This document is composed of two parts. Part one provides some basic conceptual information about barcodes in general. Part two presents answers to questions concerning the use of barcodes on patron ID cards and barcode numbers in patron records for both the current ILLINET Online system and the DRA system. The questions and concerns in part two have been selected for their relevance to a general ILCSO audience. New, important questions continue to come in, so this document is likely to evolve.



Part One: General Barcoding Concepts

Concept 1: A barcode represents a series of characters.

A barcode consists of a series of parallel bars and spaces that represent numbers, letters, and/or other characters like "$" and "/". A helpful analogy is Morse code-the defined series of long and short pulses used to transmit telegraph messages. In Morse code the sender and receiver both know that a certain combination of short and/or long pulses represents a particular letter. In barcodes, every character has a distinct representation in a combination of wide and narrow bars and wide and narrow spaces and the barcode scanner is able to translate this back into the characters that these bars and spaces represent. A barcode "alphabet" is called a "symbology."

Concept 2: There are several barcode symbologies.

Some of the confusion about barcodes is due to the fact that there are several different barcode symbologies. Most people frequently encounter the "UPC" (Universal Product Code) symbology, as this is what is used on the products we buy at most retail stores. There are several other symbologies including Codabar, Code 39, EAN, Code 93, Code 128, and Postnet (used by the U.S. Postal Service.) For each symbology, there is a predefined pattern of bars and spaces that represents each character it supports, but, this pattern is different across symbologies. In other words, the digit "2" is represented by a different pattern of bars and spaces in Codabar than in Code 39.

Concept 3: There are pros and cons for the various symbologies.

Not all symbologies are suitable to all tasks. Some symbologies support more characters than others. Code 128, for example, can represent any ASCII character. UPC supports digits only. Codabar and Code 39 fall between these two in degrees of support. Codabar supports 0-9, and the characters "-$:/.+". Code 39 supports all of the characters supported by Codabar and also A-Z and a space. To allow for support of these additional characters, each individual character is larger in Code 39 than in Codabar. Code 39 represents characters by using combinations of 5 bars and 4 spaces; Codabar uses 4 bars and 3 spaces. Thus, Codabar labels are generally shorter than Code 39 labels­p;this can be an advantage where space is a concern. Various industries have adopted various symbologies as either their official or de facto standard. UPC is a retail standard in the U.S., Code 39 is the Department of Defense's standard and is also used for auto parts, Codabar is the standard for blood banks and is very common in library circulation systems.

Concept 4: The symbology can be self-checking or not.

Several of the barcode symbologies are considered to be "self-checking." This means that the barcode has a particular format that helps the barcode reader determine that it has read the entire barcode. Codabar and Code 39 are both examples of self-checking symbologies. (One barcode symbology confirmed as being not self checking is called "Plessey," but there may be others.) Both Codabar and Code 39 formats include defined "start" and "stop" characters that tell the reader that it has read the entire label. This prevents, for example, a scanner misreading a label that has been partially removed from the item. If the self checking test fails, the scanner will beep or otherwise alert the operator that the label was not read. You have probably experienced this at the grocery store when there is moisture on the glass cover of the scanner. This self check is not done in the application (e.g., the library circulation system or grocery store inventory system) but in the physical scanner itself.

Concept 5: The characters represented by the barcode can include a check digit.

