A cost-effective approach to barcode implementation in libraries: A case study of glabels at sankar polytechnic college library

Libraries are increasingly adopting information and communication technologies to enhance their services. To ensure all libraries can benefit, regardless of budget, this study highlights gLabel, a freely available open-source tool for barcode label development. The purpose of this paper is to promote gLabel for low-budget libraries by exploring its features, installation process, and practical application. Through a case study of its implementation at Sankar Polytechnic College Library from June 2019 to June 2024, this research analyzes the software's effectiveness over a significant period. The study demonstrates how barcodes, generated using gLabel to encode accession numbers and decoded with scanners, streamline routine library tasks such as circulation, book searching, and shelf rectification, leading to faster and more efficient workflows, including stack verification. Furthermore, this paper briefly discusses the features of the latest version of gLabels.