Gen: Assigning Barcode Numbers for Central Library System

[Elaine Zink <zinke@WATRC.EDU.ON.CA>]

I would appreciate e-mail from librarians who have experience assigning
barcode numbers for copy records for many sites in a central
library system.  This Board has 50+ schools.

Previously, each automated school library assigned their own
range of numbers for copy records.  Most started at 1.  In order to
expedite the use of a central library automation system such as Horizon,
schools have been asked to switch to unique barcode
numbers to reduce duplication of barcode numbers across the sites.  The new
barcode numbers are 10 digits in length including a prefix of 4 digits
which represents the school number (as assigned by the Board's Accounting
Department).

Some sites find this longer number cumbersome to read and type. I wish
to find a simple method of assigning shorter, but unique barcode
numbers.

Thank you for your support.

Elaine Zink
Resource Librarian
Waterloo Region Separate School Board
zinke@watrc.edu.on.ca