I agree with Giles' opinion that your regular handheld barcode scanner is sufficient for 95% of use cases and it's a very simple machine -- brand means almost nothing. If the issue is cost, when I wanted one for scanning my own home collection I got a used library barcode scanner (Symbol 1908T-X) on eBay for $9 (+$20 shipping) and then looked up the manual online to customize the settings. > Riesner, Giles W. <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > July 1, 2014 at 3:42 PM > Riley, > > Basically ANY barcode scanner would work for you. Barcode scanners > simply read in data as though it was typed in from a keyboard. > What matters is that you have the symbologies you need enabled. > Library barcodes tend to be Codabar (which is not always enabled > by default), while stores often use UPC/EAN (which is usually > enabled). And the barcodes for our students and staff at the College are > in Code 128. If you can attach the barcode reader to a laptop and scan > the barcodes into a blank text file, then it's enabled. > > If you grab a copy of the manual for the barcode reader you can see > how to program in any prefixes or suffixes you need and > more - things like being able to tell which symbology is being used. > > If all you're doing is scanning in barcode numbers to say that this > piece of equipment is here, you don't even need a special > program, just a text file that can be imported into Excel. We do > something similar and upload data to our library system to update > the inventory of our collection at the various Branches. > > There are indeed apps for Android and IOS devices that might enable > you to use a phone to do it too. > > Just my .02 worth. > > Regards, > > > Giles W. Riesner, Jr. | Lead Library Technician , Library Technology > The Community College of Baltimore County | 800 South Rolling Road | > Catonsville, MD 21228 USA > Phone: 1-443-840-2736 | Fax: 1-410-455-6436 | Email: [log in to unmask] > CCBC. The incredible value of education. > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf > Of Riley Childs > Sent: Monday, June 30, 2014 9:24 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: [CODE4LIB] Barcode scanner > > I am trying to find a barcode scanner that i can do inventory with, I > was looking at the KDC20, but it is a tad out of my price range, what > barcode scanner do you like? I have a Metroset Voyager (Honeywell > branded) that i like, but am trying to see what others have and get > some better suggestions. > > Riley Childs > Student > Asst. Head of IT Services > Charlotte United Christian Academy > (704) 497-2086 > RileyChilds.net > Sent from my Windows Phone, please excuse mistakes > Riley Childs <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > June 30, 2014 at 9:23 PM > I am trying to find a barcode scanner that i can do inventory with, I > was looking at the KDC20, but it is a tad out of my price range, what > barcode scanner do you like? I have a Metroset Voyager (Honeywell > branded) that i like, but am trying to see what others have and get > some better suggestions. > > Riley Childs > Student > Asst. Head of IT Services > Charlotte United Christian Academy > (704) 497-2086 > RileyChilds.net > Sent from my Windows Phone, please excuse mistakes -- Ruth Collings Web Librarian ruthcollings.ca <http://ruthcollings.ca>