Voyager 6.1: Barcode Lookup
New Functionality
Circulation Workflow
“Dirty Data” Implications
New functionality in version 6:
Barcode Lookup Files
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New functionality in version 6: Barcode Lookup
Files
Configuration file in each I-Share database
contains information to identify the patron’s home
library and item’s holding library, based on patron
and/or item barcode prefix
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Similar to DRA functionality
Barcode Lookup configuration
file details
Most (but not all) I-Share libraries have at least item
barcode prefixes unique to the library
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Libraries that converted from shared DRA system also
have conversion item prefixes (e.g., 38888xx)
All known item barcode prefixes already included in
existing barcode lookup config files
Barcode Lookup configuration
file details (cont.)
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Most (but not all) I-Share libraries have a patron
barcode prefix unique to the library
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All known patron barcode prefixes already included in
existing barcode lookup config files
If library uses SSN as barcode currently, an alternative
prefix was assigned previously by ILCSO/CARLI Office
Alternative patron prefix is also included in existing config
files, to help libraries transition away from SSN barcodes
Barcode Lookup configuration
file details (cont.)
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Server level configuration files
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Maintained by CARLI Office staff
Each file contains data for all I-Share libraries
Data taken from “ILCSO” Directory entry per library
Summarized listing available from the URL below:
http://office.ilcso.illinois.edu/Docs/ILCSO_barcode_
formats.html
An excerpt from this listing follows.
ILCSO BARCODE FORMATS
URL
http://office.ilcso.illinois.edu/Docs/ILCSO_barcode_formats.html
Item
barcode
prefix
Conversion
Item
barcode prefix
Augustana College
30050
Augustana College
Current patron
barcode format
Alternate Patron
Barcode Format
n/a
20059+8 or 9
digits
n/a
T0050
n/a
n/a
n/a
Aurora University
32511
3888827
22511+9
n/a
Benedictine University
32811
3888847
22811+9
n/a
Benedictine University (Springfield
College)
37513
n/a
27513+9
n/a
Library
Where will I see Barcode
Lookup Functionality?
Barcode Lookup Functionality is only
visible in the Circulation client:
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Patron search screen
Charge screen
Discharge screen
How does it work?
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When a barcode is entered into the Patron Search
Screen, the Charge Screen, or the Discharge
Screen, the computer goes to work trying to identify
the barcode library affiliation,
<Auto-Select from barcode>.
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The following slide shows what’s happening behind
the scenes to look up this information.
Color coding corresponds with colors on the earlier
ILCSO Barcode Formats slide.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Consortium>
<Flag>
<TryLocalClusterFirst>true</TryLocalClusterFirst>
<UseFirstMatchingPatronCluster>false</UseFirstMatchingPatronCluster>
<UseFirstMatchingItemCluster>false</UseFirstMatchingItemCluster>
</Flag>
<Cluster>
<DatabaseName>Augustana College</DatabaseName>
<DatabaseKey>AUGDB20030608200405</DatabaseKey>
<ClusterName>Augustana College</ClusterName>
<ClusterId>1</ClusterId>
<Patron>
<BarcodePattern>20059.*</BarcodePattern>
</Patron>
<Item>
<BarcodePattern>30050.*</BarcodePattern>
<BarcodePattern>T0050.*</BarcodePattern>
</Item>
</Cluster>
<Cluster>
<DatabaseName>Benedictine University</DatabaseName>
<DatabaseKey>BENDB20020507031016</DatabaseKey>
<ClusterName>Benedictine University</ClusterName>
<ClusterId>1</ClusterId>
<Patron>
<BarcodePattern>22811.*</BarcodePattern>
<BarcodePattern>27513.*</BarcodePattern>
</Patron>
<Item>
<BarcodePattern>32811.*</BarcodePattern>
<BarcodePattern>3888847.*</BarcodePattern>
<BarcodePattern>37513.*</BarcodePattern>
</Item>
</Cluster>
Barcode Lookup functionality
within the Circ client
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Local database will always be searched first by default
If patron or item barcode not found in local DB, client will
look for prefix in barcode lookup config file
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If prefix is configured for a particular library, client will
automatically search that UB database for patron/item
If prefix is not configured for any library, client prompts staff
to select the appropriate DB from drop-down list of I-Share
libraries
Barcode lookup design assumes patron and item
prefixes are unique to a single DB!
“Dirty” data issues
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If patron/item prefix has error such that prefix not found in
any library’s config file, circ/ILL staff from another library
have to select patron’s home library or item’s owning
library manually
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Remember, your DB is always searched first by default
from your circ/ILL desk, so errors in your DB not likely to
affect your circ/ILL staff
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UB libraries not as familiar with your practices will be
inconvenienced by these errors
“Dirty” data issues (cont.)
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If patron/item prefix has error such that the incorrect prefix in your DB
is configured for another library, barcode lookup will search that other
DB
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Staff don’t get option to select appropriate library
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Patron/item may or may not be represented in the DB that is searched
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Patron/Item “not found” messages; no other hints as to how to proceed
Remember, design is that prefix is unique per DB
UB libraries will be particularly inconvenienced by errors of this type
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If your library is planning to change patron barcode
numbers (for example SSN to some other number, the
library should strongly consider adopting the
ILCSO/I-Share standard 14-digit barcode.
This number begins with a 2 to denote patron and is
followed by 4 digits unique to that library. The remaining
9 digits can be whatever meets the needs of the library.
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See Batch Loading Patron Data into the ILCSO/I-Share
Voyager Databases, page 17 for further explanation.
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URL: http://office.ilcso.illinois.edu/voyager/general/batch_load.pdf