We have our barcodes affixed to cards in a rolodex (one for current
periodicals and one for microforms--bound items have their own unique
barcode).  The students have to bring the "picked up" items into the
office to sort anyway, so it made more sense to us to have all the info in
one place. Also, we eliminate the need to download the portable scanner to
the Innopac.

Dana Belcher, Periodicals/Acquisitions Librarian
East Central University
Linscheid Library
200 S. Stadium Drive
Ada, OK 74820

--------------- Original message ----------------
>>> Sherri Parker <SPARKER@DEPAUW.EDU> 12/17/98 02:57pm >>>
DePauw University is interested in tracking periodical usage.  We are
interested in using a relational database to manage usage statistics.
I've read some articles that involve affixing barcodes on the shelves
and using barcode scanners to scan barcodes each time issues are shelved.
Then the information would be downloaded into the relational database
(like Microsoft Access) so that statistics can be generated for each
title.

I wondered if any of you are doing this sort of thing and need to know
information on what equipment we will need to purchase.  Also, it sounds
like I might even need a program generator to read the data from the
portable scanner.

Any information you can share regarding this sort of thing would be
much appreciated!!!

Sherri Parker
DePauw University
sparker@depauw.edu
(765) 658-4014