Another level of verification can be provided by using a pre-defined mathematical formula to calculate a "check-digit" for the data represented by the barcode. This check digit then typically becomes the last digit represented in the barcode. When the barcode is scanned or typed, the system (e.g., the library automation system) does the same calculation on the barcode and compares the check digit it just calculated against the one that was entered. If these numbers match, the system has at least proven that the string of numbers entered fits its expected barcode format. If the check digits do not match, the operator probably sees an error message from the application saying something like "invalid barcode number." The application software must be programmed to expect a check digit and must use the same mathematical formula used to calculate the check digit when verifying the check digit. If the application software is not able to perform check digit calculations, the check digit will be treated just as any other character in the barcode. In other words, an application that does not verify check digits can still read barcode labels that have check digits, but it will then simply look for a matching number in its files. If barcode labels do not include check digits, it is likely that the numbers represented by the barcodes are simply sequentially assigned and so any number of the right length could be a valid barcode number. Thus, without check digits, there is a much greater likelihood of entering a wrong barcode number (particularly when manually typing the number) that is actually in the database but assigned to a different person, item, etc. Check digits are most useful when barcode numbers are entered by hand, as it is much more likely for a person to mistype a number than for a barcode reader to misread a number. There are a variety of formulae that can be used to calculate check digits; the one ILCSO is recommending to its libraries is called "Mod 10, left to right."

Concept 6: Scanners "care about" symbology; Applications "care about" numbers.

The ILCSO Office has heard several people mistakenly say that the DRA system is "requiring" Codabar labels on items and patron IDs. This is not true. The DRA system is only aware of the number that the barcode represents, not the symbology in which it is printed. Only the scanners used to read the barcodes "care about" what symbology is used to print the barcode. Most scanners are able to read a variety of symbologies without being reconfigured between reads. The DRA system is really only concerned about the number that the barcode represents. The ILCSO Office has told DRA that our barcodes will represent 14 digit numbers, that barcodes for items will include a 4 digit number that identifies the ILCSO library that owns the item, that barcodes for patrons may include this 4 digit identifier for the library that has granted the ID to the person, and that some of our barcodes will include check digits. As not all of our libraries have used check digits as part of the 14-digit number, the DRA system will look up the 4 digit institution code to see if it does or does not include a check digit.


Concept 7: Barcodes can be "dumb" or "smart." This is independent of their symbology or check-digit configuration.

It probably goes without saying, but a barcode can be self checked by the scanner and have its check digit validated by the application, but it also must be on file in the correct record in the database to be useful. There are two basic approaches to barcoding library collections. In one approach the library buys labels in bulk and, as they apply the labels to the items, library staff create a record in the database that associates the barcode number on the label with the item. These labels are often called "dumb" labels as they do not represent any specific item or person until this information is entered into the database. The other approach is to perform a computerized "sweep" through the online catalog and automatically assign a barcode number to each item. The new barcode number, and other information about the item such as its title and call number, are then written to a file that is sent to a barcode vendor. The vendor then produces labels which include the title (and other information, if desired) as well as the barcode number that has been assigned to the item. Library staff then match these labels up to the correct items. The labeling process chosen by the library does not imply either the symbology of the barcode, or the format of the barcode number.

Other Resources for Information

Here are some other sources on the Web found to be useful in learning more about barcodes:
http://www.faxon.com/Standards/barcode/barcoderg1.html
http://www.adams1.com/pub/russadam/barcode1.html
http://www.techexpo.com/WWW/visionshape/toolkit.html#intro
http://www.mgfx.com/


Part Two: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where do we ask questions?
A:

• newio-l@listserv.uic.edu is an excellent place to pose questions which might be of general interest about ILCSO's migration to DRA. To subscribe to newio-l send an e-mail note to listserv@listserv.uic.edu containing the line sub newio-l your name
• Any ILLINET Online user can feel free to direct questions to the ILCSO Office at fora or other meetings, via e-mail to oncall@listserv.ilcso.uiuc.edu, or via phone at 217-244-7593. Likewise, any IO user can feel free to report problems to the UI-AITS Help Desk or to the ILCSO Office as appropriate. If the answer to a question needs to be discussed locally, or if the resolution to a problem needs to be coordinated locally, we may refer you back to your Operations Representative.
• Note that these procedures will remain in place after DRA has been implemented. It will not be necessary or appropriate for ILLINET Online users to contact the DRA Help Desk directly.

