At 03:30 PM 07/02/1998 -0500, Janice Klein wrote:
>This combination mini-job description is not at all unusual.  Many
>collections managers/registrars who deal with computerized databases are
>their own systems managers and often provide guidance for the entire
>institution.  Take a look at the New Museum Registration Methods (Buck and
>Gilmore, ed), which has a 20 page section on computerized collections
>management for more information.

Janice is absolutely right that it's not unusual.  However, as one who used
to be a collection manager/computer guru myself, I can testify that this is
not the most efficient arrangement, especially once the lab's computer
network expands to include more than a single computer.  In the last year
before our institution finally was able to find the $$$ to create a
separate computer admin position, computer support was soaking up 20 - 25%
of my time, and increasing steadily.  Moreover, it was difficult to give
both sides of my job the sort of concentrated attention they deserved.  It
was a great relief to me when the situation finally changed, and we are
already realizing a good many benefits from the new arrangement.

**********************************************************************
Melissa C. Winans, Senior LAN Administrator ([log in to unmask])
Texas Memorial Museum                   Phone: 512-232-4263, 471-1604
V.P. Lab, J.J. Pickle Research Campus     Fax: 512-471-5973
University of Texas, 10100 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78758-4445