Glossary¶
Small lexicon of terms used in BibliOfelia.
The different codes: what are they for?¶
BibliOfelia uses several kinds of codes to identify books and members. It is important to distinguish them as they don't serve the same purpose.
Ofelia code (on labels and cards)¶
This is the barcode scanned with the scanner or OfeliaScan. It starts with 290 for a book, or 291 for a member card. It has 13 digits total.
Examples:
2900000000017→ label on a book2910000000444→ card of a member
It is the code BibliOfelia automatically generates when you create a new copy or a new member. It is what is printed on physical labels and cards. It is what is scanned for loans, returns, inventory.
Once printed, this code never changes. If a label or a card is lost, you don't print the same: you create a new one with another code (see Lost book and Lost card).
Internal code (on the book's record, not on the label)¶
Alongside the Ofelia code, each book also has a more readable internal code for the librarian. It has the form OFL-YYYYMMDD-NNNN:
OFL-20260525-0014→ 14th book entered on 25 May 2026
This code appears in BibliOfelia on the copy's record. It quickly tells when a book was registered. It is not printed on the label, but you can type it in search, lending or return — with or without the hyphens.
ISBN-13 (on the book cover, printed by the publisher)¶
This is the 13-digit code that the publisher prints on the back of the book, usually next to a standard barcode. It identifies the title universally.
Example: 9782070612758 → identifies The Little Prince by
Gallimard.
When you create a new record, BibliOfelia queries the OpenLibrary database from the ISBN-13 to pre-fill the title, author and publisher. ISBN-13 is therefore mainly used for cataloging, not for daily lending.
For lending, it is the Ofelia code of the book that is scanned, not the ISBN (a book can have 3 copies: they have the same ISBN, but each has its own Ofelia code).
ISBN-10 (old format)¶
Before 2007, books had a 10-digit publisher code: this is the ISBN-10. You can find it on old books. BibliOfelia accepts both: if you type an ISBN-10, it is automatically converted to ISBN-13.
ISSN (magazines and journals)¶
The ISSN is the equivalent of the ISBN for magazines and journals. On the barcode on the back of a magazine, it starts with 977.
Unlike the ISBN, the ISSN identifies the magazine's title, not a specific issue: every issue of the same magazine shares the same ISSN. BibliOfelia therefore creates a single record per magazine, to which each issue adds a copy. You catalog a magazine like a book, simply by scanning its 977 barcode.
Card number / member number¶
This is the Ofelia code of a member card (prefix 291). Also called "card number" or "member number" — it's the same thing.
Other terms¶
BibliOfelia¶
The library management software, installed on the Ofelia Box. Accessed from any computer or tablet in the library via a web browser.
In-library reading¶
A book read in the library without being borrowed (comic flipped through, dictionary consulted for homework). Can be recorded for statistics. See In-library reading.
Scanner¶
Barcode reader plugged via USB cable into the computer. Behaves like a keyboard: you scan, the code appears in the input field. The fastest tool.
Copy¶
A physical instance of a book. A record can have multiple copies (for example, 3 copies of The Little Prince on the shelves). Each copy has its own Ofelia code. See Manage copies.
Location¶
The aisle or shelf where a book is stored. Identified by a short
code (A1, YOUTH, BD…). See
Locations.
Member¶
A reader enrolled in the library. Has a card with a unique number. Also called user or reader.
Record¶
The descriptive entry of a book (title, author, ISBN…). Independent of physical copies: a record can exist without a copy (book referenced but not yet received) or with several copies (popular book). See Adding a book.
Ofelia Box¶
The small box (a Raspberry Pi mini-computer) that hosts BibliOfelia. Plugged into the library network, it serves the app to all connected workstations. No internet needed for it to work.
OfeliaScan¶
The Android companion app for BibliOfelia. Turns a phone into a scanner for barcodes. See Activate OfeliaScan.
Fine¶
Amount billed by hand from a member profile (reason + amount). BibliOfelia never auto-calculates an overdue fine. See Cash desk and invoices.
Event¶
A session with an audience (story time, workshop). Members present are counted (scan or last 4 digits of the card) and, separately, non-members. See Activities and events.
Closing¶
End of the day's service: activities, till, sends, backup, and on the Box only shutdown. See End-of-day closing.
Cash desk¶
Register of cash in and out, distinct from bank transfers. Till balance, invoices, email queue. See Cash desk and invoices.
Membership fee¶
Annual amount carried by the member category, billed automatically at enrollment and at each renewal. 0 = free. See Fees and member categories.
Loan¶
The borrowing of a book by a member, with a return date. See Lending a book.
Inventory¶
Aisle check: walk the shelves and scan each book to verify it is in the right place. See Inventory.
Reservation¶
A loan request for a book currently unavailable. The member is served first when the book returns. See Reservations.