Q: Do I have to use patron barcodes in either current IO or for the new DRA system?
A:

• No. Both systems will work without a separate patron barcode number, as long as the Social Security Number (SSN) is stored in the patron record.
• The SSN can be typed in the patron ID input field of MILO's barcode circulation module for use in the current system.
• The SSN can also be typed into an input field in the DRA circulation client. The DRA system assumes a patron barcode will be present in most transactions, however, so typing the SSN may require the staff member to click on a different button or enter the data in a different field on the screen. In other words, the DRA system is designed to work with both patron and item barcode numbers; using the system without these numbers is considered a "work-around" and may not be as smooth as transactions that do utilize barcodes. The DRA circulation client is not fully developed at this time, so definitive information on exactly how circulation transactions are performed without patron or item barcode numbers is not yet available.

Q: What is the ILCSO standard format for patron barcodes?
A:

• The ILCSO Office recommends either of two types of patron barcode formats: patron type 1 or patron type 2. Both formats are 14-digit numbers. Both formats will be functional in the new DRA system that ILCSO will implement. See the discussion below about the advantages and disadvantages of each type of barcode format.
• Patron type 1 barcodes include the Social Security Number as part of the barcode number itself. The first digit of these barcode numbers is the number "1." This is followed by the 9-digit SSN. The last four digits can be used however the local library wishes, for example, to accommodate a "card issue number." Libraries should make every attempt to ensure consistency in how they define the last four digits of type 1 barcodes (e.g., the digits always represent randomly assigned numbers, or specific digits such as "1234," or a card issue number such as "0001," or three digits and a check digit, etc.).
• Patron type 2 barcodes use a number that does not have to be the Social Security Number. The first digit of patron type 2 barcodes is the number "2," followed by the library's four-digit barcode institution code. The remaining nine digits identify the individual patron.
• The barcode institution code for each ILCSO library can be found in the ILCSO Directory. In most cases, it is the same code that the library uses for its item barcodes. If the library has multiple barcode institution codes, the library should use their originally-assigned, main library code on patron barcodes. Questions about which institution code to use for patron barcodes should be directed to the ILCSO Office.
• It is strongly recommended that all patron ID cards display an eye-readable patron ID number in addition to a barcode number, so that patrons and staff can easily enter the ID number when a barcode scanner is not available. For example, patrons who want to see what items they have charged in the new DRA system will be required to enter an ID number and personal identification number (PIN) to gain access to this function. Having the ID number in human-readable form on the ID card will greatly facilitate this access.

Q: Do all ILCSO libraries have to use the same barcode symbology?
A:

• The ILCSO-recommended symbology for both item barcode labels and patron ID barcode labels is Codabar. It is best to use the same barcode symbology on your patron ID cards as the symbology used on your item barcodes. That way, you can be sure that your current and future scanners can read both item and patron barcodes without needing any special programming.
• Some ILCSO libraries have used the Code 39 symbology on their items and patron IDs. Many barcode scanners can read both Code 39 and Codabar without having to be re-programmed. This ability will be useful once the DRA system is implemented in order to "track" items that are sent between ILCSO libraries on interlibrary loan.

Q: What is the difference between barcodes for patrons and barcodes for items?
A:

• In ILCSO libraries, barcode numbers for items begin with the number "3" while barcode numbers for patron records can be either type 1 or type 2 (see previous question for more detail).
• Scanners read the barcode numbers, then the underlying applications (MILO and the DRA system) use those numbers to perform various functions. As part of our profiling process for the DRA system, the barcode practices for each ILCSO library will be identified to the system (i.e., identify which patron barcode format is used, whether the barcodes include a check digit, etc.)

