Barcode

Unique identifier assigned to physical object

Table of Contents

  1. Source
  2. Guidelines
  3. Format
  4. Inheritance
  5. See Also

Source

  • Assigned by various Library departments during acquisition, cataloging, processing, or collection management workflows and stored in other systems in the Library such as Sierra and SPEC

Guidelines

  • Barcodes do not automatically import into MMS when importing MARC records via finding aid or bnumber but may be added manually
  • It may be appropriate to manually add a Barcode if:
    • Requested by the division
    • A barcode helps differentiate which specific physical item was digitized, particularly if there are multiple copies and the Call number / Shelf Locator is not unique
    • Specified by corresponding material, division, or workflow documentation
  • Only add a Barcode identifier to the specific record that is 1:1 with the physical material to the barcode has been assigned, e.g.
    • If a barcoded book is digitized in full, assign the Barcode identifier at the item-level record for the entire book
    • If a barcoded book is digitized partially, assign the Barcode identifier at the collection- or container-level record that represents the entire book, where child item records represent part(s) of the book

Format

Preferred structure
unique numeric identifier
Example
33333201353840

Inheritance

  • Do not set Barcodes added to collections or containers to be Inheritable

See Also