Implementers' Guide To Label Printing

Owned by Tara Barnett
Last updated: Dec 10, 2024 by Lola Estelle

Introduction

As of January 2023, these are the main strategies for Label Printing in FOLIO:

  • LIBstick
  • Spine-O-Matic
  • Build a custom solution using APIs
  • Hand-wrangle labels in Word or another program

For more information about Label Printing in FOLIO proper, see UXPROD-1316 - Getting issue details... STATUS

The Options

LIBstick

Used by: Holy Cross, Cairn, Valparaiso Univ.

LIBstick is a popular solution that integrates well with FOLIO.

For a demo of LIBstick, see 2023-02-14 FOLIO Implementers Meeting Notes. (Approximately 8:30-22:00 on the recording.)

Cairn uses LIBstick. See the below presentation from Stephie Kaceli.

Pros:

  • Great support
  • Easy to use
  • Excellent experience setting it up

Cons:

  • Another thing to pay for

SpineOMatic

Used by: TAMU, University of Missouri, Wellesley

SpineOMatic is another popular solution. It relies on middleware to work with FOLIO:

For a demo of SpineOMatic, see 2023-02-14 FOLIO Implementers Meeting Notes. (Approximately  22:00-35:00 on the recording.)

Pros:

  • Does not have a subscription cost
  • Gets the job done and is very customizable

Cons:

  • Challenging for a novice user to set up

Custom Solutions

Used by: University of Chicago

Some libraries make and use custom solutions. For example, the University of Chicago has created a Spine Labeling App (one of many at their organization) which they use to print spine labels. Their app is designed to print individual call number labels via a Zebra thermal printer. Please see the powerpoint presentation below for further information.

For a demo of UChicago's custom solution, see 2023-02-14 FOLIO Implementers Meeting Notes. (Approximately 35:50-42:20 on the recording.)

Pros:

  • Completely custom, therefore meets all the institution's needs

Cons:

  • Maintenance of any custom solution is the library's responsibility
  • Even if the solution is custom, not all users will have the technical background to make desired modifications