Lisa:

     Try looking at PastPerfect, which is being marketed by the American
     Association for State & Local History. It costs under $600 and has an
     add-on module for digitizing the collections for under $200. I have
     used it a great deal for primarily historical collections at a museum
     where I volunteer my time, but have also used it for framed works as
     well. I trained a volunteer to use it in under an hour! Their web site
     is: www.museumsoftware.com. It can also be accessed through AASLH's
     site: www.aaslh.org.

     If you have any specific questions about it, don't hesitate to e-mail
     me directly.

     Melissa Heaver
     Director-Museum Collections
     National Trust for Historic Preservation
     202-588-6148
     202-588-6232 (f)
     [log in to unmask]


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Collections mgmt. software
Author:  Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>  at internet
Date:    11/12/98 12:10 PM


I am trying to get some information on varying types of coll. mgmt.
software.  We have a collection of artworks, mostly on paper.  The total
number of objects is in the low thousands.  We'd like something that is
Windows based, with the ability to add digital pictures.  I have
absolutely no experience in this area, but I thought I'd help my
curator  find a few resources.

We are looking for a program that makes data entry as simple as
possible, and one that uses real English when it comes to searching,
etc.  We will only be using the program for collections management, not
for other database needs, therefore a generic database program like
Rbase or Access is not what we are looking for.

Please give suggestions based on programs you use and have had success
with.  Also, names and numbers/ web addresses of contact people would be
exceptionally helpful.

Thanks,

Lisa Goodgame