Implementing a Serials Barcoding Project.

In 1992 the library staff of the University of Arkansas participated in a project to barcode selected serial titles. This article discusses the process of planning and implementing a barcode project and the subsequent cleanup of the library database. Many libraries, including the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, have been or will be faced with the dilemma of determining the best method of barcoding a collection. Indeed, some have even considered rebarcoding their collections in order to take advantage of the newest technologies. Among the most time-consuming and complex issues is the barcoding and subsequent processing of library serials. In 1991, the University of Arkansas began the preparations necessary to automate the library. One of the immediate issues to confront the library was the method and manner of making item information accessible to the library patrons. In an effort to provide access to serials, as well as some experience for the library staff in preparing for the major changes that would result from automation, the library embarked on a barcoding project for serials. By beginning such a project, we hoped to gain information that would be transferable to a general barcoding project--both in the applying of barcode labels and in the subsequent cleanup. During the past four years, the staff at the University of Arkansas Libraries have been involved in barcoding the entire collection and performing item record cleanup using both dumb and labels. This article reviews the decision-making process surrounding the dumb barcoding portion of the project and the cleanup of item records. Dumb or Smart Barcodes? In preparation for automation, a library needs to make a number of decisions regarding the creation of the bibliographic database. While the bibliographic record information provides access to titles, item record information is also needed for providing easy access to and information about the individual pieces, such as whether a particular item is checked out or missing. Barcodes allow for rapid access to item information through the use of desktop or hand-held scanners. They are generally of two types, or dumb. Smart barcodes are already linked to specific bibliographic records. As the bibliographic information is already provided on smart barcodes, they must be matched correctly to specific pieces and are therefore more time-consuming to apply. However, if the information provided in the creation of the records is already accurate, very little staff time is necessary in editing or creating the actual records. A disadvantage of smart barcodes is that they are sometimes generated with inaccurate data, as in the case when transferred titles have been inconsistently maintained. Such inaccuracies may result in the production of barcodes for titles or volumes no longer in the library or no longer in the original location. Dumb barcodes, on the other hand, need not be applied to preassigned volumes and may be linked during cataloging or applied at time of checkout. Since these barcodes are not prelinked to computer records, they can be applied quickly. However, they require continued staff effort and staff time to link barcodes to item or bibliographic records. Moreover, until a significant number of items are linked, inventories, statistics, and information on availability are not available. Beginning the Barcoding Project In determining our priorities for automation, the library administration formed a Barcode Task Force representing the entire library. Specific members included the automation librarian, the head of circulation, the database manager, the serials cataloger, the head of the fine arts library, a library technical assistant from the cataloging department, and the stacks supervisor. The committee met for several months to plan for the barcoding of the library collections and to set deadlines. …