Tip:
Use a barcode scanner for data input.

The issue:
You have a stack of music and media to catalog, and no time to do it.

Solution:
Get the basic data on your music and media input into a computer program such as the Church Musician software, using a handheld barcode scanner. Then come back later and add in the details.

Recommendations:
There are many barcode scanners available in a number of price ranges.

Here are 3 examples:

Example 1 • Example 2 • Example 3

Once you have acquired and hooked up your handheld scanner (they generally plug in to your computer's USB port), use the manufacturer's directions to set it to read UPC-A barcodes, which use a 12-digit, numeric-only number.

Start Church Musician 5 and select "UPC Input Scan" under the "Tools" menu.

Select the library you wish to add the item into, then place the cursor in the UPC Code field and squeeze the trigger on the barcode scanner.

If the item is present in Church Musician's barcode database, the information will be displayed on the screen. Click the "Post" button to add it to the selected library.

Updates to Church Musician's barcode database are released free for registered users to download from the Tempo website when the publishers release new material. Only the information supplied by the publishers can be scanned into the software from the barcode. Some publishers give more information than others. Regardless, this is a timesaver for getting at least the basic information about music or media into the administration software.