Last week, we learned that a small number of Option 2, Round 1 libraries (the first group to borrow barcode duplicator kits from IHLS) have noticed their barcode duplicates fading or disappearing.

Some libraries have reported scuffing or fading, which is concerning to us. More alarming is that two libraries have found that the ink disappears entirely if the barcode gets wet and then wiped dry.

Regardless of brand, with this kind of label, scrubbing the barcode with chemicals such as hand sanitizer, lotion, or disinfecting wipes will start to break down the plastic. However, water and gentle wiping should not remove the ink, and the barcodes should not be scuffing or fading with regular use.

Our team is investigating the causes of the fading, and we’re working diligently to identify the next steps to resolve this matter. We appreciate your patience as we look into this situation.

To assist in our investigation, we kindly ask that if you have noticed any faded barcodes in your library, please report the details using this form. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us address this issue effectively.

We will provide further updates as soon as we have more information and solutions in place. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.