[Wactclc-alma] Spine-O-Matic

[Thomas, Kirsti]

Heather,

This is really helpful. Thank you to you and Spencer for sharing your expertise!

It will be ok!

Kirsti S. Thomas (Hear my first name<http://namedrop.io/kirstithomas>)
Library Technical Services Manager & Systems Librarian
Seattle Colleges
kirsti.thomas at seattlecolleges.edu



From: Wactclc-alma <wactclc-alma-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> On Behalf Of Heather Jean Uhl
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 16:48
To: WACTCLC Alma Discussion <wactclc-alma at lists.ctc.edu>
Subject: Re: [Wactclc-alma] Spine-O-Matic

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<mailto:huhl at everettcc.edu> | (425)388-9139
[https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DEdOmLCt5oerjk696_GFAcGyS95O8jih&export=download]


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

K

Karen WaitE
SCC Library Circulation Supervisor
509.533.8170
Karen.waite at scc.spokane.edu<mailto:Karen.waite at scc.spokane.edu>



From: Wactclc-alma <wactclc-alma-bounces at lists.ctc.edu<mailto: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<mailto:wactclc-alma at lists.ctc.edu>) <wactclc-alma at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:wactclc-alma at lists.ctc.edu>>; 'Wactclc-alma' <wactclc-alma-bounces at lists.ctc.edu<mailto: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.

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?

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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