On the subject of database software, we are transitioning from Excel
Spreadsheets to databases for our collections and indexing projects. (I
don't know what made everyone here think that spreadsheets were databases.)
While I'm able to create basic databases in Access in which to input
information, I don't have a clue how to extract it the way I want. I need to
create a patron tracking database and was wondering if anyone else has
developed such a database in-house and if so, what software did you use? Do
you query directly in Access or did you design a separate interface to
extract the information? I would like to be able to track patron visitation
and use of our collections. I also would like to be able to have the program
tell me when someone is already entered into the system and allow me to add
the new details to their existing "account" so to speak.
Is this feasible or am I just dreaming.?
As you can tell, I don't know much about databases. After all, I'm an
historian because I was way too stupid in calculus and organic chemistry to
be an airplane designer. FORTRAN? I couldn't even draw pictures in BASIC on
a Macintosh in 1985.
Yet somehow, I can build and maintain a halfway decent web-site. Go figure.
Any advice would be most appreciated.

Sincerely.

Scott D. Peters
Research Director/Archivist
Ocean County Historical Society
26 Hadley Ave., P.O. Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754-2191
(732) 341-1880
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"Telling the Stories of Ocean County"

Historically Speaking
ALHFAM -FPIPN vice-chair for trivia, errata and miscellany
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"The ordinary distinctions in society are often vague, and imply no just
pre-eminence: rank and titles are
adventitious things and instead of designating merit or virtue, are
frequently the baubles of imbecility, or
the sparkling decorations of meretricious pageantry"

William Griffith, on behalf, and by order of the New-Jersey Society for
promoting the gradual Abolition
of Slavery, Twelfth Month (December) 20th, 1803
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