CMS,
I want to try the barcodes in order to better, accurately and quickly record
and retrieve data. Anything that reduces a cumbersome process and lessens
the probability of error is among those considerations for all my museum work.
This is of utmost importance when you have more than one person working on
the collections. I still haven't worked out the logistics, but I am going to
give it a try.
As far as having some objects with barcodes on them and others on the file
folders, I am not going to quite do that. It will be both. There's no getting
around having duplicate files, x-tra copies of documentation and back-up files
on CD's, etc. And even having portions of that data in other forms for
different uses.
It's funny that we also think of computers making processes less cumbersome.
etc., and they do but it doesn't eliminate are need for documentation, it
increases it. As I gather from others on the list, we take great care of our
documentation, huh? Gone are the days when you only have one copy of a document
and, if it's gone it's lost forever! Not going to happen nowadays!
As far as the barcodes and the protectors - it is not one or the other, the
protectors (clear) go over the labels to protect the barcode. As far as the
adhesive - I simply do not see any issue with placing these labels on the back
cover of a book, the back of a reproduced photo, the underside of a chair, a
proper placement of a barcode label on the bottom of an aluminum pitcher
(not covering the maker's mark), the inside cover of a footlocker, a
grindstone...just to name a few objects I am contending with. For other objects, the
labels can go on tags and on enclosures, and even in the object (i.e., a jar as
someone else on the list has done). If I am missing an issue regarding the
adhesive on objects such as these, I (am not being facetious at all) please
bring it to my attention.
For costs...the barcoding software (PastPerfect) is $63.20. I can by a WASP
brand barcode scanner at Staples for $165. And then the cost of labels and
protectors. Besides my time/labor...not a large amount of $$$$ by far.
If I wanted to go state of the art...that's not what I am prepared to do.
And I have to be careful, I noticed that some scanners require a separate
decoder, which is costly.
But if I am forgetting anything here too -please bring it to my attention. I
will certainly report back to the list once I get everything up and running
(even if it's grumbling, I'll let you know!).
Pam
In a message dated 8/22/2005 5:12:12 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Dear Pam,
I understand that you are really want to use these bar codes. Why? There is
no need for that.
Just think about some objects have the barcodes on it, some in the files.
This might cause confusions.
Next: You are using not only barcode labels, but also protectors. Which one?
Have they been tested with the adhesive?
I repeat: There is not need for that. It is costly, not faster and causes
more problems than the usual methods...
CMS
Pamela Silvestri, Museum Assistant
Northeast States Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
Shenipsit State Forest
166 Chestnut Hill Road
Stafford Springs, Connecticut 06076
(860) 684-3430
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