The Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, has been using barcoding for collection location control since 1988. We barcode all our objects, including objects on temporary deposit, as well as our storage locations and object housings such as boxes, mylar sleeves etc. We also barcode exhibition furniture such as showcases, plinths and object supports (these items are recorded in TMS and can be used to put together a comprehensive exhibition contents list).

 

We use an adhesive printed label which we stick to either an inert plastic tag which is tied to the object, or we stick the adhesive printed label directly to the mylar sleeve, envelopes, box or other housing (all our objects are numbered with ink or pencil etc in the usual manner).  Our standard barcode labels display only the object number,  its barcode and the museum’s logo. They measure 38 mm x 20 mm on a plastic tag of 65 mm x 25 mm. We also print more detailed labels in a variety of sizes for boxes etc . These might include a title, brief description and image pulled from the database.

 

We use BarTender label printing software for bulk label production (http://www.seagullscientific.com/aspx/welcome.aspx) on Avery adhesive labels using a standard HP colour laserjet printer. BarTender works rather like Crystal and can connect directly to TMS as the data source or to some other data source such as Excel. For simple one off labels such as replacements we use a Dymo label writer printer. We occasionally have to replace a label which has peeled off, but this is pretty rare and some of our labels are now over 20 years old.  

 

Barcoding over such a long period has enabled us to have excellent object location records and comprehensive location histories. I highly recommend it and would be happy to answer any other questions you have about barcoding in a museum context.

 

Regards, Sally

 

 

We at the St. Catharines Museum have just within the past year implemented barcoding.  We are using the barcode module with TMS along with label matrix and Zebra designer.  Zebra designer allows you to design various different labels for different purposes.  Our printers are also Zebra but are the TLP 3844-Z.  Our registrar did some extensive research on what the best type of label would be.   He chose the Z-Ultimate 3000T.  These labels are plastic so they will not tear and are good in temperatures to - 40 degrees.  We use these labels in conservation projects where artifacts must be placed in freezers.  They are also fade resistant and can be used outdoors.  They come in various sizes.  We chose 1"x2" for basic barcodes but also purchased 4"x6" for box labels.  In regards to how we are using them; we use hang tags on all artifacts and stick the barcode label directly to the tag.  We have been barcoding all storage materials, from hollinger boxes to envelopes upon receiving shipments.  This makes it easier for us to control inventory but also makes the process of packing artifacts and storing them much quicker. Once boxes are packed, staff can simply scan the barcodes and the locations can be loaded into TMS.  We have also barcoded every single shelf and drawer in the museum.

 

From personal experience, the barcode module in TMS is fantastic.  It makes moving large groups of objects very simple and much quicker than manually moving everything.  If there is any further information we can provide you, let me know.

 

Thanks,

 

From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Chad Petrovay
Sent: June 10, 2010 4:40 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Barcoding Label Stock

The Musical Instrument Museum is interested in implementing a barcoding project using archival hangtags for objects and adhesive labels for crates and archival storage boxes. We currently own a Zebra ZM400 printer which we hoped to use for the purpose of printing these. I am currently working on sourcing the label stock, and am interested in the experiences of any other museums that have implemented (or are implementing) similar projects.

 

1.       Are you using hangtags or adhesive labels?

2.       What kind of label stock are you using?

3.       Who is your vendor for this stock?

4.       Did your conservation staff approve the label stock?

5.       If you are using adhesive labels – how long do anticipate the adhesive binding the label to the crate/box/etc?

 

Many thanks in advance for your responses, and my apologies for cross posting this.

 

 

Chad Petrovay  |  Collections Database Administrator
MIM—Musical Instrument Museum | 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard  | Phoenix, AZ 85050
480.478.6000 main  |  480.478.6058 direct | 480.471.8690 fax  | www.themim.org

 

 

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