April 4th, 2008 at 02:17am Under Forum
Has anyone ever heard of a hand scanner for books?
I have heard that there is a hand scanner that you can scan the bar code on a book’s dust jacket and it will tell you what the book is worth. Anyone know anything about it, like where I can get one.
Best answer:
this is just a bar-code scanner, should be able to pick up one at any good reseller
By Barcode Scanner 1 comment
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:57pm Under Forum
a question about library books – how do they go missing?
every library has an alarm system, and each book always has a barcode (to scan) and yet many of these books go missing in the library i volunteer at!
how on earth do i stop them from disappearing? how do these theives bypass our alarm system? from what i know removal of these scan codes do not stop the system from sniffing you out!
gosh. and my head librarian is going crazy can u guys help??
PS: i’m not sure what category to put this so i’m just gonna try out one i think receives lots of answerers.
Best answer:
Sorry to say this, but I have never seen a very good security system at any library.
Although, I don’t understand people that would steal from a library!
By Barcode Scanner 6 comments
December 31st, 2007 at 12:16pm Under Forum
Brainstorm role of ICT in libraries (real libraries of books and people)?
I’m doing a project looking at the role of ICT (information and communication technology) in a library (a real library of books and people). Just brain storming myself I’ve come up with a few areas ICT plays a part. Can you think of anything else? Thanks.
Record system (eg. who borrows what, when is the due date, where are other copies of the same book located, basic details of books and borrowers. Notification of borrowers their books are due or requested books have arrived for pick up. Open reserve and closed reserve books etc).
Online borrowing system and catalogue.
Retrieval system (most library does it by human. Possibility for robotic retrieval like a vending machine).
Delivery system (some libraries post books to you and let you post back to them).
Information in forms other than than books (eg. microfiche, computer files, audiovideo cassettes).
Broadcast systems (loud speakers and emails).
Internet access (computer terminals and wireless)
Photocopiers, scanners, fax machines, printers, telephones. Re-chargeable cards to access these.
Climate control (air con that switches on or off automatically depending on temperature and humidity).
Security (eg. books leaving the library without being checked out. People eating and drinking or talking loudly in library. Lockers. Different levels of access to visitors and librarians in terms of areas and time).
Management of parking lot (reserved spots for librarians and open car park for users).
Relaxation areas (eg. automated cafeteria, water fountain).
[Note: for people who don't know what I mean by ICT, put loosely it is the technology used to manipulate and communicate information efficiently and effectively to serve particular purposes and make life or tasks easier for us. It encompasses mainly areas of computers, electronics and telecommunication. That's my mini version of what ICT is. So my question is, how does ICT fit in to a modern library system.]
Best answer:
1. Digital Library Reserve
2. Some type of resource allotment or lottery sytem for indigent – contrary to what many people think, not everything at the libarary is free or readily available.
3. Since you are very creative at ideas, you may want to consider the various types of users: the elderly, children and chldren’s needs along with those of the physically challenged. You may come up with a whole new series of ideas. Good luck :)
By Barcode Scanner Add comment
July 19th, 2007 at 09:27am Under Forum
They already have self checkout machines for library books. Does anyone think one day librarians will be gone?
I asked a librarian this question and she replied not in this lifetime. But really, if all you have to do is scan the barcode on your library card and then scan the book’s barcode it stands to reason at least that aspect of the librarian’s job description would be missing in this scenario of self checkouts.
Best answer:
There are a couple of issues here.
First, “library stafff” vs “librarian.” The person who checks out your books, does the shelving, etc., is usually not an MLS degree-holding librarian, except perhaps in smaller libraries. They may hold another title, like “library assistant,” “circulation clerk,” etc. This is not to say they aren’t talented/knowledgeable, but their job duties aren’t those of a librarian. Librarians usually deal with more complex functions of the library: assisting with research, managing the scope and nature of the collection, outreach, programming, designing instruction, etc. Have a look at the description in the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook:
bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm
(Note that the outlook is actually listed as “favorable”)
That said, the increasing amount of technology and self-service in many libraries is changing both how much staff we need and what roles we have those staff doing. Perhaps there will be fewer people at the check-out desk (we’ll always need someone there to help solve billing problems, etc.), but they might take on other roles, like providing basic assistance in the computer area, helping with public programs, etc. Also keep in mind that, as long as there’s a physical collection of books, videos, etc., someone’s got to keep it in order, up-to-date, etc. That’s a role jointly split between librarians and other staff. So, there’s still a lot to do for quite a time to come.
