cursed with
fixed scheduling, and keep them together with a rubber band.  These
stay with me in the library and are distributed by a student at the
beginning of each library class and collected during checkout or near
the end of the period.

A few are lost, many are mutilated but still readable.  We don't get cute
with decoration in middle school, though elementary would find that
appealing.  Students are charged $1.00 if they lose their barcode or
mutilate it to the point that it can't be scanned.  The first barcode
is free.

Lucky you to have access to the attendance sec.'s list.  That will save
you lots of time.  Wish I had it!

From: Diane Durbin <dianed@tenet.edu>
Here is one of the neatest ideas I've heard for barcodes - and I read it
on this list a couple of years ago.  In this particular school the
barcodes were put on buttons - the kind you make on those neat button
machines.  Each child's barcode button was given to his/her teacher.  In
the classroom the buttons were stuck into a bulletin board when they
weren't in use.  When the class went to the library, the children took
the buttons from the bulletin board and pinned it on.  If just one or two
children were going to the library, they did the same thing and the
button also served as a hall pass.  I presume that the child's name was
also on the button.  I would also think that the buttons could be passed
on to the next year's teacher.

From: Kathy Bennett <bennett@ncsa.uiuc.edu>

-Our school library uses Winnebago (IBM version) to circulate
materials.  The students, 624 in grades 3-5, do not have their own
cards.  In general, the students come to the library during a weekly
scheduled library class so we have decided to have the barcodes by
homerooms.  Each homeroom has a sheet of tagboard and all student
barcodes from the same room are on the same sheet in alphabetical order.
When the class comes in we pull out the appropriate card and checkout
goes very smoothly.  New students appear at the end of the card.  If
students come at another time, either alone or in a group, it is easy to
find the correct card for their homeroom and check out their materials.
We do the same with staff.  We print the barcodes are paper instead of
labels.

From: "Karen S. Whetzel" <kwhetzel@pen.k12.va.us>

I am in a K-4 school, and have tried different approaches.
First year, I put the barcodes on a page by room # and students
told us thier name, teacher's name.
Second year, I bought the cards from Winnebago that I put the
barcodes on. We had students put them in the back of their
library books (we kept the pockets there). Problem: cards too small.
Now, I buy colored index cards (which fit perfectly in back of
book in pocket), put barcode label on there. Different color
each year.m New ones each year, they aren't that sturdy. If
child doesn't check out book, we file (using old card file from
manual checkout).
For teachers, we put barcodes on a page in notebook.

From: "Kathryn K. Lafferty" <klaffert@pen.k12.va.us>
I've been putting them into a looseleaf notebook, organized by
class in ABC order by the teachers' names.  Last year I xeroxed
the yearbook from the previous year, and put the pictures in
the notebook, too.  Helped a lot, made the kids think I
remembered everyone's name!  Unfortunately we didn't do a
yearbook this year, so I won't have pictures.  What I'd like to
do is to keep the notebook, but also have library cards with
their barcodes.  Then I can pass them out each library period,
and it will help me learn names.
-
From: Peggy Brengle <pbrengle@metnet.epflbalto.org>
As an elementary media specialist, I use the green and white bar computer
paper and set up each classroom on a different sheet.  I have a fixed
schedule so I see every student every week by class.  This way no one
loses or forgets their "Library Card".  This number stays with them for
their five years.  It is a bit of a task to write their names in and
resort their barcodes to the new class each year, but once it is finished
it works for the whole year.

From: Melissa Davis <mbdavis@tenet.edu>
The company our school uses for "school pictures" provides us with an
"ID" card that's really a rolodex card with the kid's picture already on
it. We simply put the smart barcode label (has the kid's name on it) in
the space beside the picture. They make these to our specs so we know the
labels will fit.
We keep the cards on a rolodex beside the circ computer. We do put them
inside clear plastic holders that have the rolodex holes in them. That
protects the label from being rubbed out.
 The only cost to us was for the rolodex circle thingie and the clear
holders (both from Quill if I remember right).

From: McGinn - Barbara <bmcginn@umd5.umd.edu>
I purchased library cards from Gaylord, imprinted with the name of our
school, address etc. and put the childs name on a sticker on back of
card.This was three years ago and the cards have  lasted - kids get to
keep their cards upon "graduation" (fifthe grade)   I rubber-band the
cards and keep them at the check-out desk, labelled  by teacher name so
the kids can check out books on their own or I can pass them out when
their class comes.  I know other media centers in my area use notebooks
with barcodes stuck on for each class and other methods but I find the
initial expense of the plastic cards to be well worth the expense. (kids
keep their cards as they move from grade to grade and surprisingly few
are lost each year.  You can also  reuse the cards - if a child moves, I
put a signature sticker over the old name and add the new one.  By the
way I put the patron barcode on the front with the school name and
signature strip on the back.

From: Chris House <wexlr1@minerva.cis.yale.edu>
How about putting the barcodes on a round rolodex with one of the small
stick-on school photos on the same card so that you are sure to have the
right child.


From: Jamie Boston <jamieb@wheel.dcn.davis.ca.us>
        I run two barcodes per patron. One goes on the rolodex file (for
those times when students come in without their class - which is
frequent). The other goes on a 9x12 manila folder with one of the
teacher's barcodes on the tab.  The folders are kept in a binder on the
checkout desk.  The Kindergarten students are the only ones that do not
get a class folder.
Instead I have the teachers make bookmarks. (I precut the paper to a size
that will fit nicely into the bookpocket - just a bit longer than the former
checkout cards).  The teacher prints the student's name and class # and
the students decorate it.  It is then returned to me and I put the
barcode on
the reverse and then laminate them. That way the students can hand me
their "ticket" and I can learn their names quickly.  Asking them their
names (when we sometimes have students from as many as 28 different
countries), especially their last names which is how we alphabetize them,
is sometimes a lost cause at this age.

From: Deborah Chaney <chaney@tenet.edu>

Barcode cards are made by our data processing department. None of our 17
elementary schools have the children keep their own cards. Some use the
following: a large tagboard sheet laminated with book pockets attached.
Cards are kept in the pockets. When a child goes alone to the library, he
takes his card, and returns it to the pocket when he returns to the room.
When the whole class goes, the whole sheet goes. Some teachers allow the
children to "decorate" their pocket. At the end of the year, the cards
are cleaned (the laminated cards really do pick up stickiness and grime)
and placed in the child's permanent folder. At the start of the next
school year, the child's card is automatically with the new teacher.
From: Timothy Williams Deakers <deakers@hsc.usc.edu>
We have 600 students and I put barcodes on roladex plastic windows.  Then
I type the patron name at the top of the roladex card itself and in
parenthesis put year they will graduate and then a bottom left their
barcode number in case the plastic and the white card ever get separated:


From: CHorn3839@aol.com
 We used Rolodex cards alphabetized by grade and included a picture of
each student (my aide photocopied the yearbook for this).  This is in the
high school level.  At elementary level, I have seen barcodes on rolodex
cards kept by teacher and grade level (and in the order that they come into
the library).  These are rubber banded together and kept in a file box in
order of classes into the library for the week. Parent volunteers then grab
the class cards and arrange them in a file box with the alphabet cards, so
that students can get their own card out.  At a local kindergarten, the lms
used clothespins with their number on one side and name on the other, and
the parent volunteers simply typed the number into the computer rather
than scanning a barcode.  This seemed to work very well (the clothespins
were fastened to their shirt).     Good luck!!  We found at the high
school that it was quicker to type the student's last name in than it was
to file the rolodex and scan the barcode.