[Wactclc-alma] Spine-O-Matic

[Heather Jean Uhl]

Hi, everyone.

Our awesome cataloging specialist Spencer Green has kindly become our local
Spine-o-matic expert.  I'm sharing his notes below.

We began using SpineOMatic with our desktop laserjet printers which use
sheets of 40 labels, sized 2" x 7/8" Demco Multipurpose Processing Labels
<https://www.demco.com/demco-reg-gaylord-reg-multipurpose-processing-labels-2-x-910>.
Our desktop printers are HP Laser Jet Pro M404dn.  We have now shifted to
also using single-use Dymo Label Writer 450 Twin Turbo printers using 1" x
2 1/8" labels on 500 label rolls
<https://www.staples.com/DYMO-30336-Multipurpose-Labeling-Tape-Labels-White-Roll-of-500/product_401566.>
.

In terms of physical processing workflows, the batch sheets printers are
better for situations when we have a full cart of books that need spine
labels or for preprinted "Closed Stacks" type labels that all have the same
content. The thermal ink seems to flake off more with our HP printers and
is crisper on the Dymos. Reusing a partially-used sheet of labels with the
HPs provides diminishing returns and we often have partial misprints with
the batch printer and tend to have issues with printing longer call numbers
and them being too long for the label.  The Dymo labels allow us to quickly
print a handful of labels without requiring a full batch of 40 labels and
have been extremely useful in the year or two that we have had them. The
Dymo printers are also compatible with a wide variety of label sizes.


The SpineOMatic API
<https://developers.exlibrisgroup.com/blog/spineomatic-label-printing-software-for-alma/>
is also free to use and has pretty good documentation.  It provided
everything Spencer and I needed for our ongoing tinkering.  After a bit of
initial set-up defining label sizes/margins; creating the configuration
file that guides the creation of call number prefixes for certain
collections; and how you want the call number / date parsed onto the
defined label, the process goes pretty smoothly.

Heather Jean Uhl, Faculty Librarian (pronouns: she / they)
Library Department Chair 2022-2023
Acquisitions & Cataloging Department Supervisor
Everett Community College - Library Media Center
huhl at everettcc.edu | (425)388-9139



On Mon, Apr 17, 2023 at 3:01 PM Waite, Karen <Karen.Waite at scc.spokane.edu>
wrote:

> Me too! I’ve looked into a little bit before, but to have a full
> conversation would be great!
>
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> K
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> Karen WaitE
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> SCC Library Circulation Supervisor
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> 509.533.8170
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> Karen.waite at scc.spokane.edu
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> *From:* Wactclc-alma <wactclc-alma-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> *On Behalf Of *Cara
> Beth Stevenson
> *Sent:* Monday, April 17, 2023 2:54 PM
> *To:* (wactclc-alma at lists.ctc.edu) <wactclc-alma at lists.ctc.edu>;
> 'Wactclc-alma' <wactclc-alma-bounces at lists.ctc.edu>
> *Subject:* [Wactclc-alma] Spine-O-Matic
>
>
>
> I would like to learn more about using SpineOMatic for printing spine
> labels.
>
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> How difficult is it to integrate into book processing procedures? What
> kind of label stock can I use for printing?
>
> Are there any additional costs for using the API?
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> I’m asking because the label stock we have been using is no longer
> available, so we might as well get with the program.
>
>
>
> Cara Beth Stevenson
>
> Library Paraprofessional 3 for Technical Services
>
> John Spellman Library
>
> Grays Harbor College
>
> 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive | Aberdeen, WA 98520 | w:360.538.4057
>
>
>
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