Re: Using a barcode scanner for cataloging

["Adam Wathen" <adamw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks everyone for your information!

I have created text strings (which are a lot easier than the macros I was
creating, let me tell you!) as a prefix and a postfix.  Now when I scan a
barcode it prints my entire 949 line... that's handy.

Adam.
Tabor College
adamw@xxxxxxxxxx

----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas, Kirsti" <kthomas@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <innopac@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2002 5:35 PM
Subject: RE: Using a barcode scanner for cataloging


>
> Adam Wathen wrote:
>
> I've been playing around with a Cipher 1000 CCD barcode scanner at my
> cataloging station and trying to find a way to make it worth my time to
> use this thing.  I am cataloging in CatME and adding the 949s there
> before I export them into the OPAC.
>
>
> We use the Constant Data workforms available in CatME to add the 949s.
> I mention this because it may be easier than programming the barcode
> scanner.  We use the first 949 to specify the item record template to
> use, which automatically sets the location code and item type when the
> new item record is created.  Since CatME allows you to assign keyboard
> shortcuts to menu commands (Tools--Customize--Keyboard--Commands), I've
> set up shortcuts that apply constant data fields to records in 2
> keystrokes.
>
> One of the uses I've found for our barcode scanners is scanning the UPC
> barcode on our new books and modifying them slightly to run batch ISBN
> searches.  This saves an amazing amount of time in performing searches.
> I can search an entire cart of books in about 10-15 minutes.  The
> instructions are given below.  I've also got the instructions saved as a
> Word document with screen captures of the steps.  If anyone would like
> the Word document, just email me and I'll send it to you.
>
>
> Scanning UPC Barcodes to Automate ISBN Searching
>
> The UPC barcodes on the back of most newly published books are very
> similar to ISBNs.  The final digit is usually different, and UPCs
> contain the three-digit prefix 978.  With just a little bit of extra
> work, you can use your barcode scanner and the UPC barcodes to automate
> ISBN searching in OCLC.  The whole process takes 5-10 minutes and
> reduces errors that can happen when you type the ISBN's by hand.
>
> 1. Open a text-editor.  If you are using Windows, this means using
> Notepad.  Click on Start; then Accessories; then Notepad.  (I've tried
> using Word, but the formatting messes everything up.)
>
> 2. Scan the UPC barcode with your barcode scanner
>
> 3. Delete the final digit of the number you just scanned and type
> the final digit of the ISBN, which is usually printed directly above the
> UPC.
>
> 4. Continue this with all your books.  Don't separate any of the
> codes with spaces or hard returns.
>
> 5. When you are done, copy all of the numbers and paste them into a
> new Word document
>
> 6. Under the Edit menu in Word, select Replace
>
> 7. Click on the button on the lower left of the dialogue box that
> says "More"
>
> 8. In the "Find What" box, type 978.  Click on the "Replace With"
> box then click on the "Special" box on the bottom of the dialogue box.
> Select "Manual Line Break"
>
> 9.  Select "Replace All" and close the dialogue box when the process is
> finished.
>
> 10. Check the list for alignment.  If any number isn't aligned,
> double-check the ISBN for that book.
>
> 11. Save the list as a text file.  I usually call it something like
> isbn.txt and save it on my desktop.  Close the text file and exit Word.
>
> 12. Open CatME and set whatever Bibliographic Local File you wish to
> use via "Tools" and "Local File Manager."
>
> 13. Select "Batch", and "Enter Bibliographic Search Keys"
>
> 14. Click on the "Import" button and Browse to find the name of the
> text file you just created.  When you have done this once, CatME will
> remember the name of the file next time.
>
> 15. Close the search box (it doesn't matter if you save or delete
> the text file) and perform your CatME search as usual.
>
>
>
> Kirsti Thomas
> Technical Services Librarian
> St. Martin's College
> kthomas@xxxxxxxxxx
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