Could everything go online and do away with the library? Again, not anytime soon. Even online resources cost money (since not every source wants to give their info away for free on the web). Libraries often purchase large databases of premium information that you and all your fellow users can use online and which go well beyond Google, etc. in their depth of information on certain topics. Librarians work to evaluate and select these, and then become experts in using them and teaching our patrons to use them on an as-needed basis. We’re also shifting our roles, from working behind desks to doing more “outside” work–helping with research, teaching communities to be more aware of the information sources they use, doing chat and IM-based reference assistance, etc. So, frankly, we’ve got more to do–not less!
Also have a look at librarycareers.org.
And this CNN report: cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/04/future.library.technology/
Hope this is helpful!
–Bill Pardue
Arlington Heights Memorial Library ahml.info
Librarians–Ask Us, We Answer!
Find your local Library at publiclibraries.com/
By Barcode Scanner Add comment
June 17th, 2007 at 01:03pm Under Forum
I am looking for a barcode scanner to read the isbn number from books that I list on Amazon?
What type do I need to buy. Where can I get one.
Best answer:
Businesses use barcode scanners all the time, for inventory tracking, etc. I don’t have any personal experience with using one connected to a computer, but I think that they are not cheap.
I do remember that there were some really inexpensive (actually free) barcode scanners that were meant to work with PCs. They came out several years ago and were heavily pushed by Radio Shack, as well as some other outfits.
I have read that people have used them for decoding barcodes, even though they were originally intended to be used for special web link codes.
The link below can get you started. You can probably find some real cheap out there, somewhere!
By Barcode Scanner 1 comment
May 1st, 2007 at 07:49am Under Forum
what’s with thrift store customers who scan books with hand held scanner in thrift stores?
they are customers who come in with a handheld scanner, usually on a saturday night,
and go through all the books in the thrift store. Their shopping cart is filled with books.
I am guessing they are Amazon sellers, or Ebay sellers. But what’s with the hand held
scanner? What information does the scanner provide? I have tried to ask these people
what their game is, but they are not talkative, and seem to be downright rude.
I personally find them very annoying because they taking books that I might want to read.
They obviously are reselling them in some manner. Thanks for your help.
Best answer:
I don’t know what those handheld devices are either! I have seen people use them too and you are right, they are rude when you ask what they are!
I have sold some stuff at a local flea market and every time I see one of those things I tell the people the book is – they almost always buy it anyway!
By Barcode Scanner 1 comment
March 21st, 2007 at 09:03pm Under Forum
What is the best software for creating a large database of rare books?
My father has thousands of rare books in his collection and I would like to create a database so that he can search for books, generate a list for insurance purposes, etc.
What would be the best software to create this database in? Most of his books are not contemporary and thus do not have a barcode.
I also want to ensure that the software I choose has easy options to export the data in case I need to switch software.
Best answer:
There’s a Microsoft Office software program called “Access”. It might be a little confusing to learn at first, but it’s pretty useful. You can sort the books in any way that you want on this program, and I’m pretty sure you can export the data to, but that’s not something we covered in Computer Awareness class, so I’m not sure.
By Barcode Scanner 2 comments
February 16th, 2007 at 09:57am Under Forum
Free program that uses webcam to scan barcodes of books into a database?
I would like some free software or program that could scan around 1000 books using a webcam in my mac into a database on my computer. I am a third grade teacher and my students asked me if they could catalog the class library and I thought this might be a fun way for them to do it.
I have tried delicious, and book collector, but I need something that is very child-friendly, free, and unlimited.
Thank you!
Best answer:
Hi. I’m a new librarian (I just graduated a few months ago), and this sounds like an awesome class project. The best thing I can think of to direct you to is Koha. Koha is a free open-source Integrated Library System software that will allow you to create a fully accessible catalog of your class’s books. I don’t know exactly how kid-friendly it is (I encountered it in grad school), or if it could be hooked into a webcam as a scanner, but I think it’s definitely worth checking out.
By Barcode Scanner 1 comment
January 23rd, 2007 at 11:17pm Under Forum
At a used books sale I noticed someone using a hand-held device to scan barcodes or titles. What is it ?
Best answer:
Authenticity detector.
By Barcode Scanner Add comment
May 17th, 2006 at 11:10am Under Forum
Is there a way to list book’s on my amazon account much faster.?
I have a freind who sells books on amazon just as I do. Often, we will talk on the phone while we both list books at the same time. I can usualy hear what sounds like a upc scanner or something in the back ground but when I ask him what is the beeping noise, he make up a lie or something other than telling me its some kind of scanner. Is there some type of scanner he’s using to list his books or perhaps other products.;
Best answer:
Yeah you can use a bar code scanner to enter the ISDN of the book faster. The cheapest one I’m aware of is a modded queCat. Probably get one for a couple of bucks. They go all the way up to Thousands of dollars. Just do a search for bar code scanners.
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