Apologies for the inevitable cross-posting, but some of you may find it
interesting

MIDAS - A Manual and Data Standard for Monument Inventories
Published by the Royal Commission on the Historic Monuments of England

MIDAS is set to become the defining framework for records of the
nation s built and archaeological heritage. Developed by experts in
records management, in consultation with a wide variety of  record
holding bodies from across the heritage sector, the manual and data
standard have been written with both the specialist and non-specialist
in mind.

The wealth of the built, buried and maritime heritage means that
anyone reading this manual is unlikely to be more than 200 metres from
a monument of historic or archaeological interest. To interpret what
is known,  to communicate it to society, and to identify and protect
and manage what remains, consistent organised records are needed -
inventories of the nation s monuments that are accessible, useful and
adaptable.

The MIDAS vision is 'sharing the knowledge of England s past'. The
objectives are: To enhance retrieval of information (particularly
automated retrieval) from inventories. To provide a common format for
monument-related inventories, ensuring that important information is
recorded. To promote consistency within a given inventory and between
monument inventories. To facilitate the exchange of information
between inventories. To assist in the migration of inventories from
old information systems to new. To increase the opportunities for the
evolution of inventories, ensuring their survival and relevance as
technologies change.

Reviewers comments
"The section on 'Getting Started' would be of genuine assistance to
anyone setting up a new inventory". Ken Qualmann, Winchester Museums
Service..

"I think in general this is an excellent document which has very
laudable aims". Mike Heyworth, Council for British Archaeology

"...will be very useful to us in setting up our tiles database". Dr
Lynn Pearson, Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society

Published  January 1998  ISBN 1  873592  33  7
131 A4 pages with illustrations, loose-leaf, bound in a  customised
ring-binder. Price stlg10.00 plus stlg2.50 postage and packing

To order contact RCHME Publications by phone on 01793 414618, fax
01793 414769 or email [log in to unmask]


David Dawson                    email: [log in to unmask]
- - - - - - -
Outreach Manager, Museum Documentation Association

NEW ADDRESS - 1 Hitchman Drive, Chipping Norton, OX7 5BG Telephone 01608 645576

MAIN MDA OFFICE - Jupiter House, Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JD
Tel: (+44) 1223 315760 Fax: (+44) 1223 362521
MDA WEB SITE - http://www.open.gov.uk/mdocassn/index.htm