Considerations for Implementing a Bar Code System in a Museum

Abstract

Bar coding has been used in museums since the early 1990s. Bar codes can increase the efficiency of a collections database and help the museum's staff with a great number of tasks. While many museums have expressed interest in bar code systems, few have implemented them. This article will provide the reader with a starting place for a bar coding project. The reader will have an effective understanding of the common parts of a bar code system and its limitations as well as a basic understanding to assess the feasibility and appropriateness of installing a bar code system in their institution.