Hi Mark,
I am with Kristie here, it is MUCH easier to use the nomenclature that is
already built into PastPerfect (especially if you are cataloging man made
objects).
We attempted to cross reference our PastPerfect records with our OPAC and it was
a disaster. Even with the EZMarc system offered by PastPerfect it was still a
total nightmare. The Marc fields for the OPAC do not map over well at all with
regards to objects and images. Archives are easier because the Library of
Congress system (which is was an OPAC uses) has considered archives and has Marc
tags already in place.
It would be much easier for you to stick up PastPerfect and then go from there.
If you want to have the collection on line, I would suggest you upgrade to at
least version 4.0 and get the virtual exhibit module that PastPerfect has
available.
If you want to know more about our experiences, please feel free to contact me
off the list.
Thanks,
Rosie Cook
Registrar and Assistant Curator
The Chemical Heritage Foundation
________________________________
From: Mark Turdo <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Mon, October 18, 2010 11:49:30 AM
Subject: Objects, OPAC, and PastPerfect
Greetings All,
I am working on a project to enter 100 years' worth of collections information
into our PastPerfect database. Along with that we're trying to standardize our
approach to the database including how we organize and search information.
One of the questions that has come up is how best to use the search terms field
to help link related items within the collection. In the past we have used
proper nouns in the search terms field (e.g. American Red Cross) to link
objects, archival materials, books, and photographs together. However, it's
recently been suggested that using an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) would
be better. The argument for this approach is that it would standardize the
copious terms we have for the same things (some localities have several
spellings each used at different times), it would bring our database in line
with the local library's database (who also has a local history book
collection), and ultimately it might bring us in line with other collecting
agencies when all of our collections information is fully available online and
we're operating under web 3.0 (which may or may not be a ways off).
In researching this possibility I have found that museums are using OPAC for
their library and archival collections, which makes sense since it was designed
for those collections. However, I have not found OPAC is also being used to
search object and photographic collections. In fact I haven't seen any
discussion of a generally accepted approach to object catalogs and search terms.
Each institution seems to create their own.
Is anyone using OPAC for all of their collections (beyond just books and
manuscripts)? Are there are any reasons not to use OPAC for object collections?
How does your museum organize and use the search terms field, if at all? Is
there a generally accepted approach to search terms?
Any help you could offer would be most appreciated.
Thanks In Advance,
Mark A. Turdo, IMLS Project Manager
Andover (MA) Historical Society
========================================================= 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).
|
