Andrea Mugnier wrote:
> "We are trying to find an efficient way to integrate acessioning and
> cataloging documentation systems for what have previously been separately
> maintained archives, library, and museum object collections. Our goal is to
> be able to consolidate accessioning, cataloging, and inventory records  for

I can tell you that Mr Will's answer was very accurate as to what to
look for in a comprehensive CMS.  The Mariners' Museum decided in 1993
to implement just such a system, and chose Re:discovery Software's
museum package (also called Re:discovery). It was created to be
adaptable for Libraries, Archives, and collections at the same time, to
the extent that all of their holdings data can be searched either
isolated or together (user choice). In addition, the books can be
imported or entered in MARC format (which  >95% of libraries use) all
the while the collections records are in their "custom" format.
Linkages are made between fields so that Photographer in one section is
likened to Author in another an Artist in another. All can be internally
assigned the MARC field label for author -and display and print as
desired.

The only other advantage I am going to mention is the importance for
library holdings to be catlogued using LCSH (Lib Congress Subject
headings) while it most likely will not fit well with photographs or
artifacts - which might be better suited to the Getty's Art and
Architecture Thesaurus (AAT). We have adopted both, but our software
system allows every item to be catalogued using an unlimited number of
thesauri - even custom ones only used in your institution - so that your
staff can easily find things they are in search of. And isn't that the
goal anyway! This way, you implement current standards now, and later,
when new standards or ideas arise, you add additional cataloging to the
existing records, making them "findable" in a number of ways (computer
term for this is multiple access points, and is highly desireable).

Hope this helps - feel free to email me directly or call if you more
information is desired.

INFO IN ADVANCE
---------------
Re:discovery Software phone is (804) 977-0641 in Charlottesville,
Virginia.
I am sure they will FAX or mail you a current client list for you to
investigate further.

--
 Mark Friedman                       "The fights are so vicious
 Manager of Information Systems       because the stakes are so
 The Mariners' Museum                 low."
 (757) 591-7756 VOICE                 (757) 591-7312 FAX
 personal email: [log in to unmask]      http://www.mariner.org