What do you use as a tape labeling convention?

I'm adding a bunch of new tapes to my tape library system and I'm trying to
think of a good labeling method that can tell me, just by looking at the
label (label in the system vs. looking at the physical label and tape) what
kind of tape it is (LTO1, LTO3, etc.) and when it was added to the system
(May 2009, etc.).

My tape library is configured to automatically label the tape the same as
its barcode.  It's been a challenge to know how old the tape really is.  The
system has passed through many hands over the recent years and tracking this
kind of info has been lacking.  It's hard for me to know if the tapes useful
time has come or is coming to an end.

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

-Tom

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