Barcode Validation Settings Wizard

For systems that are configured for custom barcode validation, libraries may use the Barcode Validation Settings wizard to define barcode subformats, as defined in the Barcode Validation policy, to be used for abbreviated barcode search and input and also auto-generation of user and item IDs.

The Barcode Validation Settings wizard allows you to do the following.

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Define the default barcode prefix for item and user IDs – The prefixes defined must follow the validation rules set in the barcode subformats defined for the library. By defining the prefix for user and item IDs, you may enter only the significant digits of the barcode to retrieve the user or item record. You may also include an x or ? wild card character for the check digit to auto-calculate the check digit on-the-fly using the defined barcode validation rules (defined by the barcode subformat).

For example, barcode 326050024312 could be entered as just 5002431x or 50024312.

Note: The ability to enter abbreviated user and item barcodes is supported only in the circulation wizards and the cataloging wizard, Global Item Modification. The circulation helpers, including User Search and Item Search and Display, are not affected by this change.

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Define the barcode subformats used by the library to validate the barcodes – The selected barcode subformats are used to determine how the check digit is calculated. The defined barcode subformat is also used to auto-generate IDs when creating user or item records. (This occurs only if auto-generate ID properties are configured in circulation wizards, such as New User Registration and Add Brief Title, and in cataloging wizards, such as Add Title and Add Item. Also, a custom autoids file must be configured in the /Unicorn/Autoids directory on the server.) The list of available barcode subformats is limited to the subformats defined in the Barcode Validation policy (see Barcode Validation Wizard) for the system.

Note: The ability to auto-generate IDs using valid barcode subformats is supported in the circulation and cataloging wizards only.

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Define the character used as a wildcard for the check digit – This is the digit you enter for the check digit. This allows the system to auto-calculate the check digit using the rules defined in the selected barcode subformat.

Note: The ability to auto-generate IDs using valid barcode subformats is supported in the circulation and cataloging wizards only.

For more information see FAQs: Barcode Validation Settings.

Click the Barcode Validation Settings wizard to specify the barcode validation settings. These settings will stay in effect for the circulation wizards during your client session. These settings can also be saved to the properties file for use in the next client session.

Behavior Tab

The Behavior tab displays the following fields.

Default Barcode Prefix

In the User ID field, type the library’s barcode prefix for user IDs. In the Item ID field, type the library’s barcode prefix for item IDs. The prefix defined for user IDs and item IDs needs to follow the selected barcode subformat policy for the library.

Barcode Format

From the drop-down lists, select the barcode subformat for user IDs and item IDs. Only the subformats defined in the Barcode Validation Wizard for the system will display in the drop-down list. The Barcode Validation policy defines which subformats are used for barcode validation.

Check Digit

Indicate the wild card character to be used for the check digit. Click either the ? or x radio button.