Numbering your items

Most libraries will want to track individual copies of items. This lets you keep track of which borrower has which copy. To do this with Readerware there are two requirements:

Adding to your databases

To add each copy to the database separately, simply use auto-catalog as normal and scan the ISBN/UPC on each copy.

There is one change you may have to make first. By default Readerware rejects duplicate ISBNs and UPCs. You change this setting in preferences. Select the Preferences menu item, then Database, then Settings. Make sure that the Allow Duplicates option is checked.


Assigning a unique ID to every copy

As you add each item to the database Readerware assigns it a unique ID, in the loan client we call this the Product ID. You can add the Product ID column to the table view and see the ID assigned to each item.

As you are adding each copy separately, each copy will have a unique ID.

The ID will be unique and will never change. As you delete items from the database, there will be gaps in the ID. This is normal, an ID is never reused.

This is the easiest way to assign a unique ID to every item, let Readerware do it for you. You can then print ID barcode labels for your items from within Readerware.

However there may be times when you want your own IDs. Readerware has a database column for this called User Number. If you prefer you can enter your own IDs in the User Number column. Again, you can then print User Number barcode labels for your items from within Readerware.

There are also companies that will print asset tags and asset barcode labels for you. If you prefer to go this route all you need to do is place the barcode label on the item and then scan it into the Readerware User Number column.


Checking items out

The fastest way to check an item out is to simply scan the Product ID barcode on the item, this identifies the particular copy you are checking out.

If you are using the Product ID column, select an ID search and scan your barcode.

If you have assigned your own numbers, select a User Number search and scan the barcode.

Remember to setup the
default search to whatever ID field you are using.

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