Q: What are some pro's and con's to the two types of patron barcode formats recommended for ILCSO libraries?
A: There are several factors that libraries should take into consideration when deciding which of the two patron barcode formats to use:

Advantages to using Patron type 1 barcodes:

• In the current ILLINET Online, patron type 1 barcodes are recognized by MILO as such and circulation transactions are processed using only the Social Security Number. In other words, when MILO sees the number 1 as the first digit in the patron input field, it knows the next nine digits are the SSN and performs the circulation transaction using that SSN, ignoring the last 4 digits of the barcode number. No check of the patron barcode file takes place or is necessary. This means the library does not need to do any additional data input into the barcode file to use patron type 1 barcodes in the current system.
• Using patron type 1 barcodes means the institution does not need to create and maintain a patron ID number separate from the SSN.

Disadvantages to using Patron type 1 barcodes:

• We do not yet know if the DRA clients will be able to recognize the type 1 patron barcode as an SSN, as MILO does now. If the DRA system does not perform this functionality, it means that patron type 1 barcode numbers (i.e., the full 14-digit number that includes the number 1, plus SSN, plus 4 other digits) will need to be included as a data element in the patron record once the DRA system is implemented. This would be a requirement for patron type 1 barcodes in the DRA system that is not present in the current system. If this turns out to be the case, the ILCSO Office will inform libraries of this as soon as possible. The ID cards themselves would not need to be replaced (unless the library/institution chooses to do so), but the institution would need to be prepared to have the type 1 barcode number added to the appropriate data field in patron records in the DRA system.
• Patron type 1 barcodes do not reflect the institution with which the patron is affiliated. This may have an impact on functionality such as default location filtering (i.e., scoping) when users access the system from outside the library, default pickup location for items, and access to the proper electronic resources (i.e., IBIS databases) for the patron's institutional affiliation.

Advantages to using Patron type 2 barcodes:

• The Social Security Number does not need to be printed on the ID card. This may address the privacy concerns at some institutions surrounding the display of SSNs on ID cards for students and staff.
• The patron's institutional affiliation is reflected in the barcode number. This may improve functionality in areas such as default location filtering, default pickup location for items, access to the proper electronic resources (i.e., IBIS databases), and support for multiply-affiliated patrons (i.e., patrons who are simultaneously enrolled at or employed by more than one ILCSO institution). In our current system, a patron can have only one institutional affiliation. In the DRA system, support for multiple affiliations is planned. We still do not have all the details on how multiple affiliations will be accommodated in the DRA system, but having the campus affiliation included in the patron barcode number will probably be an asset.

Disadvantages to using Patron type 2 barcodes:

• Since patron type 2 barcodes use a number that is different from the SSN, a link between the type 2 barcode number and the SSN in the LCS patron record is necessary. In the current system, this link occurs in the barcode file. When MILO sees the number 2 as the first digit in the patron input field, it checks the barcode file to link the patron barcode number with the appropriate SSN. The circulation transaction is then performed using the SSN.
• The institution must create and maintain patron ID numbers separate from the SSN. The institution must ensure that the same barcode number is not assigned to more than one patron.
• The institution is also responsible for maintaining the barcode file to make this link between the type 2 patron barcode number and the LCS patron record. This can be done at the time an institution's patron data are batch loaded into the current system, or it can be done online in MILO's Patron Maintenance module.

Q: My institution's barcode number on the patron ID is just the Social Security Number, with no number "1" prefix or any other digits. Is this a problem?
A:

• Not a big problem. In the current system, MILO can accept an SSN that is either typed or scanned in the patron ID input field. The DRA system will support circulation based on SSN, whether that number is typed or scanned into the appropriate input field.
• See the previous discussion of the disadvantages to patron type 1 barcodes and institutional affiliations. The same disadvantages apply to using the SSN as the patron ID number, since it also does not reflect the patron's institutional affiliation.

