Question: Is there a standard library barcode identification system?
Answer: The short answer is "no". There are many barcode registries, including one called the "National Barcode Registry". However, this registry only contains a fraction of all library barcodes in the United States and Canada, mostly those libraries that formerly used a system called GEAC, which is now maintained by Infor. You can still obtain a new, unique prefix assignment from this company, but you need to call them, as the service is not available online.
There are several types
of barcodes in use in libraries, as well as
RFID.
In most libraries, the first digit of the barcode
indicates whether the code is for a patron or an
item. The next4 digits are the library
identifier. Since there are only 9,999 variations
to this 4 digit ID, and there are many more
libraries than that in the US alone, there is
bound to be some overlap of these codes.
Helen
Benzonia Public Library