[10590] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Non-reproducible barcodes
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Roy Lewis)
Mon Sep 9 20:35:42 1996
Date: Mon, 09 Sep 1996 19:03:12 -0500 (CDT)
From: Roy Lewis <rcl@Onramp.NET>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I was discusing this problem with my spouse and she came up with the
solution that should have been very obvious to me(and others as well). You
can not make a barcode that can not be copied unless they are actually
electronic barcodes. The best solution would be to modify the computer that
reads the barcodes to require a verification for any High Priced or valuable
item. This could require a manual input for any potential theft item. Of
course you would have to go through the collection and identify each item in
the collection that needs special care. The computer could require
supervisor override or the operator must type in the title.
Any way the best solution would be to let the computer do the work.
Roy Lewis
At 05:49 PM 9/4/96 -0500, you wrote:
>Please respond directly to the author, not PACS-L. Thanks, Linda
>
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Does anyone know of a source that can supply barcodes that can not be
>reproduced on a laser photocopier? Here at the Universite du Quebec a
>Chicoutimi library we are faced with an ingenious scheme for stealing our
>most valuable and current books: students copy the aforementioned books's
>barcodes on a high definition photocopier. They then borrow these books,
>paste the copied label on another book that does not interest them, and
>that is still in the library, and put the latter in the book-return chute.
>If the loan-desk personel doesn't check every book against the information
>on the loan terminal screen (which is relatively time-consuming), the book
>first borrowed (the expensive one) is considered returned and we lose trace
>of it for who knows how long.
>
>We have tried every trick to try to stop this scheme, but we feel that the
>simplest way would be to buy non-reproducible barcodes; we have not yet
>been able to find a supplier for them.
>
>Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
>
>Serge Harvey, Head, Information services.
>
>Please answer directly to me, at the following address:
>
>sharvey@uqac.uquebec.ca
>
>
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