Q: Does my circulation desk scanner need to be programmed differently for patron type 1 versus type 2 barcode numbers?
A:

• No. See Part One, Concept 6 of this document for a discussion about what applications do with scanned numbers. If your library has followed the ILCSO-recommended standards, your scanners should be able to read either type of patron barcode format as well as the barcodes on your items.
• The type of barcode format used by your library (i.e., patron type 1 or type 2) will be included in your library's profiled information for the DRA system. See the ILCSO "Patron Barcode Survey" (May 1997) for details on how to report this information to the ILCSO Office.

Q: How do I include barcode numbers with my patron tapes?
A:

• In order to include barcodes with patron data for batch loading, the library must use the fixed format patron tape. See the document ILLINET Online Patron Tape Specifications for Batch Processing, available from the ILCSO Office, for more information on patron tapes that include barcodes. The barcode number becomes another data element supplied with each patron record. The institution must work with whoever creates the patron ID cards to make sure the correct barcode and eye-readable barcode number get printed on each patron's ID card.
• The standard patron data FTP program does not currently support inclusion of barcode numbers with the patron record, so the institution must use patron tapes if barcodes are to be included in the batch load process. AITS is looking into providing support for patron data FTP with barcodes, but details are not available at this time.

Q: If my campus computing center can't create and maintain barcode numbers for our batch loaded patron records, what can we do if we want to use barcodes on our patron IDs?
A:

• If including barcodes on the patron tape is not an option for your institution, the library could purchase "dumb" patron type 2 barcode labels from a vendor. Then, at the circulation desk, staff can link the patron barcode numbers to the patron record in LCS via MILO's Patron Maintenance module. Using MILO to link the patron barcode number to the LCS patron record means updating records online, one at a time, rather than in batch mode. See section 14 of the ILLINET Online MILO Reference Manual for more information on this procedure.
• We don't know exactly how barcode numbers will be added to patron records in an online process via the DRA circulation client, but that functionality is expected to be present.

Q: So the concept of "smart" vs. "dumb" barcodes is valid when discussing patron barcodes?
A:

• Yes. It is analogous to smart and dumb item barcode labels.
• A "smart" patron barcode label is one whose barcode number is linked to the patron record with behind-the-scenes machine processing of the data. To use smart patron barcodes, the institution must include barcode numbers on their patron tape for batch loading, and then have that barcode number printed on the patron ID card. Some smart barcode patron labels can have more than the ID number printed on them. Discuss these options with the vendor who creates your patron ID cards/labels.
• A "dumb" patron barcode label is one whose barcode number is not pre-linked to any patron record. Several ILCSO libraries have purchased batches of "dumb" patron labels and then they attach the label to the ID card and link the barcode number to the patron record in MILO when the patron comes to the circulation desk.
• The new DRA system will support both smart and dumb patron barcodes.

Q: What happens to existing barcode data when new patron data are batch loaded in the current system?
A:

