Digital Inventory Tool
Link to tool: https://inventory.library.vanderbilt.edu/
The library has developed a digital inventory tool to help automate the process of shelf-reading. This tool works by scanning the barcodes of items in order on a shelf, and the tool will alert you if an item is out of place. In addition, the tool can catch a number of other errors, such as if an item is currently on loan, or in transit, or has an error with its record in Alma.
Video Introduction: Using the Digital Inventory Tool
How to use the digital inventory tool
To use this tool, open the webpage and select the library for which you are shelf-reading. Then, select the specific area where you will be shelf-reading (For example, if you are shelf-reading the main stacks of Central, select Stacks). You may want to prepare a cart with a laptop and barcode scanner to easily navigate the stacks.
Shelf-read using this tool by going through a shelf in order and scanning the barcode of each book. Scanning a barcode will import that item’s information into a table. If a Call Number appears in a red font, that item is out of shelving order, and you can move it to the appropriate location. If a Call Number appears in a blue font, that item is a duplicate copy scanned after a copy of the same item.
If a row appears highlighted, that means that there is an issue with the item beyond it being out of place on the shelf. For example, if the row is highlighted yellow, that item is in the wrong shelving area entirely (it may belong to a different library). You can look at the Legend tab to see all the other things a barcode scan might tell you, such as that the item is checked out or marked as missing.
Consult with your supervisor to determine how they would like you to handle items with the highlighted errors.
Below is the legend of different error types that the inventory tool checks for:
