barcoding

[Nicole Davis]

Hi all,

We're looking to implement barcoding. I'm looking at these labels from Demco but it asks questions about check digits and barcode symbology. Does it matter with ASpace? Does anyone recommend any other types of barcode labels in particular over those Demco ones?

Our artifacts team, who uses Rediscovery Proficio as their database, has been using a DYMO LabelWriter 450Twin Turbo barcode label printer. I've been playing around with it a little bit now but it seems like printing our own labels is going to be overly cumbersome since ASpace doesn't generate barcode numbers. 

Any other advice about implementing barcoding would also be welcome 🙂 

Thanks,

Nicole

Nicole Davis,  (She/Her/Hers) | Supervisory Archivist The Museum of Flight 9404 East Marginal Way S Seattle, WA 98108 Work: +1 (206) 768-7215 www.museumofflight.org

[Sarit Hand]

Hi Nicole,

I am dealing with this issue myself and determined that I would be better served by having a printer and being able to print them myself. I am looking at printers, currently, Zebra, for generating barcodes and tracking last used etc. there are some inexpensive barcode software options, for example Nicelabel, which was recently purchased by Loftware. But may be worth looking into. It would be great to have a barcode generator as part of ASpace, but the independent software may allow for more versatility. The reason for wanting to get a printer rather than pre printed labels, is for those times I may need to reprint or create duplicates or even generate a different number series. Labels can go bad or fall off etc, (we all hope it won't happen but you never know) I figure, a small investment now for long term flexibility. 

I would also recommend establishing a prefix numbering system. For example, the first four digits should all be the same, perhaps a repository code. 

You also would want to decide on how many digits you want, 12, 14, etc.

Placement of barcodes, establish a policy of where barcodes will be applied, a standard records box, manuscript box, flat boxes, artifacts versus books or items versus folders versus boxes. depending at what level you plan to barcode.

Hope that helps.

Cheers

Sarit Hand

Corporate Archivist

Global Manager, Associated Press Corporate Archives

[Joshua D. Shaw]

If you are interested, and capable of running plugins, this plugin (https://github.com/dartmouth-dltg/container_management_labels) lets you print labels directly from the browser. You'll need to know some CSS to get things to layout correctly on your specific label printer. Its supports barcode printing on the labels as well (though only the location barcode at the moment). I have adding the container barcode on my ToDo list.

We print on a DYMO DUO (and have for 10 years). The only drawback to the DYMO labels is that the label stock adhesive isn't quite as sticky as you'd like (long-term) and the labels can fade depending on the lighting conditions.

Happy to chat if that's helpful!

jds

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From: 'Sarit Hand' via Archivesspace_Users_Group <Archivesspac...@lyrasislists.org>
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2025 11:23 AM
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Cc: Nicole Davis <NDa...@museumofflight.org>
Subject: [ArchivesSpace Users Group] Re: barcoding

 

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[Anton Sherin]

We use a Zebra GK420d and have the same issue with label adhesion. I jury rigged Word to print a mail merge for bulk barcodes and Excel to print individual labels. Not advisable if you have the budget for software!

Best,

Anton

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From: archivesspac...@lyrasislists.org <archivesspac...@lyrasislists.org> on behalf of Joshua D. Shaw <Joshua...@dartmouth.edu>
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2025 11:48 AM
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Subject: Re: [ArchivesSpace Users Group] Re: barcoding

 

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[Katerina Dimitriadou-Shuster]

Hi Nicole,

 

One thing that might be useful in making a decision is that thermal printers can be prone to fading (for example: https://labelwarehouse.com.au/blog/how-can-we-prevent-thermal-labels-from-fading/?srsltid=AfmBOooyEOu1OL-rMttQYEmfUV9Qg9f-mWA-h32g78__bKR26OisNqM8)

 

Best,

Katerina

 

_______

Katerina Dimitriadou-Shuster

Director, Archival Technical Services

Library Technical Services

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections

2B Carl A. Kroch Library

Cornell University

(607) 255-2311

ad...@cornell.edu

 

 

 

From: 'Sarit Hand' via Archivesspace_Users_Group <Archivesspac...@lyrasislists.org>
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2025 11:23 AM
To: Archivesspace_Users_Group <archivesspac...@lyrasislists.org>
Cc: Nicole Davis <NDa...@museumofflight.org>
Subject: [ArchivesSpace Users Group] Re: barcoding

 

Hi Nicole,

Nicole Davis,  (She/Her/Hers) | Supervisory Archivist The Museum of Flight 9404 East Marginal Way S Seattle, WA 98108 Work: +1 (206) 768-7215 www.museumofflight.org

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