• In simplistic terms, existing barcode data are updated with the new data included in a batch load. It can be more complicated than that, however, especially because in the current system, the barcode data are stored in MILO's barcode file rather than as part of the patron records in LCS. Patrons changing affiliation between ILCSO libraries further complicates the scenarios.
• The program that batch loads patron barcodes first checks the incoming barcode numbers to verify that the barcode numbers are in the correct format: patron type 2 format, making sure the correct institution code has been used for that library, and that the barcode number is 14 digits with no alphabetic characters.
• There is usually a one day delay between the batch load of LCS patron records and the batch load of the patron barcode numbers into the barcode file.
• If the barcode file does not currently contain a barcode number for a patron, but the incoming data does contain a barcode for that patron, the barcode number for that patron is added to the barcode file. This scenario is likely to occur the first time a library includes barcodes with batch loaded patron data.
• If the barcode file currently contains a barcode number for a patron, and the incoming data contains the same barcode number, the barcode file is updated to reflect the date of the batch load, but the result is no change to the barcode number. This is a common scenario for libraries that have barcoded their patron records, are using the batch load process, and the patron has not changed institutional affiliation.
• If the barcode file currently contains a barcode number for a patron, and the incoming data contains a different barcode number for the patron, the barcode file is updated to reflect the new barcode number if the campus affiliation represented by the barcode number matches the campus affiliation contained in the LCS patron record. This scenario is most likely to occur when the patron has changed institutional affiliation, and both libraries use barcodes for patrons. If the campus barcode does not match the campus affiliation in the LCS patron record, the barcode file is not updated with the incoming data.
• There are instances whereby a patron is a faculty member at library A (which uses patron barcodes), but the patron is also a student at library B (which also uses patron barcodes). When library B loads a batch of patron records, the incoming patron record is not added to LCS because the patron has "higher" privileges at library A. In this scenario, the barcode number from library B is likewise not added to the barcode file because the institution represented by the incoming barcode number (library B) does not match the institution represented by the LCS campus code (library A) as found in the patron record.
• If the barcode file currently contains a barcode number for a patron, and the incoming data does not contain a barcode number for the patron, the barcode file is not updated at all. This is a common occurrence in two different scenarios: (1) patrons who are affiliated with a library that uses "dumb" patron barcodes (i.e., the patron barcode numbers are added via MILO) and the library's batch patron data does not contain barcode numbers; and (2) patrons have changed affiliation from a library that does use patron barcodes to a library that does not use patron barcodes.
• If the library uses the "delete" option when batch loading patron data, the barcode file is unaffected. Even though a patron record in LCS is deleted by the batch load process, any barcode numbers in the barcode file for that patron will remain in the barcode file. If a patron were to try to borrow materials based on such an "orphaned" barcode number, the charge would not be processed because the underlying LCS patron record has been deleted by the batch load process. The DRA conversion specification for patron data states that patron barcode numbers not associated with a Social Security Number will not be converted to the DRA system, so these "orphaned" barcode numbers will "go away" once LCS patron data is converted to the new system.
• ILCSO libraries can update the barcode number online for a patron associated with their institution using MILO's Patron Maintenance module. See section 14 of the ILLINET Online MILO Reference Manual for detailed instructions.

Q: Where can I purchase patron barcode labels?
A:

• Many vendors that print item barcode labels can also print patron barcode labels.
• The ILCSO Office has a list of vendors for both item and patron barcode labels. Contact the ILCSO Office for more information.
• You might want to talk to other ILCSO libraries to discuss vendor performance in this area. The ILCSO Directory contains information for each ILCSO library about the characteristics included on the institution's patron ID cards, including an indication of whether the library's IDs contain barcode numbers.

Q: Is there a standard layout for ID cards for ILCSO library patrons?
A:

• No.
• The ILCSO Directory contains information about the various characteristics found on student and faculty/staff ID cards for each ILCSO library. The characteristics vary widely between libraries.

Q: My campus wants to institute a "universal" ID card, so that the same card can be used anywhere on campus. What should I do?
A:

• If at all possible, try to make sure the library has a mechanism for providing input to this process.
• Make every attempt to use one of the two ILCSO-supported patron barcode formats, or to have the barcode represent the Social Security Number. At some institutions that have universal ID cards, the rest of the campus units use the magnetic stripe on the card while only the library uses the barcode number. At these institutions, the mag stripe may read one number while the barcode translates into the ILCSO patron type 2 format.
• We strongly recommend that any ID card include an eye-readable ID number in addition to a barcode number or mag stripe.

Q: Can we use a magnetic stripe for our patron ID numbers instead of barcodes?
A:

• Yes. Both MILO and the DRA system process the numbers that barcodes or magnetic stripes represent, and aren't really concerned about the form that the scanning equipment takes. See the previous discussions about the format of the number that the mag stripe represents (i.e., patron barcode format types 1 or 2, or the SSN).
• Using a mag stripe reader will require the library to have another piece of equipment at the circulation desk(s). The cabling of multiple input devices to a PC can be tricky, but it is usually achievable.
• If the library does use a mag stripe reader instead of barcodes, it is strongly recommended that an eye-readable version of the patron ID number is printed on the ID card. Since not all ILCSO libraries will have mag stripe readers at their circulation desks, having an eye-readable ID number will greatly facilitate onsite borrowing by your patrons at other ILCSO libraries.

