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----------------------------Original message---------------------------- We used smart bar-codes as a one-off exercise when we converted from a manual to an automated circulation system. The bar-codes contained: Call. no. [LC] Accession no. Bar-code and item number. The labels were produced automatically by our computer bureau and printed on sheets in LC order [i.e. shelf order]. This meant that, while tedious, the insertion of bar-codes was relatively easy and efficient. All we had to do was go along the shelves sticking them in. For this particular purpose, and because they were generated automatically, the smart bar-codes saved a great deal of time and effort and also served as a stock check of catalogued items. THere were a few problems with the order in which they were printed, particularly where we had pre-fixes e.g. R for Reference, but generally the operation was a smooth one. As a regular part of the processing of a book I do not think they would be cost-effective. All subsequent bar-codes contain only the bar-code item number and are allocated and wanded into the record as part of the technical services process. J. Margaret Shaw Chief Librarian National Gallery of Australia Research Library GPO Box 1150 Canberra ACT 2601 Telephone: 61-(0)2 6240 6532 Facsimile: 61-(0)2 6273 2155 E-Mail: [log in to unmask] url: www.nga.gov.au [under Research] The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Gallery of Australia