Julian

We flirted with the idea of barcodes in the late 1980s.  My predecessor
had barcodes printed for a large part of our archaeology/architectural
stonework collection and purchased some barcode readers.  Unfortunately
the project was not well planned and we never reached a stage where the
barcodes were actually used although many were stuck to objects and
boxes.   The main reasons for the failure were:

- There was no link between the barcode reader software and the
collections management software
- The organisations IT infrastructure was not ready 
- There was no acceptable way to attach the barcodes to many objects (in
fact a large proportion of the barcodes which were attached have since
fallen off)

We have no plans to try again with barcodes or Rfid tags largely because
the upfront investment in infrastructure and staff time is would be so
massive that it would never get approval (a bit like the Stonehenge
Tunnel).

Trevor Reynolds
Collections Registrar
English Heritage 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ
postal address English Heritage 1 Waterhouse Square, 138 Holborn, London
EC1N 2ST
Telephone +44 (0) 207 973 3482

-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Julian Tomlin
Sent: 12 December 2007 08:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Reviewing Machine Readable Labelling Systems - barcodes, rfid
tags etc

[Apologies for cross-posting]

I have been appointed as a consultant by the London Museums Hub to 
undertake a review of machine readable labelling systems in collections 
management and access in museums, libraries and archives (focusing 
mainly on museums). The results will be published in the form of a 
report and this is expected to contain four case studies.

I would be grateful if colleagues could contact me, on or off list, to 
share their experience of these technologies. I am interested in past, 
current and future applications, in the UK and abroad, and good and bad 
experiences.

I am building a database of institutions that have used, or are planning

to use barcodes and rfid tags to monitor object movements and enhance 
visitor access. Initial research has identified well-documented trials 
at the Great North Museum, Newcastle and the Petrie Museum, London 
amongst others.

I understand that it is a busy time of year so just a brief response for

now would be great, and I can contact you again in January.

Many Thanks

Julian Tomlin

-- 
Julian Tomlin | 146 Heaton Moor Road | Stockport | SK4 4LB | United
Kingdom

T: +44 (0) 161 443 1398 | M: +44 (0) 7974 001976 | E: 
[log in to unmask] | W: www.juliantomlin.com

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