You're not going to find one universal database program that all
museums are using-- (isn't that the truth!) - not even in the same
institution base.

        within our corporation (the museum of civilization, canadian war
museum, childrens museum and postal museum http://www.civilization.ca/)
there are two seperate and distinct database systems in use. The 3
dimensional artifacts are on a database system that was customized to all of
our needs, and is called KE EMU. The archives and libraries use another
called GEAC or GESICA http://www.civilization.ca:8001/ (same thing), both
are accessable on the web, although with KE EMU the web access
http://www.civilization.ca/membrs/collect/csintroe.html is limited to a
couple of collections. Plus I know that some over at the museum of
civilization were using Access before our conversion to these databases and
I am sure that some are still using it. Both systems were chosen because
they had the potential to be accessed through the web.

        Prior to either of these two systems the Canadian War Museum and the
Museum of Civilization both had our databases resident with CHIN (Canadian
Heritage Information Network) http://www.chin.gc.ca/ we (War Museum)
downloaded new records to CHIN using a database program called DATAFLEX,
while some at the Museum of Civilization used Access to download to CHIN.

        I think the key to what ever system you use is to ensure that your
records are as accurate, and as consistant (in terms of nomenclature) as
possible, and that the database can be adapted to your specific needs, and
still be easy to access.

        I am sure that this is now as clear as mud when it comes to
collections databases there is just not one standard!

        Carol Reid
        [log in to unmask]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tim McShane [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 11:31 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Computer program questions
>
> Dear Taryn;
>
> You're not going to find one universal database program that all museums
> are
> using--the museum community just isn't built that way.  However, most
> modern
> databases (the relational kind, anyway) are fairly similar, and if you
> learn
> how one works, you should be able to pick up on most others fairly easily.
> I have formal training in Access, but I was able to make the transition to
> Oracle and Paradox when my changing duties required it.
>
> As for the choice of Access as a database to learn, I have to say it's
> worked for me!  I've worked with three institutions that have used Access
> for their collections management, and I understand that the British
> Columbia
> Museums Association was for some time (and likely still is, although I'm
> not
> quite sure) advocating the use of Access for museum collections
> management.
> It's not perfect (no database ever is), but I think you would do well in
> learning Access.  As I say, it's worked for me.
>
>
> Tim McShane, Collections Manager
> West Parry Sound District Museum
>
>
>
> ____________________________
> Thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own, and do not
> necessarily
> reflect those of my employer.
>
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