barcoding specimens

[Alan at]

I would like to hear from collections, especially herbaria, that are
barcoding specimens. Particulary I would like to know of experiences (good
and bad) with particular systems to help us here at Michigan State
University Herbarium choose the best system. Information on  vendors and
suppliers for equipment, tags, etc. is also most welcome. Finally, for
those persons with experience, advice on implementing the system (mistakes
to avoid, where to start, etc.) would be most welcome. Our herbarium is
planning to computerize our collections, beginnning with our lichen
specimens, and we need each specimen to have a unique identifier.
Unfortunately we may have overlap in accession numbers because for a time
our cryptogamic and phanerogamic collections operated separately, thus we
need to turn to a new system.

If contributors will send emails to me directly (alan at msu.edu) I will glady
post a summary to Taxacom in the next week or so.



Alan Prather
166 Plant Biology, Wilson Road
Botany & Plant Pathology
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1312

(517) 355-4695
fax (517) 353-1926

alan at msu.edu
http://www.bpp.msu.edu/herbarium/