Q: When my campus starts printing barcodes on our patron ID cards, do we have to start using MILO's barcode circulation module at the same time?
A:

• If the patron ID card contains only a patron type 2 barcode number (i.e., no Social Security Number appears on the ID card), then the library will need to begin using MILO for circulation because LCS cannot process transactions with either patron or item barcode numbers. MILO is needed to link the barcode number into the number that LCS can use.
• If the patron ID card contains the SSN somewhere, the library could continue to type the SSN from the card as part of an LCS circulation transaction, using oldio.

Q: When my library starts using patron barcodes, can we stop including the patron's Social Security Number in the patron record itself?
A:
No.

• In the current LCS system, the SSN is a mandatory field and serves as the patron ID number that distinguishes one patron from another.
• In the new DRA system, the SSN does not have to be the "primary" patron ID number, but in order for our consortium to implement the concept of multiply-affiliated patrons, the SSN must still be present in the patron record to "link" the patron's different affiliations. The SSN does not need to be printed on the ID card or be a part of the public presentation of the patron's affiliation, but for full functionality, the SSN will still be required as one of the data elements in the patron record in the DRA system.

Q: Do I need to worry about check digits for my patron barcodes?
A:

• No. MILO does not process check digits on either item barcodes or patron ID barcodes. Check digits are not required for patron barcodes in the DRA system.
• If your library has used check digits as part of the patron barcode number, however, please notify the ILCSO Office as soon as possible so this information can be included in your DRA profile. It is very important that check digit practices be consistent within the same barcode institution code. Just like with item barcodes, the DRA system will be profiled to process or not process check digits for each barcode institution code. If the library has item or patron barcodes both with and without check digits using the same institution code, their DRA profile must be set so that check digits are not processed for that code.

Q: My campus has issued barcode numbers on our patron IDs that do not represent the Social Security Number nor that follow either of the ILCSO recommended formats. Will this be a problem?
A:

• Maybe.
• The reason ILCSO recommends using one of our standard formats or the SSN as the patron barcode/ID number is to assure that no two patrons in the consortium have the same patron number assigned to them. If the patron ID number is not unique, problems may occur when patron records are added to the system by batch loads or online maintenance. We don't have complete information on how the DRA system would handle such situations, but it is best to avoid them in the first place if at all possible.
• Use of standard ILCSO patron barcode formats also facilitates on-site borrowing by your patrons at other ILCSO libraries. If you have had to devise a way for your non-standard barcode numbers to work on circulation terminals in your library, they will likely not work when your patrons borrow materials on-site at other ILCSO libraries.
• Institutions that may have used formats other than the SSN or patron barcode types 1 or 2 should contact the ILCSO Office to describe the patron barcode numbers or format used in your library.

Q: My campus has issued barcode numbers on our patron IDs that do represent the Social Security Number, but there are also hyphens inserted between the portions of the SSN. Will this be a problem?
A:

• For use in the current system, yes this is a problem. MILO will not properly translate a SSN containing hyphens, so these barcodes cannot be used for circulation transactions in the current ILLINET Online.
• We do not yet know if this non-standard format can be supported in the DRA system.

Q: My library is planning to wait to begin using barcodes on our patron IDs until the new DRA system's enhanced patron record is available. When will we receive the specifications for the creation of these patron records?
A: The ILCSO Office and AITS have been working with DRA staff on specifications for patron records and patron batch loader programs, but the specs are still in draft stage at this time. We recognize that libraries and their computing centers will need as much lead time as possible to adopt the new DRA patron record format. We will distribute the final specifications to the ILCSO community as soon as they are available.

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