Some database programs like Re:Discovery allow you purchase an public computer/online database option.  Using the program you can post records of your holdings to a computer that can be accessed by the public in your museum or on the internet via your website.  The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA has something similar on their website that lets you look up their artworks.  Go to www.chrysler.org.  That could be something you could mention to management as far as outreach and public programming.  
 
Meredith Dunham
Curatorial Assistant
 
Virginia Beach Historic Houses
3131 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone: 757-431-4000
Fax: 757-431-3733
Email: [log in to unmask]

________________________________

From: Museum discussion list on behalf of Mary Margaret Carr
Sent: Thu 3/1/2007 10:27 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Database assistance



Good morning colleagues - - 

 

Mount Vernon will soon be starting on a ten year collections management database project and I have two issues I am hoping the list can help with.

 

1)       We need to fund the project, including all of the data entry, researching, digital imaging etc. We are working with the development department on the usual sources of funding, but does anyone have information on lesser known funding sources for this type of project that you would be willing to share?

 

2)       There is always a need to prove the worth of this project in the eyes of management and the board - - does anyone have examples of how your collections management database was successfully used for outreach purposes? What kinds of programming was it and what kinds of audiences were reached? Any information we can use to illustrate how the database is useful for more than collections management functions would be most appreciated.

 

Thank you in advance for any assistance, and please feel free to contact me off-line.

 

Mary Margaret

 

________________________________________________

Mary Margaret Carr

Collections Manager

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens

P.O. Box 110

Mount Vernon, Virginia  22121

703-799-8638

[log in to unmask]

 

 

========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: 

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). 

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). 


=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).